Kensington council holding line on property taxes

Water and sewer rates going up

Kensington Town Council gave the public its first look at the proposed 2018 budget, Monday night.

Mayor Rowan Caseley said the community is in a good position for the coming year. “We’re in pretty good shape financially,” he concluded.

As with all the municipalities on the Island, Kensington’s 2018 budget will cover 15 months, rather than the usual 12. This is accommodating the one-time changeover in financial scheduling necessitated by the province’s new Municipalities Act. The document holds few surprises as the town is gearing up to start work on its new strategic plan, which will direct community development for years to come.

In the meantime, residents will not be seeing any increases to their property taxes this year.

Water and sewer rates are going up by three per cent and 1.5 per cent, respectively, but that was determined some time ago.

The town is in year 4 of a fiveyear, pre-approved, consecutive rate increase.

The town’s total long-term debt currently stands at a little more than $3.16 million, which is down from $4.6 million in 2012.

“Our long-term debt reduction strategy has been working … We’re basically reducing around $350,000 to $400,000 a year,” said Caseley.

In terms of the town’s capital budget, it’s two major purchases for the upcoming year will be a new Zamboni at $100,000 and a sidewalk replacement project at $135,000, though which sidewalks will be replaced were not specified. The community can provide feedback to Caseley and council regarding the budget until the town’s March council meeting, which is when it will be voted on.