TRANSIT TAX CLARIFICATION

Back in my July 2009 newsletter ( Issue #140), I reported about HRM new transit tax structure.  This is not a new tax but a re-defined levy that used to be part of the General Tax Rate. Only now, it is more transparent.

In the past, we all paid for various "Regional Transportation" initiatives such as the Ferries, Metro-Link, and now with the implementation of the new Metro-X Rural Express service. Under this revised substitute system, (for an one year trial basis), there will be 4.5 cents per $100 of assessment for those aforementioned general regional transit services.

This rate will be spread across most of HRM - primarily the Urban, Suburban, and Rural Commutershed areas. (Basically from Head of Jeddore to Hubbards, with the exclusion of the Agricultural Area of the Musquodoboit Valley and the Resource Area of the Eastern Shore beyond Oyster Pond).

For more detailed mapping, go to : http://www.halifax.ca/revenue/tax/documents/RegionalTransportationMap.pdf .

In regards to any "Local Transit" Tax rate, this second transit levy of 8.8 cents per $100 of assessment is levied for local transit services. This will only apply to those properties within 1 km of a local transit route. Please note that the old area rate tax for community transit ( 5.6 cents for the Preston-Porters Lake service) has been eliminated.  

For more taxation information on this subject, please refer to:  http://www.halifax.ca/revenue/tax/taxmain.html .

For more details about HRM Regional Transit Strategy and Implementation plans; please go  to these reports at HRM web-page links:

http://www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/news/documents/RegionalTransitPlan.pdf
and
www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/news/documents/MetroTransit5YearApproach.pdf

LOCAL HEALTH SURVEY RESULTS

Our Community Health Boards (CHBs), in collaboration with the Capital District Health Authority (CDHA) and the IWK Health Centre, have completed the first ever comprehensive community health survey undertaken in the capital district.

The purpose of this survey is to obtain a baseline of local, reproducible, and comparable quantitative data on the health status and health behaviours of individuals living in our region. The survey will be used to support the development of community health plans for each of the CHB areas and guide business planning within Capital Health. And, hopefully inform and influence public policy at all three levels of government.

In October, the CDHA is hosting several community conversations, one in each CHB areas. The purpose is to inform the citizens of the results of the survey in their area. Comparisons to district level data will also be made. These conversations will also assist Capital Health in identifying priorities for action. CDHA believe that the results of the survey will be useful to HRM in planning programs and services. Therefore, it is hoped that citizens will be encouraged to attend at least one of the community conversations listed below.

All of the sessions will be held from 6:30-8:30 PM with a meet and greet beforehand at 6 PM:

Tuesday, Oct. 6^th  - Dartmouth area CHB at the Dartmouth North Community Centre.

Thursday, Oct. 8^th - Southeastern CHB (The Prestons, Westphal-Cole Harbour, Mineville) at the Cole Harbour Place Library.

Wednesday, Oct. 14^th - Eastern Shore/ Musquodoboit Valley CHB at the Gaetz Brook Junior High School.

To register, contact Tammy English at 869-6162 or tammy.english@cdha.nshealth.ca.

FEDERAL HELP WITH PROJECTS

I am pleased to inform you that a recent  Federal/Provincial/Municipal announcement  about a $33.6 Million stimulus funding package for 11 projects throughout HRM included a local bridge proposal.

The replacement of the Ernst Mill Bridge on Lake Major Road is expected to cost $1.5 Million. This project will include an active transportation trail component with a bikeway sidewalk. Another notable project is the Sheet Harbour bridge to bridge Trail way/Sidewalk and Storm sewer project which is estimated at $3.5 Million. As well there is $2 million in cost-shared funding to help with the stone facade restoration of historic Halifax City Hall.

Also announced, under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, the Titans Gymnastic Club on Broom Road in Westphal will get $ 346,646 in Federal aid towards its new $1,039,939 clubhouse “Gymcentre” project.

It is good to see that some of our Federal & Provincial contributions will help the municipality with these local projects.

Sincerely,

Councillor  David  Hendsbee  
H.R.M. DISTRICT 3 COUNCILLOR
PRESTON/LAWRENCETOWN/CHEZZETCOOK

1 Chamberlain Drive, Westphal, NS, B2Z 1B1
829-2465 ( Home Office ) 483-0705 ( Cell )
490-4050 ( Hfx. City Hall ) 829-3620 ( Fax )
david@hendsbee.ns.ca & hendsbd@halifax.ca