Budget passed
Bowen’s five-year financial plan was officially adopted by council Monday night. The much discussed budget was finalized with a revised property tax increase of 7.8 per cent, down from the original 10.4 per cent figure.
The budget was supported 6-1 with Coun. Alison Morse the lone vote in opposition. An accompanying vote to leave municipal tax rates the same for various types of properties on the island (residential, business, industry, etc.) passed unanimously.
Compost Facility on hold
A request to the province to grant an extension for the start of construction on the planned compost facility was approved. Conditions of the project’s grant said work had to start by October 2022, but can now begin in February 2023.
“That buys us some more time to further develop that project without jeopardizing the contract we have,” says chief administrative officer Liam Edwards.
The new timeframe also gives the municipality more time to raise their $500,000 share of the $1.5 million project. Much of this will likely be borrowed, but chief financial officer Kristen Watson said last month if fundraising for the community centre goes well, some of the money set aside for that capital project could be redirected to the compost facility.
Knick Knack Nook is also making a donation to the facility.
Development fee waived
A request to waive a $900 charge for a development permit fee was approved. The applications, owners of Lot 9 and 10 on Foxglove Lane, submitted that because they were unable to hookup to the Snug Cove Sewer System, they’ve been forced to install a septic tank. Due to the size and steep terrain of their lots, this made combining them necessary to create room for a septic tank to fit.
“While I understand that this may be public money, we’re in a position where we would not be before council asking for this if the sewer system was able to accommodate those lots on Foxglove Lane,” one owner said during the meeting.
Council determined this was a unique situation, and voted 6-1 to waive the fee with Coun. Sue Ellen Fast opposing.
