MRC-des-Collines budgets for 2005
(with a look at municipal web pages for more information)
Mo Laidlaw
All municipalities in MRC des Collines are contributing more to the MRC budget, which has gone up 12%. This covers regional services such as Police and some waste management. The MRC’s web page is at www.mrcdescollines.com.

Tax rates up in Chelsea, Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette

In Chelsea taxes increase by 4.4% after two years of no increases. The new budget of $7 million for 2005, is an increase of half a million from 2004. The MRC contribution goes up 12%. Chelsea will borrow $1.4 million for work on road repairs and upgrades, and bicycle trail construction. A new fire station will be built in the Hollow Glen sector in the spring, and three pumper trucks will be leased. $431,000 goes to pay down the debt, double that in 2004. Chelsea’s mayor, Jean Perras is hoping for a reimbursement of Quebec sales tax for municipalities, to help reduce costs.
Chelsea’s impressive web page at chelsea.ca includes minutes of council meetings, and you can sign up for an email newsletter. “It will contain information concerning municipal on-goings, notice of public meetings, zoning changes, Recreation and Culture activities and more...”

In Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette the tax rate climbs from $11.02 to $15.81 per $1000 evaluation, including the special tax for police and fire protection. The total budget is $922,467, up more than $188,700 from 2004, partly due to the increase in 13% in the contribution to the MRC, which is now $133,673. $111,000 is required for capital projects including equipment for the fire service, a boat ramp, and a service building for the new water supply system. Sewer and waste-disposal fees remain unchanged at $175 and $75. Water costs $150 and recycling will cost $39.50.
This increase prepares for a three year plan to conform to new requirements in waste management, fire risks, and drinking water. In 2006 a loan of $1.3 million will be taken out for the new drinking water supply (50% available from federal and provincial grants) and the septic tank emptying program. In 2007 a new fire truck may be acquired, while in 2008 the municipality must close its trench landfill and transport waste to the regional baling centre. ND-de-la-Salette has no web page yet.

Tax rates unchanged in Val-des-Monts, Cantley, and L’Ange-Gardien

In Val-des-Monts, council adopted a budget for 2005 of $9.2 million, 7.2% more than in 2004, but with no increase in tax rate. The largest category is transport at $2.6 million. Public safety (police and fire service) is $2.2 million, 14% more than in 2004. The comprehensive web page at val-des-monts.net has a link to the 2005 budget that downloads a Word document.

In Cantley the total 2005 budget of $6 million is about half a million dollars larger than that for 2004, a 6.8% increase. The MRC contribution goes up 19% to $1.3 million. Other expenses have been cut by 5.5% to maintain the residential tax rate at 11.58 per $1000 of evaluation. About 5% of the budget will go to an emergency fund to pay for unexpected items, such as emergency road and drainage repairs. Slightly more than $350,000 from the surplus will be used for capital expenses in 2005.
Cantley’s web page is at www.cantley.ca. The “budget” link leads one to the 2004 budget.

Ratepayers in L’Ange-Gardien will see their tax bill increase by about $56 in 2005. The tax rate is unchanged at $10.70 per $1000 evaluation. The industrial and nonresidential tax rate remains at $15.20 per $1000 evaluation. The total budget is $2.9 million, an increase of $300,000 over 2004. The fee for waste management increases by $12 to $124 per residence. Like other municipalities the improvement of roads is a high priority, and $200,000 is budgeted for roads. The new charge for the municipal program to empty septic tanks is $72.84.
L’Ange-Gardien has an impressive web page at ville.lange-gardien.qc.ca, with public notices, news and other on-line services, as well as a virtual tour.

Tax rate down in Pontiac
Pontiac’s 2005 budget of $4 million has already been covered in detail in a separate article. In summary: property in the municipality of Pontiac was reevaluated in 2004, leading to a 36% increase in municipal evaluation, now totalling $306 million. Although the tax rate has dropped from $10.54 to $7.68 per $1000 of evaluation, residents will not see lower taxes if their evaluations have increased. Fees for garbage pickup and sewers have gone up. Pontiac has no web page yet.

La Pêche
La Pêche has a web page at www.villelapeche.qc.ca. The most recent “news” (as of January 6) is from November 2004.
(I hope Ernie Mahoney will do a budget article!)