By Josh Hall

2021 plans in place

Blackfalds budget approved

Dec 10, 2020 | 1:34 PM

Blackfalds town council has approved a municipal operating budget for 2021 worth $28.579 million.

The budget comes in about $67,000 less than last year’s, with council anticipating a 1.5 per cent property tax increase.

Last year, a 1.0 per cent increase was proposed but council agreed to a zero per cent hike in April with changes they made in response to the pandemic.

“The approval of the budget was the conclusion of a process that lasted several months, during which all councillors had the opportunity to provide input and bring forward changes that they would like to see incorporated,” says Mayor Richard Poole. “[The budget] presentation provided an accurate summary of this process and I feel council made the correct and responsible choice by passing this budget.”

A 1.5 per cent property tax increase would result in a $35 per year increase on the average Blackfalds home valued at $286,000.

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Council will, however, once again have the chance to reassess this figure and re-evaluate the budget before it gives final approval to the tax rate bylaw in the spring.

“Administration is very pleased to balance the 2021 Operating Budget with a minimal increase in property taxes,” says Justin de Bresser, corporate services director. “We will be monitoring the current economic conditions with the intent of bringing the budget back to council in the spring; this will enable the elected officials to provide further feedback ahead of the approval of the Property Tax Rate Bylaw.”

Included in the budget is about $30,000 for a 2021 municipal census, with one concern raised being the province accepting locally determined figures over federal ones.

Town administration committed to following up with both the province and federal government. It’s estimated the population could come in around 11,000. The last municipal census in 2018 found 10,125 people living in the community, a 2.1 per cent increase from 2017.

Council also expressed interest in pursuing a sponsorship program for the town’s outdoor rink, something administration has looked at in the past.

Additionally, the town is looking at an 18.8 per cent decrease in its long term debt, going from $1.79 million to $1.45 million. de Bresser says the Town made sure to pay a sizeable chunk off in anticipation of in increases the next couple years with the new arena project and a $6 million library.

On the other hand, salaries, wages and benefits are going from $8.7 million to $9.5 million year over year, an increase of more than $804,000 or 9.2 per cent.

de Bresser says three things factor into the jump, the first being the rehiring of many Town staff laid off from rec centres when the pandemic began. The Town is also paying for one new RCMP member, and there were increases already built in due to the current collective bargaining agreement negotiated three years ago.

Town council also recently approved its 2021 capital budget. An interactive map showing all approved projects can be viewed here.