Saint John city council has approved its 2022 budget, including a recommendation to reduce property tax rates by 7.5 cents. According to council reports, this is a 4.7 per cent increase from last year's budget. Councillors approved a tax rate decrease from $1.785 to $1.71 per $100 of assessed value. The $164 million operating budget will be funded by a provincial grant, reserves, Saint John Energy revenue and COVID-19 relief funding. The biggest line in the city's spending budget is public safety, with $56 million for police, fire, bylaw officers and other services.

Source: CBC News December 14, 2021 21:11 UTC