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 bowenal@gov.ns.ca

• 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