-by Rankin MacDonald
The Municipality of the County of Inverness has finally raised its tax rates after decades of keeping the rates the same year after year.
It was like a badge of honour for council over those years to keep the rates the same and not overburden their property owners.
But with inflation, mandatory tax increases and government cuts, the rates became “stagnant” and increases were necessary to conduct the business of the municipality.
The rates have gone up by nine cents per $100 of assessment.
The rates we became comfortable with were $1.05 per $100 of assessment for residential property and $1.91 for commercial property.
For 2026, the rates climb to $1.14 per $100 of assessment for residential property and $2 per $100 of assessment for commercial properties.
With less money from higher levels of government and increases for mandatory payment to services like Police Protection and Education and the t need for water an sewer upgrades, the council figured it was time to move forward with an eye to a better economic future.
This year, the municipality pays $4 million for Police services and over $5 million for Education in 2026/2027.
The Resource tax rate is set at $1.14 and the Forest property rate is set at 25 cents per acre.
Tax payments should be made by August 28th.
Wastewater Area Rates:
Wastewater Service Area Rate – Districts 1; 0.414 per $100 of assessment;
Wastewater Service Area Rate – District 3, 4, 5, 6; 0.425 per $100 assessment.
District 1:
Cheticamp Volunteer Fire Department: $ 0.10 per $100 of assessment;
Cheticamp Volunteer Fire Department (Commercial Rate): $0.06 per $100 of assessment;
Meat Cove Volunteer Fire Department: $ 60 per one dwelling;
Pleasant Bay Volunteer Fire Department: $125 per one dwelling.
District 2:
NorthEast Margaree Volunteer Fire Department: $0.10 per $100 of assessment;
Margaree Volunteer Fire Department: $0.10 per $100 of assessment;
Margaree Volunteer Fire Department (Commercial Rate): $0.10 per $100 of assessment;
LeMoine Volunteer Fire Department: $0.10 per $100 of assessment;
Lemoine Volunteer Fire Department (Commercial Rate): $0.10 per $100 of assessment.
District 3:
Inverness Volunteer Fire Department: $0.08 per $100 of assessment.
District 4:
Whycocomagh Volunteer Fire Department: $0.10 per $100 of assessment;
Lake Ainsle/Upper Margaree Volunteer Fire Department: $0.10 per $100 of assessment;
Valley Mills Volunteer Fire Department: $0.10 per $100 of assessment;
Blues Mills Volunteer Fire Department: $0.10 per $100 of assessment;
Blues Mills Volunteer Fire Department (Commercial Rate): $0.05 per $100 of assessment.
District 5:
Mabou (1 dwelling) Volunteer Fire Department: $150 per one dwelling;
Mabou (more than 1 dwelling) Volunteer Fire Department: $300 per more than two dwelling units;
Port Hood Volunteer Fire Department: $0.10 per $100 of assessment;
Port Hood Volunteer Fire Department (Commercial Rate): $0.06 per $100 of assessment.
District 6:
Port Hastings Volunteer Fire Department: $0.13 per $100 of assessment;
Judique Volunteer Fire Department: $0.10 per $100 of assessment;
West Bay Road Volunteer Fire Department: $0.15 per $100 of assessment.
Council will impose an additional percentage of one per cent per month on all rates and taxes remaining unpaid after August 28th, 2026, and fixes April 1st, 2027, as the day after which the tax collector may proceed to issue warrants for the collection on all rates and taxes then unpaid.
The 2026 General Operating Budget totalling $30,220,313 for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2027, was approved.
The water operating budget for 2026/2027 is $2,856,351.
The General Capital budget was set in the amount of $32,009,688.
The Water Capital Budget is $3,600,000 for this year.
The Municipality of Inverness County Council had this to add:
Municipality of Inverness County Council has approved the 2026–2027 operating and capital budget totalling $31,153,611, supporting continued investment in the infrastructure, programs and services residents rely on while addressing rising costs and planning for future growth.
The approved budget includes a nine-cent increase to both the residential and commercial property tax rates. The residential rate will increase from $1.05 to $1.14, and the commercial rate from $1.91 to $2.00, per $100 of assessed property value.
The budget was developed through Council discussions, financial analysis, and consideration of community priorities. While identifying efficiencies wherever possible, Council recognized the need to respond to increasing costs, maintain aging infrastructure and continue delivering essential municipal services.
“This budget reflects Council’s commitment to balancing fiscal responsibility with the needs of our community,” said Warden Bonny MacIsaac, Municipality of Inverness County. “While we recognize that any tax increase affects residents and businesses, it is necessary to ensure we can continue providing reliable services, maintain critical infrastructure and prepare for future growth.”
The tax rate increase will help address:
– Higher mandatory provincial contributions for services such as education, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Property Valuation Services Corporation, regional libraries and provincial roads.
– Provincial budget cuts have significantly reduced funding for municipal programs, including infrastructure projects and community organizations. As a result, many community organizations are now turning to the municipality to help offset the loss of provincial funding.
– Aging municipal infrastructure, including solid waste and recycling services, municipal buildings, vehicles, and equipment.
– Rising construction, workforce, and operating costs.
– Increased demands related to climate adaptation, emergency management, and disaster response.
– Growing housing pressures.
“We’ve heard from residents who are surprised to learn that municipalities are required to pay for services such as education and policing, while having no control over how much those costs increase each year,” added MacIsaac. “Over the past three years, mandatory provincial contributions have increased by more than $1.6 million, or 20.4 per cent. Today, nearly one-third of every municipal tax dollar is directed toward these provincially mandated costs.”
The tax rate increase is expected to generate approximately $1.59 million in additional revenue, helping offset the approximately $1.6 million increase in mandatory provincial contributions.
While the increase represents a change for property owners, municipal tax rates have remained relatively stable over the long term. Residential tax rates have declined from $1.50 in 1978 to $1.05 in 2025, while commercial tax rates have decreased from $2.30 to $1.91 over the same period.
Even with the approved increase, Inverness County’s property tax rates will remain well below the provincial average, 31 per cent lower for residential properties and 48 per cent lower for commercial properties.
For residential properties, the increase will add approximately:
– $115 annually for a home with a taxable assessed value of $127,644 (the average taxable assessment in Inverness County).
– $270 annually for a home with a taxable assessed value of $300,000.
– $360 annually for a home with a taxable assessed value of $400,000.
Sewer rates are not changing as part of the 2026–2027 budget. The new property tax rates will take effect for the 2026–2027 fiscal year and will be reflected on property tax bills issued in July 2026.
The 2026–2027 capital plan includes investments in:
– Water and wastewater infrastructure.
– Solid waste and environmental services.
– Recreation and community facilities.
– Transportation and active transportation networks.
The Municipality will also continue to maximize external funding opportunities. Approximately 74 per cent of the 2026–2027 capital program is funded through provincial and federal partners, meaning every municipal dollar invested is expected to leverage approximately $2.75 in additional funding for community infrastructure.
More information about the 2026–2027 budget, including budget documents and project details, is available at Budget 2026-2027 | Municipality of the County of Inverness.