Published Jun 16, 2025 • Last updated 15 hours ago • 3 minute readYarmouth Town Hall. TINA COMEAU Photo by Tina Comeau /.The Town of Yarmouth has approved an operating budget with revenues in the amount of $21,520,064 and expenses of $21,310,064 for a surplus of $210,000 for its general operations for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026.The budget includes what the town is calling “a modest residential and commercial tax rate increase needed to maintain high levels of service to residents.”THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentTo counter increased costs, town council approved tax rate increases of 1.2 per cent (2 cents) for residential and 0.9 per cent (4 cents) for commercial.“As an example of what this rate increase translates to for property owners, for a residential taxable assessment of $200,000, the 1.2 per cent (2 cents) rate increase equates to a $40 increase for the year, or $3.33 per month,” reads a media release from the town.Town council discussed and approved the 2025-26 operation budget at its June monthly meeting on June. 12.The town says in recent years, rising costs and inflation have impacted every town department and service. It says Yarmouth is not unique and that this is a trend across the entire province and indeed the country.“Staff has been faced with the challenge of continuing to provide a high level of service to residents, while keeping those services within budget,” the town says. “While this approach has been successful, continued cost increases have made it much more difficult to maintain.”Article contentFor instance, it points to these cost increases over the last fiscal year:• Winter street salting costs rose by 119 per cent or $189,000• Insurance costs increased 5.4 per cent or $21,755 (total insurance bill is $555,000)• Education costs increased 7.4 per cent or $115,000• Policing is up 8 per cent or $205,000In addition to this, wastewater treatment costs rose by 23 per cent for chemicals, 14 per cent for treatment plant fuels, and maintenance and supplies went up by 52 per cent.“There is no question that inflation has hit us all. The town is very fortunate to have a staff that works tremendously hard to find every way to save costs, and a council whose wish is to hold the line as long as possible, especially given the economics of the day,” says Mayor Pam Mood.“While we’ve continued to provide high levels of service to our community, and are proud to continue in this manner, the increases noted above, along with increases across the board in every department, has made this small (tax) increase necessary,” she says. “Times are difficult for so many, and we will keep working on ways to lessen the burden while still maintaining our high quality of service to residents, businesses and organizations that call Yarmouth home.”Article contentRead More Mun. of Argyle introduces ‘modest’ residential tax rate increase to offset higher costs No tax rate increases in Municipality of Yarmouth’s budget The following are the 2025-26 operational budget highlights and rates:• The budget has revenues of $21,520,064 and expenses of $21,310,064 for a surplus of $210,000.• As per the last 15 years, the town continues to set aside funds in reserves for depreciation in the budget, this year in the amount of $2,300,000.• This year’s budget provides over $5 million in capital projects, without adding any debt.• Tax rates: Residential $1.71 and Commercial $4.35, both around a 1 per cent increase over the prior year.• As of December 2024, Town of Yarmouth transit is now free, providing a valuable, accessible service that benefits seniors, students, residents, and visitors.• The low-income tax rebate is being offered again this year, offering assistance for applicable homeowners. The rebate program is budgeted at $26,000.Article content• Garbage rate is $205 per residential unit. No increase over the prior year. The town collects residential waste for buildings with up to 4 units.• Interest on overdue tax accounts remains at 14 per cent.• Residential Tax assessments increased 5.4 per cent, however most residential properties – 79.6 per cent – are capped at 1.5 per cent. Commercial assessments are up 0.99 per cent.• Continued support for downtown businesses: tax phase-in rebates budgeted at nearly $50,000 and Facade Program funding of $15,000.• Green energy revenues budgeted at $105,500.The full 2025-26 operational budget can be found on the town’s website.Article content
Town of Yarmouth approves ‘modest’ tax increase to help with higher costs
