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Service Nova Scotia and Municipal
Relations UpdateVillage Conference September
2010Bible Hill
SNSMR• Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations is a large diverse Department
• Our Mission Statement: To provide Nova Scotians with seamless, easy access to government information and numerous services in a cost-effective manner while maintaining the interests of the public and by working with municipalities to build strong communities throughout the province.
• Municipal Services is a division within the Department
Municipal Services Division
Organization
Advice, Assistance, AdvocacyPlanning Fram ew ork and Support
P la n n in g & A d v iso ry S erv ices
Federal Infrastructure SecretariatO ther Capital, Comm unity and O perating G rants
G ra n ts an d P ro gra m s
Tax Policy Developm entCorporate Support
Financial and Legislative Fram ew ork
P o licy a nd F ina n ce
E xe cu tive D ire c to r
Overview
• 33 Staff
• $168 Million dollars–contributions to Municipal government
• Advice/Assistance/Advocacy
Dreaded Words
• We are from the Province
•We are here to help!
What Kind Of Assistance
• Financial–Infrastructure programs
• Assistance with By-law approval–Subject to Ministerial Approval
• Special Problems–Gas pipeline taxation
• First point of contact–Municipal Advisors
What do Municipal Advisors do?
Nova Scotia Municipal Advisors
• Three Municipal Advisors for Nova Scotia
• Province divided into three territories
• Each has a Regional Municipality, towns, rural municipalities and villages–3 Regional Municipalities–52 Municipalities–22 Villages
Duties
• Provide advice to:–Regional municipalities–Towns–Rural municipalities–Villages–Boards and Commissions–Minister of SNSMR–Government of Nova Scotia–Public
Duties
• Provide advice on:–Local governance–Administration–Budgeting –Finance –Accounting –Auditing–Management –Anything else that may arise
ISSUES
Issues: CAP Program• Limits increase in assessments to CPI for eligible residential/resource properties
• Commitment to review program in 2010
• Review underway; to be completed by end of year
• Village input – your preferred method?–Written submissions to [email protected]
• All input will be brought back for Government’s consideration
Issues:Expenditure Management
Initiative(EMI) • Government has committed to
“Return to Balance” by 2013-14
• EMI comprehensive review of Department, Agencies and 3rd party spending–Determine opportunities for saving–60% of government expenditures are to 3rd party
–Will not be immune
Issues:Canso Dissolution
• Town of Canso has stated that it intends to apply to UARB for Dissolution
• Province has appointed a coordinator to assist with documentation, due diligence, etc.
• Want to have a smooth transition which benefits all citizens.
Issues:Infrastructure
Pipeline• Section 11 of the Gas Distribution System Municipal Taxation Act (2004) states that municipalities may provide a share of taxation revenues with villages.
• ANSV requested the legislation wording be changed from may to shall.
• No pipelines currently run through any villages but recognize potential for this to occur
• Villages’ concerns have been incorporated into the review, which is near completion
Issue:Village Report
• Was good work but a bit stale
• Has not been significant MGA amendments for a while
• May be time – should review paper
• One large review session–Department/Village Administrators