Town Council approves 2018 municipal budgets

RIVERVIEW (N.B.)  During the final 2018 public budget meeting on December 11, Riverview Town Council approved an operating budget of $28.4 million focusing on the resources necessary to maintain existing services and service levels, while continuing to invest in core infrastructure (roads, water and sewer), economic development and recreation.

Following the Province of New Brunswick’s decision to freeze assessments in 2017, the Town’s overall assessment tax base will increase by just 0.5% in 2018. While the Town will see an increase in assessments because of new construction, those will be offset by the declines in existing assessment of homes and commercial properties whose assessments will be reduced by Service New Brunswick. The estimated impact to the Town of Riverview of the province’s decision to freeze tax assessment for 2018 is approximately $300,000 or 2 cents on the tax rate.

“Budgets are about setting priorities and I’m so pleased that staff presented a balanced budget to Council during this challenging year. It’s not easy to balance the competing demands of creating an affordable community while investing in the things that matter most to our residents but Riverview’s 2018 budget keeps the town on a path of fiscal responsibility,” said Mayor Ann Seamans.

Household Impact

Council voted to hold the tax rate steady at $1.5826 per $100 of a property’s assessed value. All civic services cost $7 a day in municipal taxes for average Riverview households.

Utility customers will see a 3.43% increase in their water and sewer rates, an impact of $29 per year or $7.25 per quarter. These services are funded exclusively through utility rates and not property taxes. The cost of water purchases from the City of Moncton has increased by 1.5% under the new Water Purchase Agreement. The Town continues its focus on water main renewal replacements in 2018.  

The budget held department expenditures flat with a 0% increase in resources over 2017 and no investment in new programs. 

Capital Investments in 2018

The total capital expenditures approved are $9.8 million. Capital expenditures relate to projects and expenditures where the benefits can be seen over many years, including facilities, vehicles and parks. In 2018 the capital budget will be used to fund the following programs and projects:

• Reconfiguration of the Gunningsville Bridge and Coverdale Road intersection to improve traffic flow overall, and to help alleviate significant traffic congestion anticipated when the causeway is closed for up to 6 months in 2020. The project is contingent on the province’s agreement to contribute funding for this project.
   
• Local street improvement deficit with a full reconstruction including underground water and sewer infrastructure for:
  • Bloor Drive
  • Balmoral Court
  • Byron Court
  • Ealey Crescent
  • Leonard Street loop​
     
• New water and sewer utilities for:
  • Warren Avenue
  • Gaskin Boulevard
     
• Numerous active transportation projects including a sidewalk on Runneymeade Road.
• Phase two of the facility upgrades and improvements to the Byron Dobson Arena that were identified in a 2016 facility condition assessment. Phase two replacement of the upper rink floor slab, dasher boards and brine headers as they are operating beyond their anticipated useful life, continuing the electrical upgrades including LED lighting in the lower rink, LED lighting in the addition, and emergency generator transfer switch, and mechanical improvements including replacing the lower rink sprinkler and fire alarm modifications.
   
• Continued development of the primary trail network at Mill Creek Nature Park.
   
• Purchase of a new Codiac Transpo bus.

For more information:

2018 Budget Background for Council