• Municipal Council approved the proposed 2026-2027 operating budget reflecting revenues of $29,060,700 and expenditures of $29,060,700.

• Municipal Council approved the 2026-2027 operating budget base taxation rates for all residential and resource assessments of $1.025 per $100 of assessment, and a commercial tax rate of $1.80 per $100 of assessment.

• Municipal Council approved 2026-2027 operating budget area rates for all residential and resource assessments in Bridgetown of 34.78 cents per $100 of assessment, and a commercial area rate of 55.60 cents per $100 of assessment, and a taxation area rate for all properties in the Village of Lawrencetown of the amount to be approved by the Lawrencetown Village Commission.

• Municipal Council approved fire hydrant taxation rates for the 2026-2027 fiscal year based on $100 of assessment as follows:

                Margaretsville    District 2          9.02 cents 

                Inglewood          District 3       18.78 cants

                Granville Ferry   District 4/5    13.87 cents

                Carleton Corner District 7       16.11 cents  

                Church Street    District 3          7.08 cents

                Middleton           District 2/9    24.48 cents            

                Cornwallis Park  District 6       27.52 cents

                Bridgetown         District 3/7    23.68 cents

• Municipal Council approved a 2026-2027 operating budget area rate for the provision of streetlights per $100 of all assessment accounts of 3.41 cents.

• Municipal Council approved fire taxation rate for the 2026-27 fiscal year based on $100 of assessment as follows:

                 Kingston Fire Commission      District 1/11  To be determined by Fire Commission

                 Fire Capital                              All districts    6.11 cents

• Municipal Council approved street paving taxation rates for the 2026-2027 fiscal year based on $100 of assessment as follows:

                 Cameron Drive              District 1       1.21 cents

                 Brookside/Pine Grove   District 1       5.02 cents

                 Bradley Street               District 1       3.26 cents

                 Ward Estates                District 11     $366.40 (lump sum)

• Municipal Council approved the due date for property taxation bills of June 30, 2026, and that all rates and taxes outstanding after this date be subject to interest at a rate of 12% per annum.

• Municipal Council approved a sewer rate for all publicly connected properties or have the ability to connect to the County sanitary sewer system of $618.42 per year; and for all properties connected or have the ability to connect to the Bridgetown sanitary sewer system, a rate of $2.99 per cubic meter plus a quarterly base rate of $24.34.

• Municipal Council approved the proposed 5-year Capital Investment Plan reflecting financial investments over 5 years of $30,385,000; and a 2026-2027 capital investment of $3,010,000.

 

For further details on the featured highlights, please click here to view agenda package.

Please be advised, this document represents only highlights taken from the Municipal Council meeting. If you wish to see the Council meeting in its entirety, please visit Annapolis County Municipal Channel

 

The Municipality of the County of Annapolis has approved its 2026–2027 Operating and Capital Budget, focused on maintaining essential services while planning for future infrastructure and community needs.

Municipal revenue is projected to increase by approximately $1.6 million, largely due to higher property assessments, properties coming off capped assessments following sales, and increased Deed Transfer Tax revenue.

At the same time, the Municipality continues to face rising costs, particularly for provincially mandated expenses such as education contributions and RCMP services. A significant portion of municipal tax revenue goes toward these required costs, which are outside municipal control.

“This budget reflects careful planning in a time when costs continue to rise,” said Warden Diane LeBlanc. “Council’s focus is on ensuring we can maintain the services residents depend on while also preparing for future projects and infrastructure needs.”

The budget supports core services such as fire protection, road and building maintenance, recreation, planning, and community development. It also includes continued investment in infrastructure, protective services, and economic development, while strengthening financial reserves.

Municipal tax rates will remain unchanged for the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

“Council worked to find the right balance between meeting today’s needs and planning responsibly for the future,” added Warden LeBlanc.

A full overview of the 2026–2027 budget will be available online.

Road Naming Process (Deep Brook) – Municipal Council approved the road name “Cliffside Way” for the shared access road in Deep Brook.

Road Naming Process (New Albany) – Municipal Council approved the road name “Trappers Lane” for the shared access road in Albany New.

Guarantees for Valley Region Solid Waste Resource-Management – Municipal Council approved the Valley Region Solid Waste-Resource Management Authority Guarantee Resolution in the amount of $89,961 to replace the guarantee for capital projects completed in 2025-26 from the prior year’s budget that expired.

Administration Building Renovations Pre-Approval Form – Municipal Council authorized the required pre-approval form for the administration building renovations to participate in the Finance and Treasury Board’s upcoming Spring Debenture offering.

Bridgetown Water Utility Refinancing Pre-Approval – Municipal Council authorized the required pre-approval form for debenture MFC 31-A-1 for refinancing the upcoming balloon payment for the Bridgetown Water Utility to participate in the Finance and Treasury Board’s upcoming Spring Debenture offering.

Funding for Lawrencetown Medical Clinic – Municipal Council approved funding in the amount of $4,972 (+ non-recoverable HST) to the Village of Lawrencetown for medical equipment to be used at the Lawrencetown Community Health Centre.

Trunks and Routes Paving Program– It was approved to submit municipal paving priorities containing a 0.6km portion of Church St., Bridgetown, and a 0.9km portion of Granville St., Bridgetown, for re-paving under the 5-year trunks and routes provincial re-paving program at the estimate cost of $1,500,000.

Lake Pleasant Boat Launch Upgrades – Municipal Council approved $50,000 from the 2025-2026 Operating Budget to the Operating Reserve to be used in 2026-27.

 
Pursuant to recommendations from Special Budget Committee of the Whole held on February 19, 2026:

Area Rate Study – Municipal Council directed the CAO to perform a study during the 2026-27 fiscal year that will review all current and potential area rates within Annapolis County and provide potential options for consideration.

Administrative Building Assessment Project – Municipal Council approved amendment to the capital budget for the Administrative Building Assessment project for the 2026-27 budget to be funded by the operation reserve.

Munro Lake Amendment - Municipal Council approved to amend the Munro Lake amount in the capital budget to $20,000.

Shannon River Park Upgrade – Municipal Council approved the addition to the 2026-27 capital budget for an upgrade to Shannon River Park in the amount of $15,000 coming from the recreation reserve.

Planning Advisory Committee:

Municipal Council approved first reading and set a public hearing date of April 21, 2026, to consider the amendment application that redesignates 148/150 South St. from Mixed Use to Residential and rezones it from Mixed Use (MX) to Multi-Unit Residential (R2).

Municipal Council approved first reading and set a public hearing date of April 21, 2026, to consider an application submitted by the Bear River Fire Department to amend the text of Cornwallis Park Secondary Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw to allow Public Use in the Light Industrial (IND) zone.

Municipal Council approved first reading of its intent to support amendments to the Future Land Use Map and Zoning Map of the Annapolis County Planning Area and set a public hearing date of April 21, 2026.

Policy: Approved

Policy 114 Council Remuneration

For further details on the featured highlights, please click here to view agenda package.

Please be advised, this document represents only highlights taken from the Municipal Council meeting. If you wish to see the Council meeting in its entirety, please visit Annapolis County Municipal Channel.

The Province’s Check Before You Burn program provides daily updates on burn restrictions at
novascotia.ca/burnsafe or by calling 1-855-564-2876.

As the 2026 wildfire risk season gets underway, Annapolis REMO is urging everyone to take proactive steps to reduce wildfire risk and protect their properties. Wildfire season in Nova Scotia officially opens on this Sunday, March 15^th and runs until October 15^th.

In 2025, Annapolis County experienced the significant Long Lake Wildfire, which required a coordinated response from local fire departments, the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, Emergency Management partners, and municipal officials. The incident served as a strong reminder of how quickly conditions can change during dry and windy periods.

Brian Orde, Annapolis Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO) Coordinator, emphasized the importance of readiness. “The Long Lake Wildfire (West Dalhousie) showed us that wildfire risk is very real here at home,” said Orde. “Our fire services, provincial partners, and volunteers worked together exceptionally well, but prevention is always our strongest defence. We’re asking residents to stay alert, follow burn restrictions, and take steps now to FireSmart their properties.”

Residents living near wooded areas are encouraged to take simple FireSmart steps, such as clearing leaves and debris from around homes, trimming trees and shrubs, keeping grass cut short, and using fire-resistant materials where possible. Further FireSmart tips are available through FireSmart Canada online resources and social media.

Jennifer Daniels, Annapolis County Fire Services Coordinator added that early-season conditions can be especially dangerous. “While many people associate wildfire season with the spring, the reality is that drought and changing climate patterns are increasing the risk throughout much of the year. We all have a shared responsibility to stay alert, follow burn restrictions, and take proactive steps to mitigate wildfire hazards in our communities.”

“With wildfire season underway, we’re asking residents to stay informed and follow provincial burn restrictions,” said Orde. “Simple actions like checking the daily burn status, properly extinguishing fires, and reporting concerns right away can make a significant difference. Prepared and informed communities are one of the most effective ways we can reduce wildfire risk across Annapolis County.”

The Province’s Check Before You Burn program provides daily updates on burn restrictions at novascotia.ca/burnsafe or by calling 1-855-564-2876. If you see a wildfire, call 9-1-1 immediately. To report illegal burning that is not an active wildfire, contact Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-565-2224.

For additional wildfire preparedness information, visit novascotia.ca or Annapolis REMO’s website at https://www.annapolisremo.ca/knowtherisks/risk-types/wildfires. Follow Annapolis REMO on Facebook for local updates and preparedness messaging.