Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

PERCÉ – Two months after submitting its 2024 financial statements to the municipal council, Percé presented its results to the public on September 2, showing a surplus of $977,000 on a budget of $8.5 million.

Among the highlights, tax revenues were $500,000 higher than projected, due to a $4 million increase in taxable value over the past year. Meanwhile, expenses remained relatively stable, with the exception of legal fees which totalled $170,000. Mayor Daniel Leboeuf notes that a large part of the legal bill was related to the administrative inquiry by the Quebec Municipal Commission and the legal proceedings surrounding the tourist tax.

Long-term debt fell from $16.4 million to $14.8 million.The town has a financial cushion of $1.7 million. “Our liabilities are reasonable. We have a good unallocated fund. We are in a good position to move toward 2026,” says the mayor.

When asked about the council’s intentions, given that $155,000 from the single year of tourist tax collection in 2022 generated revenue for the town, the mayor indicated that legal advice had been sought to determine how the money should be used, while merchants want the amount to be returned to them.

In addition, the town council supports the idea of consolidating low-income housing in the Rocher-Percé MRC. The mayor noted that this would simplify management, facilitate hiring and, above all, provide the organizations with a renewed board of directors, as candidates for this volunteer position are becoming increasingly scarce. The town of Chandler gave its agreement in principle to such a consolidation.