The town of Conception Bay South has tabled it’s $37.2-million budget for the upcoming year, featuring only one rate increase.

Mil rates in CBS will remain unchanged in 2022, as will most other fees and taxes in the town.

There is one exception, however. The water and sewer fee is increasing by $25 per household and $5 per student within the school district.

Deputy Mayor Andrea Gosse explains that the town’s cost to provide water from the St. John’s regional water authority has increased by 16 per cent since 2016,  increasing by $690,000 in the last six years.

According to Gosse, the economic challenges presented by the pandemic factored in to the decision, as it was no longer possible to subsidize the service to such an extent without impacting core services.

The town faced a significant shortfall of $1.5-million heading into budget 2022,. However, that was addressed through reallocating resources throughout its departments, and through the town’s debt management strategy.

Some other budget highlights include  $5.7-million for roadwork, $6.9-million for water and sewer, and $4.2-million for fire protective services.

Gosse says in spite of the times,  this is a positive budget and it’s “as good as it gets.”

Highlights of Budget 2022 include:

• No increase to residential and commercial mil rates;
• Fifth consecutive year that the Town has reduced spending;
• Hold-the-line on all rates and fees, with the exception of the water and sewer fee which has increased by $25 per household and $5 per student within the school district;
• $5.7 million investment in road work:
• $425,000 for new sidewalks;
• $2.5 million for Minerals Road upgrades – the last of the major, town-owned roads to be upgraded that connects Peacekeepers Way to Route 60; contingent upon the completion of Ocean
• Choice International’s wharf and infill project;
• $2.7 million for street paving;
• $90,000 traffic calming budget, on par with the highest ever budgeted for this service;
• Town to reduce speed limits to 30km/hr in various school areas;
• $1.7 million investment into snow and ice control program to continue 24/7 services during the snow season;
• $4.2 million in Fire Protective Services, increase of $120,000 over 2021 and an unprecedented expenditure for the Town;
• Almost $1 million investment in economic development to retain and attract new business; an increase of $135,000 over last year’s budget;
• $6.9 investment in water and sewer services, which includes new infrastructure and maintenance;
• $3 million investment in the library resource centre in Remembrance Square;
• $2.5 million investment in the downtown community park;
• Third consecutive year that the Town will waive all new home construction permit fees, as well as all residential permit fees for extensions, decks, fences, general repairs and accessory
• buildings;
• Subject to the approval of cost-shared funding, the Town will allocate $50,000 to better understand and promote new opportunities in the renewable energy sector;
• Town’s debt servicing costs to be reduced by $320,000 in 2022;
• Town to undergo a public engagement process for a new community centre, have options established for site selection;
• Town to begin planning for its 50th Anniversary Celebrations, which will take place in 2023.