By rdnewsNOW staff

Keeping Tax Increases Low

Ponoka council approves 2021 interim capital and operating budgets

Dec 5, 2020 | 10:00 AM

Interim capital and operating budgets have been approved for the Town of Ponoka next year.

The approvals came during council’s regular meeting last week following two days of budget deliberations.

The total amount of the 2021 Interim Budget is $27,045,310, which includes an Operating Budget of $19,265,910 and a Capital Budget of $7,779,400.

“This is a fiscally responsible budget that recognizes the challenges facing our economy,” said Ponoka Mayor Rick Bonnett, in a release. “It balances the need to continue carefully managing spending and to keep taxes as low as possible with the need for a very minimal tax increase to cover the cost of inflation this year while continuing to focus on growth, investing in key infrastructure, and maintaining the many day-to-day essential services our citizens rely on.”

Town officials say it’s too early to calculate an exact property tax increase for 2021 because it must factor in property assessment values which don’t become available until the spring. As well, town council will have the opportunity to review the 2021 Budget prior to adopting the final budget in the spring.

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However, based on the Interim Budget, the municipal portion of property taxes for 2021 is projected to equate to an increase of about $9.12 per $100,000 of residential property assessment, and $10.46 per $100,000 of commercial property assessment.

That is equivalent to a 1.2 per cent municipal property tax increase.

“This budget recognizes that our economy is still struggling while also positioning our community to grow and thrive and develop opportunities for the future,” added Sandra Lund, Interim Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Ponoka. “It also aligns very well with council’s strategic priorities for growth, the economic health of our community, and enhanced quality of life for our citizens.”

Town officials say the 2021 Interim Budget once again includes a solid infrastructure renewal program.

“The Town is committed to maintaining and replacing key infrastructure each year as determined by our Asset Management Plan,” said Lund, noting that the majority of capital and infrastructure projects in the budget are funded through provincial and federal grant funding.

Capital and infrastructure projects planned for 2021 include:

• Redevelopment of 51 Avenue between 50 and 51 Street
• Roadway and drainage rehabilitation and improvements on 64
• Paving and concrete replacement and repairs on numerous streets
• Trail improvements and way-finding signage
• Park design improvements at Lions Centennial Park and for an expanded skate board park and pump track.
• Completion of a comprehensive site master plan for a Community Wellness Centre
• Maintenance Improvements to the Arena and Aquaplex
• Waterworks and electrical maintenance improvements, including equipment rehabilitation at Town pump stations and reservoirs

The 2021 Interim Budget includes a 0.25 increase in the Town’s Full Time Equivalency (FTE) complement, bringing that number to 71.14 from 70.89.

The 2021 Interim Budget is said to align with the results of the Town’s annual public consultation process which once again included an annual Citizen Budget Survey.

The top priorities that the 42 individuals who completed the survey wanted town council to consider in the 2021 Budget were: new or improved recreation or sports facilities; improving and maintaining Town infrastructure; economic development and growth; and fiscal responsibility.

“Council took the survey results into consideration and addressed all of those priorities in the 2021 Budget through initiatives like the new ice plant at the Arena, park design and trail improvements, continued planning for a Community Wellness Centre, the redevelopment of 51 Avenue, and paving and concrete improvements planned for 2021,” said Mayor Bonnett.