Respecting the Establishment and Use of Community Area Rates In the Halifax Regional Municipality

What is a community area rate?

A community area rate is a uniform charge levied on a specific community boundary to support recreational activities or community capital projects such as the implementation of sidewalks. They are administered through a community not for profit association.

How can my community form a community area rate?

A community area rate can be established by following the steps outlined in the Administrative Order 2019-005-ADM Respecting the Establishment and Use of Community Area Rates In the Halifax Regional Municipality. This begins with a community association which has been established through the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stocks (NSRJS) submitting a proposal to HRM staff.

Can HRM assist with forming a community not for profit association?

No, information on forming an association can be found through the NSRJS.

What is required to be included in the proposal to establish a community area rate?

The proposal shall include:

(a) the purpose for which the rate is to be established;

(b) the anticipated duration of time during which the rate will be applied;

(c) the proposed amount of the rate;

(d) the method by which the rate is proposed to be levied, which shall be as a uniform charge by

dwelling unit or by taxable property assessment in the catchment area;

(e) the proposed catchment area for the rate boundary and an explanation as to why that

boundary is appropriate; and

(f) a proposed financial plan for the use of the funds, including:

    (i) how the funds will be expended; and

    (ii) any other sources of revenue to be combined with the funds

How is a proposed community area rate calculated?

The community association is responsible for determining the proposed rate based upon their estimated annual financial needs. The rate is calculated either by applying a uniform charge to each taxable property within the catchment area, or by applying a rate per $100 of assessment value to each taxable property.

Regional Council Approval

Council may accept, decline, or modify the proposal for a rate, and may impose conditions on the expenditure thereof. The area rate will be set annually by resolution of Council, at its sole discretion, pursuant to the HRM Charter. Approval of a rate for a subsequent taxation year is at the discretion of the Council.

How is the community area rate collected?

The municipality will collect the community area rate through the property tax bill. In the first year, the full annual area rate fee will be charged on the September tax bill. In future years, the area rate will be broken out into two installments. The community area rate collected by the municipality will be paid to the community association annually, once approved by Regional Council and upon receipt of the annual documentation as required by HRM staff.

The community association must remain in good standing with the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stocks.

Is there help from the municipality?

The municipality will administer the collection of the rate and assist an applicant with the process for the establishment of the rate.

Steps to Establishing a Community Area Rate

Step 1: The community association submits a proposal to HRM staff through the email address arearateinfo@halifax.ca which will be reviewed for completeness and that it complies to the Administrative Order.

Step 2: Once the proposal has been approved, the association will schedule a meeting to provide public consultation to members of the community in regard to the proposed community area rate. HRM will coordinate the mail out of notice of the community meeting, voting ballots, and a copy of the proposed business plan to all impacted property owners.

Step 3: After the public meeting has concluded, HRM would coordinate receiving and counting the voting ballots on the proposed area rate. This vote requires at least 50%+1 (majority) of all petitioned properties in favour to be approved.

Step 4: The proposed community area rate would be presented to Regional Council as part of a staff report for approval.

Questions can be directed to:

arearateinfo@halifax.ca

Administrative Order:

Administrative Order 2019-005-ADM Respecting the Establishment and Use of Community Area Rates In the Halifax Regional Municipality