TOWN OF GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR RELEASES DETAILED $22.2 MILLION OPERATIONAL BUDGET FOR 2024
Posted on
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2023
GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, NL -On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, Councillor Holly Dwyer, as Corporate Services Chairperson, presented the 2024 Budget for the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor. This year’s budget is balanced at $22,211,768.
Both the residential and commercial mil rates associated with property tax will remain unchanged for 2024. Most of the Town’s tax revenue comes from these two categories. Taxpayers may still see a higher bill in 2024 caused by an average property assessment increase of 7%; this additional revenue was factored into the decision to leave the mil rates the same for 2024. The Town of Grand Falls-Windsor remains the lowest among comparable communities in terms of taxation per average household.
Some businesses will notice a small change to their mil rate this year as the Town continues to reconfigure the “General” business tax category in order to more appropriately group and tax businesses. All other business taxes remain the same for 2024.
“The inflationary pressures being felt by all citizens also have an impact on the services provided to the residents and businesses of Grand Falls-Windsor,” said Councillor Holly Dwyer. “Council continues to do their best to limit the taxation burden for residents while still trying to balance the need for growth and capital investment.”
Revenue for 2024 will total $22.2 million; 87% of this amount will come from taxation. Grand Falls-Windsor continues to grow, as evidenced by over $11 million in commercial construction value generated, and approximately $5 million in residential construction value in 2023. With an added focus on housing initiatives and commercial development in 2024, we hope to exceed these amounts in coming years.
Total Expenditures for the 2024 Operating Budget are projected to be $22.2 million, a 4.7% increase over the 2023 Expenditure Budget. Almost half of these expenses relate to the Public Works and Development Department, which takes care of snow clearing, water supply and distribution, garbage collection and disposal, maintenance on parks and green spaces, and more. Costs within this department have increased by over $800,000, mainly due to the rising costs of water chemicals, garbage disposal, and the increased maintenance of parks and facilities.
There have been significant investments over the past number of years in Town infrastructure and equipment, and that will continue into 2024. The total amount of capital spending projected for 2024 is just under $11.7 million, with anticipated funding from various Government agencies expected to cover approximately $6.5 million of that total. Work planned for 2024 includes:
- Continued investment into the Town’s equipment replacement strategy with replacements of an excavator, a high-pressure vacuum truck, and an ice resurfacer scheduled for 2024;
- Several accessibility improvements, including a wheelchair lift for Town Hall and an accessible kayak floating dock;
- Installation of electric vehicle charging stations;
- Commencement of Phase II of the Gorge Park development, beginning with trail development;
- Continuation of downtown water, sewer and storm sewer projects with additional funding for more projects to replace the infrastructure throughout town;
- Street paving program;
- Detailed specification design on a possible new community center.
Other focus areas for Council in 2024 include water infrastructure, accessibility, housing and land development, and social wellness.
“We have taken great strides to minimize the impacts on our residents and to ensure our operations remain effective and comprehensive,” said Councillor Holly Dwyer. “The 2024 Budget is fiscally responsible and ensures that we are able to achieve the service goals that residents of Grand Falls-Windsor have come to expect and deserve.”
The full budget presentation and the schedule of rates and fees is now available at https://grandfallswindsor.com/town-hall/publications as well as at the Town Hall.
Media Contact:
Robyn Hannaford
Communications Officer, Town of Grand Falls-Windsor
communications@townofgfw.com
709-489-0173 | 709-689-3682
###