Following a year littered with financial uncertainty, the city of Mount Pearl is reducing its residential mil rate from 7.4 to 7.1. That decrease will result in savings of about $100 per household based on a $256,500 household assessment.

There will also be no change to the commercial mil rate or the water tax.

The city is projecting taxation and utility revenue to drop by about $3.7-million in 2021.

As a result, the city was able to find $2.5-million in savings, the most pertinent to residents being a reduction to free scheduled bulk garbage pickup to once annually.

Other reductions include a temporary wage freeze and travel ban for management in 2021, the elimination of four positions, and decreases in seasonal infrastructure work.

The city has allocated $11.8-million for its capital budget next year, which Mayor Dave Aker says includes $9-million in road, water and sewer upgrades, the construction of a new splash pad, and an accessible playground.

Overall, Aker says the city is in good shape heading into 2021. He says the city is “well-positioned” for the years to come.