2021-10-06
Region of Queens bullish about province’s pledge of more municipal aid
by KEVIN MCBAINLocal Journalism Initiative Reporter
Nova Scotia municipalities will have access to $32 million in new money from the province to help pay for crucial services, the province announced September 24.
The Municipal Financial Capacity Grant, or equalization grant, and the Town Foundation Grant are paid to towns and other municipalities needing assistance to fund a standard level of services such as police, fire protection and transportation.
The overall grant funding has been frozen for the past seven years at $30.4 million.
"Like all municipalities who receive equalization money, there are many important projects we must do, which we borrow for," said Region of Queens (RQM) Mayor Darlene Norman in an email. "This will certainly reduce our amount of money required to borrow, thus providing relief to our taxpayers as long-term borrowing comes at a cost."
How much money will receive this year is not immediately known. Last year, RQM received just over $1.2 million and it was added into the municipality's general revenues.
The extra funding will be given to municipalities this fall through these two programs. Work on a new Memorandum of Understanding for these funds is underway.
