Both residential and commercial mil rates will not be going up in the city of Mount Pearl in the new year.
Councillor Chelsea Lane tabled the $58.8-million budget for 2025 at city hall earlier today.
All water fees, and sewer and wastewater removal fees are also being maintained. All other rates and fees will remain steady.
In terms of other municipal projects, Mayor Dave Aker says the city has several initiatives they will be focusing on.
He says funds have been allocated for a new community centre to replace Park Place, they are using $6.1-million through the housing accelerator fund to build 386 new housing units, and they will also be focusing on a new expansion area – Northlands – on the top of Mount Carson Avenue.
The city has also allocated $735,000 for Municipal Enforcement Operations, which they say will go towards enforcing city by-laws and engaging in public outreach.
That topic is one of significant concern given the attacks in the city several weeks ago that has caused many to be on high alert.
However, as Aker notes municipal enforcement officers are not police but they are good at liaising with the RNC. Aker says he had a meeting with the Justice Minister about more of an RNC presence in the city, and other community policing models that they will look at.
Other items in the budget include over $1-million for road maintenance, $700,000 for a culvert replacement on Glencoe Drive, $250,000 to install lighting on the T’Railway, and $140,000 for floor upgrades and equipment at The Glacier.
