The 2021 budget was elaborated within the evolving context caused by the pandemic and the uncertainties
surounding the use of our infrastructures and our operational activities in general. Therefore, our 2022 budget
was not any easier to develop with the repetition of confinement and deconfinement mandated by the provincial
government and the other public health laws that ensued. However, we have been able to move forward
considerably with several files and projects. You can be assured that we have developed our 2022 budget with
the objective of sound management of our public finances and the optic to keep moving forward progressively.
However, inflation has a direct impact on our municipal finances. At the end of 2021, the rate of inflation was
4.8%, the highest jump in 30 years! In addition, the minimum wage will increase by $O.75 an hour in 2022, an
increase of 5.5%. Consequently, the municipality adjusted the salaries of its employees in order to be equitable
and ensure productivity.
Historically, the property tax rate was on average at $1.09, for the year 2022 it will be $1.11. An average home
in New Carlisle is evaluated at $117,000 so the average property tax bill will go from $1,240 to $1,298, an increase
of$58.
In terms of services, the renewal of the recycling contract with the municipalities of the MRCs of Bonaventure
and Avignon has increased considerably and the cost per door is increasing from $46 to $80. The costs related to
this service include collection, transport, sorting and disposal. At the residential level, the cost of the water
services is up by $3 and that of the sewer by $4.
Concerning the services of the Sûreté du Québec, our invoice has gone up by 2.2 % for a total of 92 4305.
Regarding municipal revenues “other than property taxes’, we have a decrease of S 19 000. Therefore, it is vital
for our citizens to understand that we require the densification of our urban perimeter in order to be able to increase
the total value of our property tax base. The cost of road maintenance, water, sewage systems, snow removal is
the same for a street with two homes or ten homes. Unfortunately, these fixed costs have only been increasing
over the years and show no sign of letting up.
In addition, we must collectively create prosperity in our municipality by actively promoting new projects,
residential construction, new businesses, sports and leisure services and enhance community infrastructure. We
must be attractive to families, inclusive to our elders and demonstrate opportunity to investors.
On another note, this year the town is implementing a special property tax on forestry lots in order to adequately
maintain our secondary road network. This fund will allow us to trade in our 1991 grader for a more recent model
and hire a dedicated employee for this important work. Please note that this special tax will only be applied to
forestry lots. The average tax bill for a forest lot is only $89, the municipal council sought to increase the share
of participation of forest lot owners for road maintenance.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the municipal council for its involvement in the budget process for the year
2022 without forgetting all the municipal employees for their work dedicated to serving the population
I hope you all enjoy the snow and the coming signs of spring.
