(This is the first in a series of information that will be posted periodically in the Municipal Newsletter)

Financial

  • The municipality has been working on improving its Financial Condition Indicators (FCI) used by the Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs to monitor the state of municipalities in the province. For Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2017 the municipality had 10 green (low risk) indicators and three yellow (moderate risk) indicators
  • The municipality ended the last two fiscal years with operating surpluses that added $112,565 to the accumulated surplus. The accumulated surplus at the beginning of fiscal year 2018 / 2019 was $1,721,192
  • Grants to organizations total $37,000 over the past three years in addition to $9,000 in scholarships to students and $56,000 in District Grants
  • The Roy Steed Trust Fund was used to complete improvements at the RecPlex such as rebuilding compressors in 207/18 and the community enhancement initiative
  • The municipality undertook initiatives that resulted in uncollected taxes being reduced from 28% in 2014 to 9.7% in 2017
  • The municipality's debt-service ratio is at 6.5% which is substantially below the 15% target used by Muncipal Affairs as a warning level on municipal debt
  • Financial assistance was provided in the form of a $50,000 grant and loan guarantee to the Sherbrooke & Area Volunteer Fire Department for the new fire hall
  • The municipality committed to a $25,000 grant ($5,000 per year for 5 years) to the St. Martha's Hospital Fund for regional health care in the area
  • An Audit Committee was formed consisting of the seven councillors and a non-elected resident of the municipality, as per the new Provincial legislatin on municipal reporting (Bill 10)
  • For additional financial information including audited financial statements and approved budgets go to Finance

Infrastructure

  • Dry hydrants were installed in Denver, Liscomb, Ecum Secum, Port Bickerton, Jordanville and Goshen
  • Three projects were completed to replace all waterlines on the East side of the Sherbrooke Water System. Total cost of all three projects was over $2.1 million. Funding in the amount of $1.4 Million was provided by federal and provincial programs for the projects
  • Repaving of Court Street and sewer improvements were completed in 2016
  • Sherbrooke Library upgrades including flooring, windows, siding and a new roof were completed
  • The Municipality secured funding and engaged Seaside Wireless to install an internet tower and equipment inthe Spanish Ship Bay / Liscomb area