No tax increases for Harbour Grace residents in 2023 budget

By Mark Squibb/December 30, 2022

In speaking with The Shoreline last week, Mayor Don Coombs said the Town of Harbour Grace did not plan on raising taxes in Budget 2023.

Coombs made good on the promise, when councillor Gordon Stone and Deputy Mayor Keith Skinner presented for council a budget for 2023 balanced at $3.6 million that includes no tax increases.

“This was not an easy budget,” said Stone, who said the Town worked hard to meet increasing costs without increasing taxes. “And there will be no increase to taxpayer rates in 2023.”

As per the 2022 tax structure, residential property tax sits at 7.75 mils, while the commercial rate sits at 8 mils.

One of the more notable cost-cutting measures put forth by the Town was the decision to close the Danny Clearly Community Centre for five months in 2023.

“I’ll slow down on this one, because there are details which the public will need to be aware of,” said Stone ahead of discussing the matter.

“This facility has been looked at extensively during the budget process,” said Stone. “It was a tough decision to close this facility from May till September of 2023, and to reopen it October 1, 2023. During this time, if any hockey school or other entity wish to operate, they should contact the facility manager, who will determine if it is feasible for the municipality to accommodate their request… The current rates for 2022 hockey season will remain the same until the end of the hockey season on April 30, 2023.”

However, rental fees for use of the ice surface will go up next year.

Councillor Lee Rodgers, however, could not get on board with the decision — particularly the rental fee increases.

“I have given this a lot of thought, and I do have concerns with the cost increases at the arena,” said Rodgers. “I do want to reiterate what councillor Stone said, which is that from May to September, just because the stadium won’t be open, that’s not to say there won’t be ice time.”

He said that he hoped council will review the cost increases in the new year.

“I do what to say that I have a great concern with the price increases, for the public record,” said Rodgers, who in fact, voted against the budget.

Councillor Brendan Chafe, who coaches minor hockey, declared a conflict of interest in the matter, which council was in agreement with, and sat out the discussion.

There was one slight change to the tax structure – hotels with 25 or more rooms will be charged at a rate of 5 mils; hotels with 50 plus rooms will be charged at 2.5 mils.

Also in the budget, the Town is anticipating $36,900 in provincial gas tax and $140,000 in federal gas tax for 2023.

The Town has budgeted $196,831 for town administration and $195,000 for snow clearing, which is on par with the 2022 budget.

Council anticipates that the remainder of the work due for Harvey Street will be completed in 2023, amidst other infrastructure projects.

Council voted to withdraw $350,000 from the bank as an operating line of credit and will also be reviewing the Town’s five year plan and gas tax projects.

Mayor Don Coombs called it both a fair budget and a hard budget.

“It didn’t happen overnight,” said Coombs. “It happened during the nights, and during the days.”

Coombs thanks council and staff for their work on the budget.