Residents of Cantley won’t see their tax rate increase in 2021, though their tax bill will still increase due to previous infrastructure investments, Cantley Mayor Madeleine Brunette announced along with the budget adoption at the council meeting on Dec. 15.
“The taxation set in 2021 takes into account the overall value of municipal charges, including all operations and investments for the year, while taking into account the consequences of COVID-19 on operations and income prospects,” Brunette explained. “The increase that will appear is a result of past investments in infrastructure with the purchase of strategic land for the development of services, as well as the paving and widening of several major [roads.]”
The 2021 budget forecasts revenues totaling $16,293,468, of which $13,195,160 comes from taxes; it forecasts $17,336,557 in total expenses.
To mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on municipal finances, Cantley will receive $770,134 from the provincial government to help offset the projected deficit.
As part of the municipality’s three-year capital plan, the mayor announced $35,047,750 of investments in 2021 – subject to certain conditions, including the granting of subsidies – which will be allocated to several municipal projects, including:
The construction of a refrigerated ice rink ($5,000,000)
The renovation of the municipality’s town hall, Maison des Bâtisseurs (nearly $1,000,000)
The repair of municipal streets and roads, including the creation of bicycle lanes to develop an active Cantley and regional transport network to reach neighbouring municipalities and Gatineau ($26,713,000)
The mayor also pointed out the increase in land-transfer taxes – money the municipality collects on the sale of properties – which increased from $775,000 to $1,200,000 thanks to a booming real-estate market.
For more details on the 2021 budget, you can consult the downloadable budget presentation document and summary on the Cantley municipal website at cantley.ca/municipalite/profil-financier/budget/.