By Mark Squibb
Although most municipalities don’t pass a budget until early or mid December, the Town of Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove were on the ball ahead of the others again last month and approved a balanced budget of $1.3 million for 2026 that will see no tax increases.
Residential and commercial property taxes will hold steady at 7.2 and 10 mils respectively, while the commercial business tax will remain at 13 mils.
The new tax structure will introduce a new by-law violation fee. Those who go afoul of it will be charged $50 for the first offense and $100 for the second offense.
The budget also included an increase in councillor remuneration based on the Town’s two percent fixed revenue regulations. All told, $25,600 has been earmarked for council renumeration to be shared among the members, along with $2,000 for travel.
The Town has budgeted $672,820 for general government, the biggest single expense category. General government includes everything from salaries, benefits, supplies, and insurance, to professional services and general maintenance.
The next largest expense is transportation services in the amount of $303,000, most of which is for snow clearing at $188,000. Other expenses include vehicle maintenance and street maintenance.
The Town has budgeted $94,642 for protective services, most of which – roughly $80,000 – has been earmarked for fire protection.
Environmental health, which includes water supply, sewage disposal, and garbage collection, has been budgeted at $112,260.
The Town has budgeted $34,500 for recreation, and $11,000 for planning.
Council expects to bring in $767,492 in residential property tax and $40,216 in commercial tax, along with $22,680 in vacant land tax. The Town also anticipates $180,380 in residential water tax, $7,800 in commercial water tax, and a combined $86,294 in business tax and utility tax.
Council approved the budget unanimously during its November 10 public meeting.
