On Tuesday, April 20, Niverville’s town council met to announce the details of their annual budget. The meeting began with a reading of the town’s 2021 financial plan.
First on the agenda is an increase of two percent for the average resident’s property tax bill, which works out to about $44.57 more per home.
The school tax levy, which is set by the Hanover School Division, will remain the same as last year, but this year it won’t be included as part of the annual tax bill but rather charged as a special levy.
As part of the province of Manitoba’s plan to phase out education property taxes, in 2021 a rebate will be issued to property owners, returning 25 percent of the education special levy. That rebate is expected to come in September, and it will be disbursed automatically, meaning that property owners won’t need to apply in order to receive it.
Additionally, the home reassessment period will be pushed back two years due to COVID-19, so there will be no change in property values during that time. Currently, the average price for a home in Niverville is approximately $287,000.
There has been no waste levy increase since 2016, but this year will see the levy go up due to an increase in tonnage fees at the landfill. The waste levy will go up marginally, from $118 to $125.
In terms of the town’s departmental budgets, there are several key changes this year.
Protection. The council is beginning to budget and save for an increase in the cost of RCMP services. The reason for this is that RCMP staffing levels are population-based. So when Niverville officially crosses the 5,000 mark, which will occur after the upcoming census since the town is already estimated to be well past that point, it will have to pay $300,000 more for policing, which will cover three to four full-time officers to serve the community.
Council also plans to continue Niverville’s relationship with the Commissionaires for the enforcement of municipal bylaws.
General government. The expansion of the town office is nearing completion and its existing square footage is expected to suffice for the next 10 to 15 years.
Meanwhile, funds continue to be funnelled into the local medical clinic, which is owned and operated by the town in order to provide sustainable healthcare.
The town is also funding several upgrades this year in the area of information technologies infrastructure and security.
Transportation. In the coming year, work will continue on the ongoing project to revamp the town’s Main Street sidewalks. The sidewalk contract for 2021 has been awarded to J.D. Penner and will cover new sidewalks from Prairie Trail to Second Avenue North.
Council also awarded a contract to Southwood Ventures this year for on-call equipment.
A preliminary design will be created for the four-way intersection of Mulberry Avenue and Main Street/Highway 311. Council has awarded this contract to Morrison Hershfield of Winnipeg. To design the intersection, Morrison Hershfield will use Niverville’s most recent traffic impact study, as well as new information which they will collect. Turning lanes will be needed here. Traffic lights may also be required.
Environmental health. The 2021 budget allots funds for the expansion and improvement of the town’s compost site.
Public health and welfare. There are plans in place to finish the development of Hespeler Cemetery, which is located south along Fifth Avenue.
Environment. More trees will be planted in 2021. A total of $5,000 has been allotted for a tree-planting program.
Economic development. The town has pledged to continue the sponsorship and marketing of the Niverville area as a commerce and industrial hub of the southeast.
Recreation. Von Ast Construction has been selected to relandscape the dog park as soon as they have finished construction of the CRRC. Plans also exist for the creation of a new greenspace south of the arena.
As for the CRRC, the target date for the completion of construction remains fixed at July 1.
A new town employee will be hired to operate camps for young people. In the past, the town has offered a range of summer camps, but going forward camps will be run year-round on days that school is closed.
Utilities. Alongside the RMs of Hanover, Ritchot, and Tache, Niverville will continue to lobby the government to move forward with the creation of a new regional approach to wastewater management, the focal point of which will be the construction of a new treatment plant north of Niverville to service the entire region.
The town has almost completed the design of a $10-million water treatment plant and raw water source expansion which will allow the community to be serviced with a sustain water supply for the next 25 to 30 years.
Capital. The town will be using capital funds to purchase a new tractor for the operations department. They have already purchased some new equipment for the fire department, including a gear washer, nozzles, and hose replacements. Additionally, they are beginning to replace expired turnout gear.
The town will also be completing the third phase of pathway lighting in Hespeler Park.
Looking forward, Niverville hopes to complete the wetlands park at the old lagoon site. They have also set aside sufficient funding for the 2022 Manitoba Winter Games, to be held here next February.
With the CRRC opening this summer, the town is on the hunt for grant opportunities to improve the interior of the old arena and continue to make full use of that space.
Another ongoing project is the improvement of drainage for old sump pumps in Fifth Avenue Estates.
Finally, council has authorized Manitoba Hydro to install two 60-watt LED ornamental lights on Mulberry Avenue at a operational cost of $194 per year. They’ve also authorized 18 60-watt LED lights on Mulberry Avenue and the surrounding area for an operational cost of $3,138 per year.
