Chris Clegg
South Peace News
High Prairie town councillors were smiling Nov. 14 after hearing that the High Prairie and District Museum, High Prairie Municipal Library Board, and the High Prairie and District Regional Recreation Board all presented budgets with no increases in 2017.

That is, except for increased town user fees such as recycling, water and sewer, and the coming provincial carbon tax.

“It’s great that you kept the budget the same which is great for us,” said Councillor Brian Panasiuk after hearing the museum’s budget.

Similar sentiments were echoed after the library and recreation board budgets were presented.

Town council had written all three boards months ago asking that they present budgets with no increases.

The museum presented its $132,200 budget first. Council heard that the museum will do its own bookkeeping this year which saves about $7,000.
Not as much was set aside for exhibits and events, museum curator Darlene Adams told council.

The library presented two budgets: one with and the other without the carbon tax, the latter being $458,000. The library estimates the yet-to-be announced carbon tax at seven per cent.

“We tried our best to keep the budget the same,” said library board member Simone Blacha. “We worked hard to keep it in line.”

Council heard that library staff turned down their cost of living increase in 2017 and some positions were shuffled to save more money. Some adult programming was cut, but no children’s programming faces the axe.

“Our staff took some hits and we thank them for that,” said Blacha.

Interim recreation board director Lori Matthews presented their board’s $1,753.978 budget. Included in their budget was an 18 per cent carbon tax estimate, which drew concern from council.

“What happens if it comes in less than 18 per cent?” asked Councillor Brian Gilroy. “What happens to the extra money?”

Matthews replied excess money is placed into capital reserve as directed in the Inter-Municipal Agreement between the town and Big Lakes County councils.

“It’s [carbon tax] still an uncertainty,” said Councillor Arlen Quartly, who chairs the board. “It’s a shot in the dark. We’re just trying to protect ourselves.”

At the suggestion of town treasurer Terri Wiebe, it was agreed that the rec board will receive no carbon tax increase. However, once the tax is announced, it will be added to the requisition.

To add to the uncertainty of the carbon tax, town council is budgeting only two per cent. The museum is impacted very little and budged zero.

All three boards were asked to provide information on their 2016 budgets so council can do a comparison when making a decision at their final budget meeting.