One cent increase

Wolfville residents will be paying a bit more to live in the town this fiscal year.

Town council approved a $9.90 million operating budget for 20172018 March 21. The approved financial document calls for a onecent increase in the residential tax rate, which will be set at $1.45 per $100 of taxable assessment.

The tax commercial rate will hold steady at $3.56 per $100 of taxable assessment.

“The town once again has our plan in place prior to the start of the fiscal year and I am excited that this year’s document is a Four-Year Operations Plan. Not only has council approved the 2017-2018 (Year 1) budget dollars, but it has also laid out the intended course of action over the subsequent three years,” said Wolfville Mayor Jeff Cantwell said in a press release the Town of Wolfville circulated March 22 to announce the approval of the budget.

“The plan will be updated (and) amended annually during the budget process which will assist council in prioritizing and planning various services intended to benefit the community.”

Cantwell noted that the budget includes the approval of a $50,000 grant for the Wolfville School Playground Project.

Wolfville’s budget announcement indicates that new construction and renovation assessments generated roughly $100,000 in additional tax revenue. The town’s plan for the new fiscal year features a number of action items, including finalizing the municipal planning strategy, developing a residential rental business bylaw, creating an extension of services policy, starting the mill and pave work needed at the west end of Main Street, working with fellow municipal units in Kings County to complete a regional recreation needs assessment, enhancing Canada Day Celebrations to mark Canada’s 150th year, distributing grants to various organizations, increasing the low income tax exemption to $600 for households bringing in less than $26,400 annually.

For the commercial sector, the Town of Wolfville plans to complete a parking management plan for the downtown core and council agreed to increase the Wolfville Business Development Corporation’s grant from $39,500 to $100,000.

“This grant is levied through a business development area rate that will change from a two-tiered rate system in 2016-2017 to a blended rate in 2017-2018,” Wolfville’s press release reads.

The capital budget, featuring $3.43 million in projects for 20172018, includes money for street infrastructure projects, community parks and amenities.

“Three residential streets are scheduled for infrastructure renewal; King Street from Willow to Victoria, Sylvan Terrace and Sunset Drive. The town will also be installing a new sidewalk on Wickwire Avenue and Blomidon Terrace,” the release states.

“Community infrastructure projects include upgrades to Evangeline Park and replacement of deteriorating skateboard features with a mobile skateboard park.“