Wheatland County approves budget

Posted on: Staff Writer

 Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter
 
Wheatland County Council approved the 2011 budget at the regular council meeting on April 5. 
“Our 2011 budget reflects an overall tax increase of 4.60 per cent,” said Jennifer Deak, Chief Administrative Officer for the County. 
The proposed budget is $29 million, and the county will be receiving approximately $26 million of that from taxes. 
Some of the larger capital projects and purchases include road grading and road paving. There is one large paving project for 2011, where the county will be paving both RR 232 and RR 233 from Hwy 564 to Hwy 9, Rockyford Road. They will be paving a total of 14 miles, for a cost ofapproximately $7.51 million. There have been applications made for MSI Capital and Basic Transportation Grant funding on this project for total grant funding of $4.18 million.
Because the Carseland wastewater treatment plant project didn’t proceed as planned in 2010, it has carried into 2011. Restoration of the Gleichen Water Tower and an addition to the park have also been carried into the 2011 budget. The total 2011 cost is $636,000. Included in the budget are $298,000 in funding from the Alberta Historical Resource Grant, $239,000 from the Municipal parks reserve and $100,000 in contributions.
Revenue changes
In order to reduce the burden on municipal taxpayers, the county has applied for grant funding under several programs. The anticipated provincial and federal grant revenue is expected to be $7.91 million, which is down $1.08 million, from the 2010 budget. 
This is due to a change in scope and the delay of the Carseland wastewater treatment plant. The plant was initally to be funded completely by grants. There are expected increases in utility fees, road data revenue and road approach fees incorporated into the budget. 
Grant funding
There have also been several applications filed for grant funding under various programs. Revenue from the grants is only recorded in the budget if the funds are to be spent. To find more in depth detail about the approved budget go to Wheatland County’s website.