Miramichi’s residential tax rate remains same as city council approves 2025 budget
Miramichi City Council passed the General Operating and Capital Budgets and the Utility Operating and Capital Budgets at a Special Council Meeting on December 10th.
Miramichi City Council approved the City of Miramichi’s 2025 budget at a special public council meeting on December 10th. Council held three days of public deliberations on November 19th, November 26th, and December 3rd before adopting the final budget on December 10th which includes four separate budgets:
General Operating Budget – funds municipal programs and services
Utility Operating Budget– funds the provision of water and sewerage services
Utility Capital Budget – funds new construction as well as updates to existing infrastructure
General Capital Budget – funds new construction as well as updates to existing infrastructure
The City’s residential tax rate will remain the same at 1.715 per $100 assessment.
“Despite the cost of everything increasing – and we felt that in this chamber as many people including us, are feeling this at home – we are not raising the tax rate again this year,” said Mayor Adam Lordon.
He added it was a credit to everyone to be able to maintain the service levels and increase it at many levels despite all the increases in costs.
Lordon said he’s hopeful the new provincial government will honour their commitment to proceed with the fiscal portion of municipal reform.
“We know we that we are structurally underfunded as municipalities in this province by $200 million and we can certainly feel that here in this chamber this year more than we ever have.”
Treasurer Nancy Gorman said a significant part of preparing a budget involves all departments striving to reduce their operational costs through efficiencies and eliminating waste and yet maintain the same level of quality service delivery to the citizens and businesses of Miramichi.
She added 80.36 per cent of the budget is dedicated to investing in the sustainability of City programs, services and maintenance of infrastructure.
“In 2025, a little over 5 million will be used to support capital projects, up by approximately $1 million over last year.”
Mayor Lordon highlighted initiatives in the budget that focus on planning for the City’s future and strategic growth. Watch here to hear more of what he had to say.
Highlights of the 2025 Utility Operating Budget ($6.5 million)
Budget has decreased by $56,734 from 2024
The 2024 surplus provides an increase of $92,566 in revenue
No increase to water and sewerage rates in 2025. Water cost per cubic meter will remain at $1.29. The residential sewerage flat rate will remain at $99.03 per quarter.
Average quarterly bill for family of 4 would be $103.50 for water, $99.03 for sewer for an average yearly billing of $810.12
Highlights of the 2025 Utility Capital Budget ($2.9 million)
$650,000 for Newcastle Lagoon – dredging and curtain replacement
$925,000 for the water and sewer component of two 2 street reconstruction projects
$650,000 for Vye’s Hollow Lift Station
Highlights of the 2025 General Operating Budget ($46.6 million)
The residential tax rate will remain the same at $1.715 per $100 of assessment.
The residential tax rate in the former Nelson Local Service District will increase by 5 cents to $0.7308 per $100 of assessment.
The residential tax rate in the former Newcastle Service District will increase by 5 cents to $0.7143 per $100 of assessment.
Non-residential (commercial) tax rates and heavy industrial tax rate will remain at 1.6 times the local residential rate.
A new position was created in the Public Works Department.
Highlights of the 2025 General Capital Budget ($51 million)
$41 million for Miramichi Multiplex project
$6.8 million for road work and sidewalks. Projects include annual resurfacing of city streets at $2 million, $550,000 for Phase 2 of construction of stormwater system in Kerr Park, and $1.3 million for roof repair at the Eco Centre plus other projects.
$1,550,000 in renewal and upgrades to equipment and buildings
$450,000 in land improvements.
$1,590,000 in ongoing fleet replacement including replacement of vehicles for the fire and police departments, and a transit bus.
For more information please contact:
Gail Harding
Communications Officer
gail.harding@miramichi.org