New Release
“Council Embarks on a Review of its
Regulations and Policies”
March 18, 2010
For Immediate Release
Mr. Robert Hobbs, Mayor
of the Town of Bishop’s Falls, today announced that Council has embarked on
a review of its regulations and policies. “Every so often it is a valuable
exercise for municipal governments to conduct a review of its regulations
and policies to ensure they are relevant, effective, and enforceable. The
Bishop’s Falls Town Council feels it is time to undertake such a process,
and I am please to advise residents that the work has already begun”, stated
Mayor Hobbs.
On February 16, 2010
Council established the Ad hoc Regulations Review Committee with a
mandate to eliminate irrelevant, unenforceable, and ineffective regulations
and policies. Since that time the Committee met on two (2) occasions, and
during the most recent meeting it began the clause-by-clause analysis of the
Town of Bishop’s Falls Animal Control Regulations. “On March 11,
2010 the Committee began the review process with the Town of Bishop’s
Falls Animal Control Regulations. Some changes were made to the
regulations to provide clearer language, but for the most part the substance
remained the same – owners must still licence their dogs and they must
exercise diligence to ensure their dogs and cats do not harm others or their
property. The regulations, which will be known as the Dog and Cat
Regulations, 2010 once adopted by Council, cover other areas as well,
and I encourage residents to read them in detail”, said Mayor Hobbs.
During the review,
residents will be provided an opportunity to formally comment on the
regulations. Typically speaking, once the regulations have been tabled with
Council, residents will be provided two (2) weeks to submit written comments
and suggestions. Mayor Hobbs added “We believe it is important for
residents to be able to contribute to the formation of public policy.
Written comments and suggestions received from residents will be
incorporated into the review and, if necessary, the regulations will be
amended before they are voted on by Council.”
The first set of
regulations for public comment is the Dog and Cat Regulations, 2010,
and residents have until April 12, 2010 to submit written comments and
suggestions. These regulations can be obtained at the Town Office and on
our website at www.bishopsfalls.ca.
Follow this link
to obtain the
Dog and Cat
Regulations,
2010
News Release
“Council
Adopts 2010 Municipal Operating Budget”
January
19, 2010
For Immediate Release
Bishop’s Falls, NL –
Robert (Bob) Hobbs, Mayor of the Town of Bishop’s Falls, and Councillor
Peter Budgell, Chairperson of the Governance Standing Committee, today
announced that Council adopted the 2010 Municipal Operating Budget that now
totals $3,072,249. “When this Council was elected in September, we decided
that our number one priority is to place our Town on a path to fiscal
sustainability. The 2010 Budget is the first step, and we are pleased to be
able to balance the budget while maintaining a level of service that this
community is accustomed to”, stated Mayor Hobbs.
The residents of Bishop’s Falls will be pleased to know that the mill rate
will not increase this year - it remains at 11 mills – and the residential
water/sewer tax rate remains unchanged as well. “Residents will be pleased
to know that Council avoided an increase in the mill rate. It was long
suspected that this would be necessary because of the sewage treatment
capital works project; however, when we reviewed the numbers, based on the
2010 assessment role, we found ways to maintain the mill rate. This was not
an easy accomplishment in light of other budgetary issues, and we are
pleased with the results” said Councillor Budgell.
The water/sewer tax for commercial and tax-exempt properties was changed to
6 mills of the assessed value of the property (minimum tax of $430). This
means an increase in the water/sewer tax for some properties in this class,
and a moderate increase in revenue for the Town. “During the budget process
we reviewed the taxation method for all classes and found some
irregularities in the system”, stated Councillor Budgell. “To ensure a
consistent application of taxation policies, Council decided to remove the
$300 + 3 mills method and replace it with 6 mills, which will apply equally
to commercial and tax-exempt properties. The most important aspect of this
policy change is the introduction of consistency.”
In many regards the 2010 Budget is the first step towards sustainability,
and measures were taken to ensure the estimates are realistic and relevant.
Mayor Hobbs added that “One of the most important characteristics of the
2010 Budget is that it is realistic. We have allocated for doubtful
accounts and matched estimates to actual expenses. Where cuts were needed
they were made to real costs, as opposed to paper figures. These measures
will ensure that spending more closely correlates to revenue, and with
prudence the budget targets will be achieved. The ultimate goal is to run a
small surplus or, at least, a balanced budget. By eliminating unnecessary
expenditures in 2010 and making the operations more efficient, it is our
hope that the burden in 2011 and subsequent years will be reduced. This is
the long-term benefit that we are working for.”
The 2010 Budget is very restrictive when it comes to expenditures. Past
practices that include fee reductions, donations, grants, and sponsorships
are practically eliminated. “It is time for Council to become more
responsible with the taxpayers’ money. Therefore, 2010 is going to be the
start of fiscal responsibility”, stated Mayor Hobbs.
In 2010 at least two (2) capital works projects will be implemented,
including phase one of the sewage treatment project and the replacement of
the boards at the stadium. “We are focused on implementing at least two
capital works projects in 2010, and they include the first phase of sewage
treatment and the replacement of the arena boards” said Mayor Hobbs.
“However, we are currently working with the Department of Municipal Affairs
to upgrade the Centre Access Road. If successful, this project will take
place in the spring and/or summer.”
Mayor Hobbs conveyed that “The 2010 Budget is the first step towards fiscal
sustainability. We have worked hard as a Council to stay within a fiscal
framework that maintains services and taxes, while at the same time
implementing substantial capital works projects. Our first budget achieves
these goals, and we are pleased to bring it to the community today”, stated
Councillor Budgell.
Copies of the 2010 Budget can be obtained by contacting the Town Office. It
will also be available on the Town’s website (www.bishopsfalls.ca)
on January 20, 2010.
Where
the money comes from
Where
the money is going
2010
Municipal Budget (pdf)
2010 Municipal
Budget Tax Schedule, Fees and General Policy (pdf)
News Release
Council Amends
Garbage/Refuse
Regulations
December 22,
2009
For Immediate
Release
Bishop’s
Falls, NL –
Robert (Bob)
Hobbs, Mayor of
the Town of
Bishop’s Falls,
today announces
that Council
amended the
Town of Bishop’s
Falls
Garbage/Refuse
Regulations
to allow
residents to use
garbage cans on
collection day.
“Last month the
Town began
enforcing a long
standing
regulation that
prohibited
residents from
storing garbage
bags in garbage
cans on
collection day.
We realize this
stipulation
simply defies
logic in today’s
environmentally
conscious
society, and I
am pleased to
state that
Council
responded today
by amending the
regulations
accordingly”
said Mayor
Hobbs.
Under the
regulations,
residents are
now permitted to
store garbage
bags in garbage
cans on
collection day.
The previous
policy regime
required
residents to
remove the bags
from the garbage
cans before
collection, but
this is no
longer the
case. All other
provisions of
the regulations
remain unchanged
that includes,
but not limited
to, the proper
disposal and
security of
garbage and
refuse.
“Residents must
keep in mind
that the garbage
bags must be
tied and
secured, and the
garbage can,
when used, must
be sanitary.
This amendment
to the
regulations does
not reduce the
burden on
residents to
ensure their
garbage is
disposed of
properly. They
are still
expected to,
among other
things, place
the garbage can
at the end of
the driveway for
collection”
stated Mayor
Hobbs.
The amendments
were adopted by
Council at a
special public
meeting on
December 22,
2009 and will
take effect
immediately. A
copy of the
regulations may
be obtained by
contacting the
Town Office.
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