The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is inching closer and closer to becoming debt free.
The municipality announced its 2017-18 budget on Tuesday evening.
As of March 31, their debt sits at almost $5.9-million with plans to be debt free by 2022.
Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson says they can achieve that goal by not borrowing.
“It definitely means crucial decisions because it means we have to watch what we’re spending our money on and make sure that we can make the commitments to pay down that debt.”
The budget also includes a surplus of $118,000 and a two cent reduction in sewer rates.
The LCLC special tax rate of 2.5 cents has also been removed.
MODL Budget: Operating Budget of $29.3-million, Capital Budget of $3.4-million. Residential, Commercial & Seasonal tax rates remain the same
— CKBW Radio (@ckbwradio) May 9, 2017
The municipality is also hoping to find a solution on abandoned schools.
They are targeting schools in Centre and Riverport.
Bolivar-Getson says they have over $500,000 set aside to address concerns.
“We really do not want these schools. I’m almost at the point that I believe that I should pay the province to keep the schools because the liability that is associated with a lot of these schools is definitely something that we have no control over.”
Fun Fact of MODL budget: of the $29.3-million in operating budget, Education, RCMP and Fire Protection rates make up roughly $14-million
— CKBW Radio (@ckbwradio) May 9, 2017
The budget also doles out more than $392,000 in grants to organizations.
Community groups can also apply for funding to host Canada 150 celebrations.
The municipality has $20,000 set aside for the initiative.
Other highlights include an internet pilot project in Sweetland, continued work on the LaHave River straight pipe project and flood mitigation and focusing on recruitment and retention in the fire service.
