2015 budget approved

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

After numerous hours of crunching numbers, cutting costs and figuring out how to deal with increases, the Town of Strathmore has completed the 2015 budget. The town will see a tax increase of 3.5 per cent in 2015.
“It is a tight budget, we’re happy we’re able to keep it down to 3.5 per cent, never like to see taxes go up but there are just increased charges and amounts to deal with,” said Councillor Bob Sobol, who thanked staff and corporate services for all the work they have done.
The operating budget for 2015 is for a total of $28,354,000, and Mel Tiede, director of corporate services for the town.
In 2014 the overall property tax increase was less than one half of a per cent, meaning there were many people who saw an increase of their tax bill.
Some highlights from the operating budget are: the Aquatic Centre, Family Centre, Civic Centre and Curling rink operations are supported by taxes to the amount of $2,200,000; spending in protective forces, the RCMP, Fire and Municipal Enforcement, is $3,418,000; park and seasonal spending is $773,000; road services, cleaning, snow removal and maintenance is $1,799,000. The Strathmore Municipal Library received good news with the 2015 budget; they will see a much needed increase of $2 per capita, approximately $206,000. Marigold Library Systems also receiving $70,500.
“On the capital side, we have 29 projects totaling $10,853,000. The largest dollar amount will be spent on roads for $7,576,000,” said Tiede.
The largest project is Lakeside Blvd and 2nd Street, which was deferred from this year’s budget with the hope of getting a better rate by tendering it out in January or February.
Other highlights from the capital budget for 2015 are nine water and sewer projects for $2,376,00, the largest of those being the structural repairs for the Brentwood reservoir for $1,172,000 and the Orchard Park trunk upgrade at $600,000; the total spending on equipment is $711,000 which will see the town purchase a full-size grader $333,000, and an ice cleaning machine for the Family Centre for $158,000.
The budget also included funding by borrowing $3 million from the Alberta Capital Finance Authority over 15 years at three per cent interest. The reserves funding equals $2,053,000.