In a Public Council Meeting held on Thursday, January 27, 2022, at 4:45 PM, Councillor Hayward Broomfield, Chair of the Finance, Administration & Policy Committee, presented the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay 2022 Municipal Budget. The 13^th Council of Happy Valley-Goose Bay unanimously passed the 2022 Municipal Budget.

9^th Meeting of the 13^th Council – Budget 2022

The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay is pleased to advise residents that the Town received notice of acceptance of its 2022 Municipal Budget from the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs on March 25, 2022.

To view the 2022 Municipal Budget Submission Form, click below:

https://happyvalley-goosebay.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Town-of-HVGB-Budget-2022-Submission-Form.pdf

Budget 2022 Highlights

• Budget 2022 is balanced at $15,282,879.73
• Residential Mil Rate increase from 6.75 to 7.25. This is the first increase of this nature since Budget 2019.
• Business Tax mil rates, Minimum Vacant Commercial Property Tax, and Water & Sewer rates remain constant.
• Property Tax Low Income Relief Policy remains in effect.
• Recreational Property Tax Rebate Policy remains in effect
• Increases to Recreational Fees, Equipment Rates, and Tipping Fees, (The new fee structure for EJ Broomfield Memorial Arena takes effect September 21, 2022).
• Minor changes to Permit Fees and Animal Control Fees

Water & Sewer:

• Continued work in water and sewer projects such as Pumphouse upgrades, water line upgrades, and sewage lift station upgrades, carry over from previous Budgets.

Human Resources:

• Water & Sewer Department: One new Water & Sewer Assistant for 2022 to bring the total complement to 4 positions, the first time in over thirty years that this department has increased staffing, with the exception of plant operators.

Central Labrador YMCA (Labrador Wellness Centre):

• Construction was completed, and the new state-of-the-art facility opened in July 2021. Within the first six months of opening the new $30 Million, Central Labrador YMCA had reached a major milestone with just over 1000 memberships.

Impacts of COVID-19:

• Like all municipalities in the province, COVID-19 had a financial impact on the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay in 2021 as it did in 2020. The Town’s response and mitigation (enhanced cleaning protocols) of town facilities indoors and outdoors have created its challenges.
• Increased costs related to PPE and cleaning supplies.
• The Federal Safe Restart Allocation Program funding of $476,519.18 was used and instrumental in balancing Budget 2021, unfortunately, this was not available to help offset costs for Budget 2022.
• 2021 continued to see revenue losses in the Municipal Landfill Tipping Fees and Recreational Facilities income, a continuation of the COVID-19 impacts that the Town saw in 2020. These losses in revenue streams had a significant impact.