A surplus of $6.3 million in Baie-Comeau in 2021

This surplus can be explained by several factors, explained the treasurer and finance director, Jeanie Caron. A little over $2.5 million had been set aside to balance the budget for the year 2021, but was ultimately not used.

” A 6.3 million surplus this year really leads us to be able to ensure stability for at least the next two years. »

Savings of $2 million were also realized due to COVID-19. Among other things, provincial emergency aid was given to the City for public transit. Premises were also rented to the Côte-Nord Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) to carry out screening tests, which generated revenue.

The Treasurer of the City of Baie-Comeau, Jeanie Caron (archives)

Photo: Radio-Canada / Benoit Jobin

Also due to the pandemic, savings have also been made in recreation and arts and culture.

We remember that at the beginning of the year, there was a confinement of a few weeks and then it spread out with impacts on our activities later in the year. So it has [créé] savingsdevelops the treasurer.

The City has also sought additional revenues of 2 million, in particular with property taxes, the imposition of duties in the sale of properties and businesses, confirmations of funding for the operation of the municipality, as well as in fines and penalties. .

However, an overspending of $300,000 was recorded in 2021, particularly due to paving. We had a lot of asphalt work to do last year. However, less money was spent on snow removal in 2021. These savings were used to finance municipal road works, adds Jeanie Caron.

Working capital

Of the $6.3 million surplus, $2 million will be injected into the working capital of the City of Baie-Comeau.

The mayor of Baie-Comeau, Yves Montigny (archives)

Photo: Radio-Canada / Benoit Jobin

When we will have investments to make, we will be able to borrow from ourselves and we will not pay interestrejoices the mayor of Baie-Comeau, Yves Montigny.

At the same time, we will be able to face the challenges that are comingadds the mayor. Among others, the problem of housing shortage, lack of manpower, businesses and SMEsmall and medium-sized enterprise who have difficulty growing […] because there is a lack of childcare places, because there is a lack of transporthe states.

The debt borne by the citizen decreases

From year to year, the part of the debt that is the responsibility of the citizen decreases in Baie-Comeau.

For example, in 2007, the debt was almost entirely the responsibility of the citizens through the property tax and the government contribution was almost nil.

” Baie-Comeau currently has the lowest level of indebtedness in 15 years. »

Yves Montigny explains that for the past few years, the City has been working mainly on new projects whose funding is provided by assistance from the provincial or federal government.

With each project we carry out, we always have the choice to say to ourselves, do we prioritize projects where there are no government programs? Or if we wait for projects related to grant programs?says Mr. Montigny.