Town passes 2024 budgets
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Town of Strathmore council voted during the Dec. 6 regular meeting of council to approve the recommended operating and capital budgets for 2024.
The town’s operating budget has been approved at $37,704,700, and the capital budget has been set at $7,014,000, for a total combined $44,718,700 for the 2024 budget.
Adopting the budget officially concluded the annual budget process, which began in May 2023. It is detailed under Section 242 of the Municipal Government Act that a municipality must adopt an operating budget for each calendar year, or may adopt an interim operating budget for part of a calendar year.
A draft of the town’s recommended operating budget was released to council and the public as of Nov. 1, and a community engagement session regarding the budget was hosted in council chambers on Nov. 7.
“We had an increase in members of the public (who) came and actually asked questions and … I felt that they were very satisfied in the responses that they received,” said Leana Ashbacher, senior manager of financial services for the Town of Strathmore.
The town released a statement that the 2024 budget ensures it can continue to deliver the many services that Strathmore’s residents and businesses rely on, as well as to be able to invest in new capital projects.
“Administration prepared the 2024 operating and capital budgets in alignment with council’s 2022-25 Strategic Plan,” said Kara Rusk, director of strategic, administrative, and financial services. “This year, the town followed an extensive process that included holding a Citizen Budget Café, a review of budget information requests, and deliberation of the proposed budget in November.”
The total $44,718,700 budget for 2024 equates to a 5.2 per cent levy increase over 2023. In relation to what the town has described as a “typical” home in Strathmore, assessed at $391,000, this would equate to a property tax increase of roughly $175 per year.
With the approval of the Rate Bylaw, both variable and fixed utility rates in Strathmore were increased by approximately four per cent, averaging between the increases for residential and commercial uses. Residential saw an increase of 5.4 per cent, and commercial, 3.5 per cent, leading to that average.
The total utility infrastructure reserve fund rates were increased by one dollar from $7.95 to $8.95, equating to a 13 per cent increase.
“This process presented council with many challenges, as our residents and municipality have been dealing with the impacts of inflation for over a year,” said mayor Pat Fule. “I am proud that we were able to pass a budget that is fiscally responsible and supports our residents by investing in essential programs, services, and infrastructure.”
The overall tax increase is projected by town administration to be 5.2 per cent overall. In prior regular meetings of council, the town had expressed interest in keeping tax increases lower overall in comparison to surrounding municipalities within the province.
Full budget information for the town has been made public and is available through the town’s website.