Media Release: Town of Paradise Budget 2016 Delivers Lower Residential Mil Rate; Enhanced Public Services

December 15, 2015 – Paradise, NL: With a focus on lowering the residential mil rate while enhancing public services, the 2016 Municipal Budget for the Town of Paradise was unveiled during the regular council meeting tonight, December 15, 2015.

The balanced operating budget for 2016 is $35.6 million. It includes a reduction in the residential mil rate from 7.4 to 6.8 and no changes to the commercial mil rate or to the water and sewer rate. It also includes provisions for enhanced public services for the Town with investments in key areas and an allocation for the operation of the new fire station which is anticipated to open in June 2016.

“We are proud of the budget presented tonight. We are able to both lower the residential mil rate and continue to invest in public services for the residents of the Town of Paradise,” said Councillor Deborah Quilty, Finance Committee Chair.

As part of Budget 2016 preparations, the Town initiated consultations with residents through an online survey. It was the first time such a process was undertaken and it resulted in valuable contributions from the public which helped to shape the 2016 budget.

“We want and need the input of our residents, and we thank all those who took the time to participate in the survey,” said Mayor Dan Bobbett. “Through the process, residents indicated that their main priorities were property taxes and improved road infrastructure and we responded to both areas in Budget 2016.”

The major initiatives included in Budget 2016 are:

• $8M for road work (Topsail Road, St. Thomas Line and Paradise Road Widening Projects)
• $2.8M for operation of new Fire Hall
• $2M for Automated Garbage Collection
• $1.3M for new St. Thomas Line Community Centre
• $1.2M for completion of Splash Pad, dog park, concession stand and other outdoor amenities
• $120,000 for Metro Bus Service Pilot Project

“Budget 2016 is about striking the right balance. We want to maintain and where possible, enhance, existing services, programs and infrastructure while at the same time minimizing the tax impacts on residents. The budget presented tonight does just that,” said Mayor Bobbett. “It is our plan for the year ahead and we lookforward to making the Town of Paradise an even better place to live and work.”