|
Town council approves 2009 budget
Mac Olsen
South Peace News
High Prairie town council has approved a balanced budget with no increase in the mill rate for 2009 and Mayor Rick Dumont is pleased.
“For us to be able to do that in this day and age, with a zero mill rate increase, (speaks well) of our council,” says Dumont.
“They’ve made some cuts and we’ve reviewed all our departments and put together an extremely tight budget. There are minimal increases across the board in utilities and a zero mill rate increase.”
However, he is concerned about federal funding, with its one-third split between the federal, provincial and municipal governments for most of the Town’s projects.
“The uncertainty of a federal government in a minority … situation does scare us a little bit.”
For instance, if federal funding for the fire hall expansion were to fall through, the Town would have to borrow more money to do the work.
“If the projects are really necessary, i.e. the fire hall expansion, you plan for more borrowing and you do the project anyway.”
It will probably be necessary for some projects, he adds.
Council approved a $10.8 million operating budget, with a 3.4 per cent increase in overall spending for 2009, says Town treasurer Hermann Minderlein. The Town’s revenues include $3.6 million from taxes, $1.6 million for environmental treatment services and $3.56 million for gas distribution services.
The Town is providing $200,000 for construction of the Seal Lake Connector Road. Moreover, local organizations do not have to worry about the Town reducing or eliminating funding for them.
“The funding support for local organizations continues this year,” says CAO Larry Baran, citing the funding of the seniors’ bus for the Golden Age Club as an example.
Council also approved a $9.4 million capital budget, including funding for continued infrastructure projects. For example, $459,000 is being provided for street improvements started in 2008, such as the water main looping for 44 Street and 49 Street.
Another $2.5 million will be used for 55 Avenue to replace water and sewer lines, curb gutter and pavement. However, this will be subject to funding approval, as the Town has sent applications to the federal Building Canada Fund and provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative for a three-way split. Baran says the Town would use the MSI funding as part of its one-third share in the project and draw from its own financial reserves to cover the balance.
The $2.7 million for the fire hall expansion is also subject to funding approval, with an equal three-way split between all levels of government.
The Town has set aside $1.2 million for land improvements for the annexed land on the west side of High Prairie, the former Kryzalka property. The Town borrowed the money from the Alberta Capital Finance Authority and will recoup the debt through land sales.
The Town also borrowed $520,000 from the ACFA for the Cornerstone Residential Development north of E.W. Pratt. The debt will be recouped in the form of a local improvement charge against each property.
The Town has set aside $1 million to negotiate with Peavine Métis Council for the sale of six lots in Peavine Estates, which are next to Highway 2. The Town is trying to attract several retailers to High Prairie with these lots, but Baran could not provide any other details.
Another capital project being funded is the O’Brien lift station upgrade near the new water treatment plant, for $150,000. The Town is also providing $160,000 for a new gas regulating station and exchange across the road from the High Prairie Pro Rodeo grounds, with Prairie River Gas providing 25 per cent towards the project.
The Town also wants to buy a new street sweeper for $150,000 and has approved $44,250 for a new air compressor for the fire hall.
Copyright © 1999-2009 South Peace News. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.
View our Privacy Statement.
Send website suggestions to the Webmaster
|
