Municipal Bylaw Review – Public Feedback Invited

May 23, 2025

The Council of the Municipality of the County of Inverness Seeks Public Feedback Regarding Municipal Bylaw Review

The Council of the Municipality of the County of Inverness is considering the repeal of three municipal bylaws as part of an ongoing bylaw modernization process. If approved, the following bylaws will be officially repealed:

I. Bylaw Respecting the Repeal of Bylaw 14 – Tax on Commencing Business

Current: New businesses are required to pay a $50 administration fee when opening within the municipality.

Proposed Change: This fee will no longer be required. The municipality no longer charges to open a business in the County. Business registration is done by the Province via Registry of Joint Stocks.

II. Bylaw Respecting the Repeal of Bylaw 22 – Improvement Changes

Current: Property owners are responsible for 50% of the costs related to the installation of permanent curbs, gutters, sidewalks, or pavement, with the municipality covering the other 50%, based on property frontage.

Proposed Change: This bylaw is outdated and no longer relevant to the municipality. In addition, some provisions overlap and are now covered under the Capital Cost of Sidewalk Construction Policy.

III. Bylaw Respecting the Repeal of Bylaw 46 – Amendment to the Service Fees for Payment Cards

Current: Service fees are charged when municipal payments (e.g., property taxes, water bills) are made by credit card.

Proposed Change: These service fees are not required as credit cards are processed by a third-party vendor. Therefore, the bylaw is no longer required as any service fee is charged direct to the payee.

Public Input Welcome

Council invites public input on these proposed changes. Residents may provide written or oral submissions—either in support or opposition—at the next Regular Meeting of Council:

Thursday, June 5 at 9:30 a.m.

Council Chambers, Municipality of Inverness County Administration Building
375 Main Street, Port Hood.

Written submissions must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4 to:

Debbie Nicholson

PO Box 179

Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0

Email: Debbie.Nicholson@invernesscounty.ca

Copies of the bylaws are available online at invernesscounty.ca/government/bylaws/ and in print at the Municipal Administration Building during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday).

This notice is published in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, Section 168.