Overview
Shelburne may wish to consider amalgamation with another municipality as a way to manage costs and share resources. For the purposes of analyzing potential benefits, a comparison was done with the Municipal District of Shelburne (MDS), for service levels, costs and tax burden.
What could happen to the Tax Burden?
Commercial Tax Burden (see assumptions) in the Town could go down under the amalgamation option - a significant economic development consideration (residential would remain similar to now with potential for a small decrease) .
What Could Happen to Town Service Levels and Costs?
Assumptions for Purpose of Analysis:
1. 2010/11 assessments and 2009/10 rates
2. Tax burden examples-residential assessment $57,000; commercial $100,000
3. Service delivery levels as above
4.No debt at amalgamation
5. Municipal District of Shelburne tax structure remains same
6. Town roads will qualify for PNS J class road service and existing charge per kilometre
7. Option A - gap between revenue generated by town assessments under MDS rates and town services to be paid by all taxpayers (Town and MDS)
8. Option B - gap between revenue generated by town assessments under MDS rates and town services to be eliminated through negotiations to service and other assistance.
Good ideas!
ReplyDeleteYour Newsletter although a little late in your mandate is commendable
ReplyDeleteand one can only hope that it is what it purports to be.
Integrated Sustainability Planning Process would suggest a vision of
gargantuan proportions. Masterful suggestive words.
It would seem unreasonable to compare Shelburne with the “benchmark
towns”.The geographic positioning in reference to out of town resources is
totally different due to their proximately to Metro and Truro. The governance
has always been more progressive and open. The business people of the benchmark
towns have for a long time worked as one when it came to the common good of the
area and welcomed new business even it meant competition.
Certainly the population is declining. The young people are relocating....
something about jobs. Most of new comers are from away and only live here part
time.......therefore...only support the area on a part time basis. I think our health
program is better than that of the USA. We do not welcome peoples from other countries.
Solution: AMALGAMATION.
We need 5 Municipal units in Shelburne County like we need more Taxes?? We don't. Go ahead amalgamate I will gladly support it. Sam Bower
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I shall be out of town for the June 8 meeting.
ReplyDeleteI have appreciated the two newsletters I have seen so far on the issues facing Shelburne.
That is something new for this area and it is nice to have an opportunity to have a say in matters that will help to determine the future of the area...... even if I am "from away", I have been here for 13 years.
There is no doubt in my mind that amalgamation is the route to take.
If Lockeport does not want to join do it without them. Sooner or later they will realize the error of their ways, but it should not prevent the rest of us from making sensible decisions.
The area is way too small to have so many elected and paid individuals and overlapping services. There are only benefits in amalgamating. For me it is a "no brainer".
Thanks for the chance to say what I think.
Willa Magee
Willa Magee apparently has been paying attention.
ReplyDeleteAmalgamation certainly is a "no brianer".
Why not hold a town plebiscite to actually see what the majority want? I cannot see attending meetings where participants jot ideas on flip charts and the like ! It so 80's!It seems like and lip service and nothing else!
ReplyDeleteThe meeting: reminded me of leading sheep to the slaughther house.It would appear that amalgalmation is a foregone conclusion.Someone said that not every "citizen" speaking was a Canadian citizen! Interesting!I would hope that we would not follow any American blueprint for success......Maybe the person had valid points however they should have identified themselves as alien if they were so.Jest a small courtesy!
ReplyDeleteThe last person on this blog mentioned a plebiscite.....why not?