Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue passes controversial budget amid criticism

SAINTE-ANNE-DE-BELLEVUE – The town of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue narrowly passed a controversial budget Monday night, averting massive financial difficulties.

The budget jumps from $17.7 million to $18.1 million over last year.

It includes a tax hike and an administrative position slotted in for the mayor, raising the ire of some vocal residents.

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“This little town is small and we need to live within our means,” Michele Cossais said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "This little town is small and we need to live within our means," Michele Cossais said.

Mayor Paola Hawa said the increases were due largely to incremental rises in collective agreements with workers.

Residents concentrated their comments on an administrative position slated to aid the director general.

“I challenge anybody to find another city on this island who doesn’t have an assistant for the director general,” Hawa said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I challenge anybody to find another city on this island who doesn't have an assistant for the director general," Hawa said.

Adding to the controversy, Ste. Anne’s was stuck in a stalemate because of the November death of Councillor Andrée Deschamps, meaning it had difficulty passing anything with a six-person council.