Municipal Budget 2025/26

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Council is committed to a robust Budget meeting process as they develop the 2025/2026 Budget, and the public is invited to get involved.

  • A dedicated project website is available at Engage.modl.ca/Budget2025 (sign up for direct email updates from that site).
  • All budget presentations will take place at meetings of the Finance Committee or Council and streamed on YouTube to ensure information is easily accessible.
  • An expanded Public Input Session will be held at six of the seven budget meetings.

The Budget process began with a Strategic Priorities Open House on February 6, where the public had the opportunity to comment on Council’s draft strategic priorities (final document in the Documents section).

At the first six meetings (see dates and times below), Council will receive budget-specific presentations. After the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to address Council, with a maximum five minutes per person, in a Public Input Session.

At the final meeting on Tuesday, April 8, Council will follow the standard 15-minute Public Input Session, with the time divided by those wishing to speak.

For those who cannot attend in person, the presentations will be recorded and available on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@modlnovascotia.

Budget Schedule

Tuesday, February 25, 9am in Council Chambers - watch the recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2-T-D9jeEQ

  1. The Director of Finance will present the Draft Operating Budget.
  2. After the Draft Operating Budget presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to address Council in a Public Input Session, with a maximum five minutes per person.
  3. Council will then deliberate on the staff content and public input.

Thursday, February 27, 6pm in Council Chambers - watch the recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/_aEN04-4mz0?si=WISTApe_gv4DtZG7

  1. The Director of Finance will present the Draft Operating Budget. This will be the same presentation delivered at the Tuesday, February 25 meeting.
  2. After the Draft Operating Budget presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to address Council in a Public Input Session, with a maximum five minutes per person.
  3. Council will then deliberate on the staff content and public input.

Tuesday, March 4, 9am in Council Chambers - watch the recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/qpX6JWNtDJM?si=cVNYfkt-g9ufHGkf

  1. The Director of Finance will present the Draft Capital Budget.
  2. After the Draft Capital Budget presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to address Council in a Public Input Session, with a maximum five minutes per person.
  3. Council will then deliberate on the staff content and public input.

Thursday, March 6, 6pm in Council Chambers

  1. The Director of Finance will present the Draft Capital Budget. This will be the same presentation delivered at the Tuesday, March 4 meeting.
  2. After the Draft Capital Budget presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to address Council in a Public Input Session, with a maximum five minutes per person.
  3. Council will then deliberate on the staff content and public input.

Tuesday, March 11, 9am in Council Chambers

  1. The Director of Finance will present the revised Draft Operating and Draft Capital Budget.
  2. After the Draft Operating and Draft Capital Budget presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to address Council in a Public Input Session, with a maximum five minutes per person.
  3. Council will then deliberate on the staff content and public input.

Tuesday, April 1, 9am in Council Chambers

  1. The Director of Finance will present the revised Draft Operating and Draft Capital Budget.
  2. After the Draft Operating and Draft Capital Budget presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to address Council in a Public Input Session, with a maximum five minutes per person.
  3. Council will then deliberate on the staff content and public input.

Tuesday, April 8, 6pm

  1. The meeting will open with our standard 15-minute Public Input Session, with the time divided by those wishing to speak.
  2. The Director of Finance will present the final Operating and Draft Capital Budget.
  3. Council will then vote on the Operating and Draft Capital Budget.


Council is committed to a robust Budget meeting process as they develop the 2025/2026 Budget, and the public is invited to get involved.

  • A dedicated project website is available at Engage.modl.ca/Budget2025 (sign up for direct email updates from that site).
  • All budget presentations will take place at meetings of the Finance Committee or Council and streamed on YouTube to ensure information is easily accessible.
  • An expanded Public Input Session will be held at six of the seven budget meetings.

The Budget process began with a Strategic Priorities Open House on February 6, where the public had the opportunity to comment on Council’s draft strategic priorities (final document in the Documents section).

At the first six meetings (see dates and times below), Council will receive budget-specific presentations. After the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to address Council, with a maximum five minutes per person, in a Public Input Session.

At the final meeting on Tuesday, April 8, Council will follow the standard 15-minute Public Input Session, with the time divided by those wishing to speak.

For those who cannot attend in person, the presentations will be recorded and available on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@modlnovascotia.

Budget Schedule

Tuesday, February 25, 9am in Council Chambers - watch the recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2-T-D9jeEQ

  1. The Director of Finance will present the Draft Operating Budget.
  2. After the Draft Operating Budget presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to address Council in a Public Input Session, with a maximum five minutes per person.
  3. Council will then deliberate on the staff content and public input.

Thursday, February 27, 6pm in Council Chambers - watch the recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/_aEN04-4mz0?si=WISTApe_gv4DtZG7

  1. The Director of Finance will present the Draft Operating Budget. This will be the same presentation delivered at the Tuesday, February 25 meeting.
  2. After the Draft Operating Budget presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to address Council in a Public Input Session, with a maximum five minutes per person.
  3. Council will then deliberate on the staff content and public input.

Tuesday, March 4, 9am in Council Chambers - watch the recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/qpX6JWNtDJM?si=cVNYfkt-g9ufHGkf

  1. The Director of Finance will present the Draft Capital Budget.
  2. After the Draft Capital Budget presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to address Council in a Public Input Session, with a maximum five minutes per person.
  3. Council will then deliberate on the staff content and public input.

Thursday, March 6, 6pm in Council Chambers

  1. The Director of Finance will present the Draft Capital Budget. This will be the same presentation delivered at the Tuesday, March 4 meeting.
  2. After the Draft Capital Budget presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to address Council in a Public Input Session, with a maximum five minutes per person.
  3. Council will then deliberate on the staff content and public input.

Tuesday, March 11, 9am in Council Chambers

  1. The Director of Finance will present the revised Draft Operating and Draft Capital Budget.
  2. After the Draft Operating and Draft Capital Budget presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to address Council in a Public Input Session, with a maximum five minutes per person.
  3. Council will then deliberate on the staff content and public input.

Tuesday, April 1, 9am in Council Chambers

  1. The Director of Finance will present the revised Draft Operating and Draft Capital Budget.
  2. After the Draft Operating and Draft Capital Budget presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to address Council in a Public Input Session, with a maximum five minutes per person.
  3. Council will then deliberate on the staff content and public input.

Tuesday, April 8, 6pm

  1. The meeting will open with our standard 15-minute Public Input Session, with the time divided by those wishing to speak.
  2. The Director of Finance will present the final Operating and Draft Capital Budget.
  3. Council will then vote on the Operating and Draft Capital Budget.


Discussions: All (5) Open (0)

  • Strategic Priority #1 - Regional Economic Development

    about 2 months ago
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    15 Responses
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    Support initiatives that focus on regional economic development

    1. Commercial development (cell service, zoning, advocate for small business)
    2. Regional industrial park (investment for future tax benefit)
    3. Establish a Regional Economic Network (REN; a new version of regional economic planning, development and connection)

    New projects identified by Council

    • Establishing Regional Economic platforms/partnerships
    • Explore collaboration on a regional industrial park (investment for future tax benefit)
    • Commercial development (expand advocacy in improving cell service, zoning, advocate for small business)

    Existing projects

    • E-permitting for Building services
    • Food hub project
    • Bio-economy Development Opportunity Zone initiative (bringing large scale/advanced tech forestry sector into the region)
    • Marketing Levy
    • Food Hub & Agriculture Marketing Plan
    • Osprey Village Enhancement Plan
    • Business retention, promotion, and expansion (i.e. for existing business here in the region)

     

    Go to discussion
    Replies Closed

  • Strategic Priority #2 - Infrastructure Upgrades, Expansion, and Management

    about 2 months ago
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    7 Responses
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

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    Planning and investing for growth

    1. Collaborate regionally to expand infrastructure that supports growth
    2. Create a plan that identifies needed infrastructure to support all types of housing
    3. Strengthen recreational assets to support our growing diverse communities

    New projects identified by Council

    • Collaborate regionally to expand infrastructure that supports growth
    • Create a plan that identifies needed infrastructure to support all types of housing
    • Strengthen recreational assets to support our growing diverse communities (further work required uses the parks standards document to identify priorities for recreational infrastructure investments)
    • Explore partnering with Bridgewater on a regional industrial park
    • Leveraging partnerships to improve cell coverage

    Existing projects

    • Re-create Parks Project
    • Wayfinding Project
    • Osprey Village Enhancement Plan
    • Wastewater Treatment Investments
    • Water Tower & Master Water Agreement
    Go to discussion
    Replies Closed

  • Strategic Priority #3 - Quality of Life

    about 2 months ago
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    3 Responses
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

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    Programs and services to maintain and improve the quality of life of our residents

    • Address loneliness/ reconnecting community
    • Recreation, parks & programs
    • Celebrating & preserving communities

    New projects identified by Council

    • Programming and initiatives that focus on addressing loneliness, reconnecting community, and celebrating & preserving existing communities

    Existing projects

    • Extensive Municipal Grant programs for community facilities and services
    • Good neighbour project (contingent on funding)
    • Food vibes project
    • Fire Services Training Strategy
    • Active Living & Active Transportation Strategy
    • Recreation guide & Programming
    • Hemlock Woolly Adelgid treatment program
    • Homeowner Clean Energy & Water financing programs
    • Property tax rebate - targeted relief
    • Pro Kids & Pro Fund
    Go to discussion
    Replies Closed

  • Strategy Priority #4 - Communication & Engagement

    about 2 months ago
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    3 Responses
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

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    Building a strong community fabric

    • Improve and increase public communication
    • Improve and increase public engagement
    • Focus on rebuilding community fabric

    New projects identified by Council

    • Programming and initiatives that focus on addressing loneliness, reconnecting community, and celebrating & preserving existing communities
    • Develop an app to better communicate with residents
    • Expand storytelling in municipal communications
    • Increase opportunities for residents to attend public engagement events online and in person
    • Move one monthly Council meeting to the evening
    • Hold Council in the Community meetings throughout the District

    Existing projects

    • Continued content creation for Engage.modl.ca, modl.ca, District of Lunenburg Digest, Municipal Matters, Fire Service newsletter
    Go to discussion
    Replies Closed

  • Strategic Lens for Evaluation

    about 2 months ago
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    2 Responses
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    The Municipality currently has some standard lenses which are routinely applied to the larger decisions brought forward to Council. The lenses provide a framework for staff to identify considerations for Council that relate to the issue. Currently the Municipality employs two formal lenses: Alignment with strategic plans and budget implications.

    In addition, Legislative changes from the province have resulted is staff making progress in applying an accessibility and inclusion lenses to capital projects prior to preparing budget recommendations.

    Staff recommend that Council adopt the following lenses evaluating larger decisions:

    • Strategic Focus: How does the initiative align with Councils established strategic priorities?
    • Finances/budget: what impact does the initiative have on the 5-year financial plan, is it accounted for in the approved operating/capital budget?
    • Sustainability/Climate Change: Does the initiative align with MODL’s Climate Action plan?
    • IDEA@MODL: What considerations are there for Council on our legislated and ethical requirement to becoming a more inclusive and equitable municipality?
    • Strategic Communications: What considerations for communications and/or public engagement are there for Council to consider?
    Go to discussion
    Replies Closed
Page last updated: 04 Mar 2025, 09:53 AM