Back to SearchDIEPPE, NB — Dieppe City Council adopted its $85.8-million operating budget for 2023 at its public meeting on November 28. Of that amount, $71.1 million will go to the general operating budget and $14.7 million to the water and sewer budget.
Also adopted at the meeting were the capital budgets: $23 million for the general capital budget and $2.2 million for the water and sewer capital budget.
The good news for the municipality is that Dieppe is expected to reach a debt ratio of less than 10 per cent by 2023. The City set a goal of achieving the ratio by 2027 when it adopted its financial plan four years ago. By changing the maximum borrowing rate to $5 million per year, the City of Dieppe can invest in new initiatives to accommodate growth, while maintaining a focus on asset management and ensuring that the debt ratio continues to decline.
“The next few years will be particularly important for the development of Dieppe, which is why we have allocated an increased budget envelope for environmental initiatives such as the tree planting program, as well as $250,000 for the creation of affordable housing,” said Mayor Yvon Lapierre. “With the vision of becoming the destination of choice for francophone immigration in the Atlantic region, special attention will be given to this file in the coming year,” he added.
Owing to a significant tax base increase of 15% in 2023, mainly due to the positive reassessment of properties and strong construction growth, City Council was again able to ease the tax burden on Dieppe homeowners and reduce the mill rate by 7.95¢. The rate now stands at $1.46 per $100 of assessed value. In addition, the annual water and sewer bill will be kept at $948.
“Major projects are slated for the coming year, including the reconstruction of Gauvin Road between Marché and Collège, the reconstruction of Emmanuel Street, and the repaving of sections of Champlain Street,” said Director of Finance Stéphane Thériault.“On the transit side, we will be purchasing a new bus, adding an audio-visual system to the buses in our fleet, upgrading and adding bus shelters, and enhancing the On-Demand Transit program.”
As a result of the Province of New Brunswick’s local governance reform, Dieppe is proud to welcome over 800 new residents as of January 1, 2023. The City of Dieppe will take on new municipal responsibilities for some residents of the LSDs of Greater Lakeburn and Scoudouc. Careful work was done to determine the tax rate that best reflects the level of services provided in 2023. Under a five-year catch-up plan, the rate will be $0.5445 per $100 of assessed value for existing residents of the LSD of Greater Lakeburn joining the City of Dieppe and $0.4677 for residents of Scoudouc, in addition to a second rate paid directly to the Province for services it will continue to provide, such as those related to roads.
General operating budget
Revenue sources:
Property taxes $65.1 million
Community funding grant and equalization payment $900,000
Other revenue $5.1 million
TOTAL $71.1 million
Breakdown of spending
Administration 9.6%
Valuation cost 1.2%
Police 11.9%
Fire 10.2%
Cost of water 3.0%
Transportation 7.5%
Other protective measures 6,2%
Communications 1.7%
Leisure, culture and community life 15.6%
Buildings and municipal fleet 3.8%
Financial services 9.2%
Operational capital 16.2%
Engineering 2.8%
Reserve 0.6%