Press Releases

Details: Category: Press Releases; Published: 26 August 2026

Yarmouth Town Council has approved a balanced operating budget of $28,710,919 for the 2026-27 fiscal year, ending March 31, 2027. The budget includes $28,710,919 in both projected revenues and expenses. Municipal tax rates remain unchanged, with no increases to garbage or sewer rates.

Yarmouth Town Council Approves 2026-27 Operating Budget

Balanced budget maintains tax rates and core service levels

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 - Yarmouth, N.S. – Yarmouth Town Council has approved a balanced operating budget of $28,710,919 for the 2026-27 fiscal year, ending March 31, 2027. The budget includes $28,710,919 in both projected revenues and expenses. Municipal tax rates remain unchanged, with no increases to garbage or sewer rates.

Rising costs and inflation continue to affect Town departments and services. Staff are working to maintain reliable services while managing higher costs for materials, fuel, insurance and other essential operations within a balanced budget. Growth in the Town’s overall assessment base provided additional revenue this year to help offset those pressures, allowing Council to maintain residential and commercial tax rates at their current levels.

Several significant expenses are reflected in this year’s budget, including:

Heating oil: $259,000; fuel: $177,760; and chemicals: $195,000
Insurance: $521,824
Education: an increase of 4.1% or $68,672 for a total of $1,741,224
Policing: an increase of 13.79%, or $400,000 for a total of $3,300,000

“We are living in difficult and uncertain times. Council understands that residents and businesses are already feeling financial pressure, and has made holding the tax rate a priority. The Town is experiencing the same rise in costs and we have worked carefully to ensure continued reliable services, maintain our infrastructure and manage taxpayers’ dollars responsibly. This is our ‘stay-the-course' budget, focused on stability: continuing to move our community forward while recognizing that, right now, asking more from taxpayers is simply not where we want to be. We are in this together." - Mayor Pam Mood

2026-27 Operating Budget Highlights & Rates

The Town’s 2026–27 operating budget totals $22,710,919, including $22,710,919 in projected revenues and expenses, resulting in a balanced operating budget. The budget also reflects $6,000,000 in donations received for the Mariners Centre expansion and a corresponding $6,000,000 payment toward the project. Including these pass-through amounts, total budgeted revenues and expenses are $28,710,919.
The Town continues to set aside funds in reserves for depreciation, with $2,400,000 included in this year’s budget.
This year’s budget provides $4 million for new capital work, including the Mariners Centre expansion.
Tax rates remain unchanged: residential, $1.71; commercial, $4.35.
Assessment-based growth: Residential assessments increased by 7.41% and commercial assessments by 5.63% overall, providing approximately $867,718 in additional revenue. Property assessments are determined by Property Valuation Services Corporation, not the Town. Individual property assessments and resulting tax bills may vary based on changes to a property’s assessed value.
Town of Yarmouth Transit remains free, providing an accessible service for seniors, students, residents and visitors.
The low-income tax rebate is being offered again this year to eligible homeowners, with $20,000 budgeted for the program.
The garbage rate remains unchanged at $205 per residential unit. The Town collects residential waste from buildings with up to four units.
Sewer rates remain unchanged.
Interest on overdue tax accounts remains at 14%.
Continued support for downtown businesses: Tax phase-in rebates are budgeted at nearly $50,000, and Façade Program funding has increased from $15,000 to $35,000.
The paving and patching budget has increased by $55,000, to $215,000.
No debt payments: The Town has been debt-free since 2023-24.
Green energy revenues budgeted at $95,000.

The full 2026-27 operational budget can be found at https://www.townofyarmouth.ca/departments/finance/annual-budget/operating-budgets

Details: Category: Press Releases; Published: 28 July 2026

New shelters increase safety and accessibility for residents, funded through a federal program

Details: Category: Press Releases; Published: 11 February 2026

The historic property has been transferred to Land’s End Arts & Culture Society for $1 with hopes of it becoming an anchor for arts and culture in downtown Yarmouth.

Details: Category: Press Releases; Published: 31 October 2025

A major infrastructure project is underway on Water Street in Yarmouth. The project, awarded to Aberdeen Paving Ltd. following a competitive tender process, will bring significant improvements to the area between Gardner Street and Richards Lane.

Work to be carried out over the coming weeks includes the installation of a new sanitary sewer system with manholes, a storm sewer with catch basins, curb and asphalt reinstatement, and associated landscaping.

The upgrades were approved by Council at its October 14th meeting, with the contract awarded to Aberdeen in the amount of $882,402.40. The funding is comprised of 537,402.40 from the Government of Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund, and $345,000 from Mirza Holdings Incorporated. The upgrades will support Mirza’s new housing development of 27 units with estimated completion in the summer of 2026, and a phase 2 project To be completed in 2027.

“Our government is committed to giving local governments the support they need to drive housing supply and bring down housing costs. More than 200 municipalities across Canada are making changes that will cut red tape and fast-track housing and Yarmouth is one of them. It’s an example of what’s possible when governments work together. It’s also another step forward in our bold, ambitious plan to build Canada strong. “ – Jessica Fancy, Member of Parliament for South Shore—St. Margarets.

"These upgrades represent yet another significant investment in Yarmouth's infrastructure. We have completed several projects of this nature in recent years, and this one is much-needed, especially with a significant new housing project under construction in that area. This work reflects the town's commitment to upgrading key infrastructure to support new housing for our residents."–Mayor Pam Mood.

"Mirza Holdings Inc. is pleased to see this project underway and also to have contributed financially to help make it happen. We chose this area to build housing as we believe it has much to offer. It is close to all amenities, offers beautiful waterfront views, and is close to the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. This can help to attract and provide housing for doctors and other medical professionals. These upgrades make it possible for our projects to happen and improve the entire area for future development."–Mirza Holdings Representative.

Construction is expected to reach substantial completion within eight weeks. The work will lead to street closures and occasional water disruptions, all of which will be announced in advance.

This project is an initiative funded in part by the Government of Canada and its Housing Accelerator Fund. To learn more about the fund, as well as the Town's Action Plan, please visit https://www.townofyarmouth.ca/housing-accelerator-fund.html