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ELMSDALE:<\/strong> Taxpayers in the Municipality of East Hants will see a slight decrease in their taxes with the passing of the 2022-2023 operating budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a release, the MEH says the general residential tax rate will decrease from $0.8507 to $0.8500, while the commercial tax rate was held steady at $2.60.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides the operating budget, council also passed the 2022-2027 five year Capital Budget and the water utility Operating Budge. This followed the presentation and review process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The budgets will come into effect on April 1, 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”156″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate group=”2″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the release, MEH says it has worked diligently to continue to exercise fiscal responsibility and minimize financial impacts to the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The overall municipal operating budget for 2022-2023 is $37.9 million. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCouncil has approved a well aligned budget that meets the needs of the community,\u201d Warden Eleanor Roulston said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI believe we have struck a balance that sees investment in important capital projects while continuing to deliver key services, remaining fiscally responsible and maintaining an affordable tax rate for our residents.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate group=”7″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights from the current budget:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 \u2022 Residential assessments saw an increase of 10.13%, approximately 0.96% of which is from growth in new construction<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 \u2022 The commercial assessment base has grown by 8.58%<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 \u2022 The Municipality saw an increase of 12.23% in RCMP services with a four-year plan to increase the officer compliment from 23 to 28 officers<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 \u2022 An increase of 2.7% in the education levy collected by the municipality on behalf of the province<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”146″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”126″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n ax rates are charged based on the assessed value of a property. Assessment rates are determined by Property Valuation Services Corporation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The approved budget and operational business plans are two of the guiding documents that will support Council\u2019s Strategic Plan and key priorities: Sustainable Infrastructure, Corporate Excellence, Strong Community and Economic Prosperity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n