County Committee of the Whole opens budget discussions

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Wheatland County Committee of the Whole discussed a draft of the 2025 interim capital and operating budgets during the Nov. 26 meeting.

Members of the committee had previously received packages detailing the drafted budgets, which were also included in the Nov. 26 meeting agenda both for committee and public information.

It was noted the 2025 drafted interim budget showed a decrease in total expenses, largely in part due to the completion of the broadband project. Budgeted expenses decreased from $54.2 million to $51.9 million.

Joel Chiasson, manager of financial services for Wheatland County, explained the goal of the meeting was largely to go over capital projects and the 2025 capital plan.

Budget items presented before the committee ranged from IT hardware and software maintenance or upgrades, to office supplies across the county, to fire services. Many of these items are standard, predictable expenses. 

In the public works department, it was summarized that $250,000 be allocated as the interim amount for sidewalk and concrete repairs and replacements within the various hamlets throughout the county. Work on such projects is to be determined by an annual inspection of assorted local infrastructures. 

This includes addressing the sidewalk in front of the Cluny Community Hall and along the playground area for roughly a block. 

In Gleichen, improvements are to be made to highway crossings, wheelchair ramps, flashing light crosswalks, and other similar items of that nature which were brought up by the local community association.

Additionally, $200,000 was suggested to be budgeted for the installation of Phase 3 of community entrance signs bordering the county.

Several bridges placed throughout the county are slated for repair or replacement through 2025, 2026, and 2027 with varying degrees of severity and budget. These range from adding fencing to replacing entire bridge structures. 

Detailed in the committee’s agenda package is each anticipated expenditure for each respective project, and whether the county is able to receive financial assistance from the province.

An assortment of road projects planned for repair, replacement or construction were outlined for the committee, as well as their respective estimated budgets. 

Many of these projects which have already been identified as being necessary have been spread out over the next several years so as to not overload one given year with road project expenditures. 

The full presentation of the drafted budget has been made publicly available via the county’s YouTube channel. The document is viewable through the county’s website.

As the presentations were made to the Committee of the Whole, no decisions have ultimately been finalized regarding the proposed interim budgets.