Blackfalds residents get look at operating and capital budgets

“As far as the efforts to keep our tax increases minimal in the last couple years, even as low as zero per cent, the ability to do that required a significant draw down of our reserves, and the deferral of some new staffing positions that are impacting the Town’s ability to service its needs as we grow,” explains Hoover.

“I guess you can say that trying to keep tax increases as low as we have, is really only sustainable for a short time, and we are at that point where a moderate increase is needed. A big factor for Blackfalds this coming year is policing costs, and I think many municipalities are in the same situation. Almost two-thirds of the increase in 2023 is related to the retroactive pay increase for the RCMP, and the remaining third is because of inflation impacting the Town’s bottom line.”

The largest item included in operating budget, as Hoover alludes to, is increased policing costs at a few hundred thousand dollars. Funding for one additional officer was deferred.

According to admin, the only increase to municipal utility rates for 2023 will be to the variable water rate which will go from $2.77cm to $2.80cm or a one per cent increase. All other rates and fees are to remain at 2022 levels.

Blackfalds’ capital budget, meantime, is worth $9.295 million.

Items include:

• Vehicle Hoist and Associated Equipment $20K

• Pedestrian Light Upgrades $14K

• Fire Department Sign $15K

• Fire Hall Washing Machine $12.5K

• Jaws of Life $55K

• Abbey Centre General Capital Projects $42.5K

• Pool Deck Lifting $100K

• Shingle Replacement (FCSS Building) $20K

• Water/Wastewater Asset Management Plan $100K

• EV Charging Stations $104K (*this item was taken out of the budget and will come back to council fro discussion at a later date)

Hoover says the capital budget runs fairly lean, as usual, compared to bigger municipalities.

“We conduct a lot of citizen engagement, and for the most part our residents want to keep services at similar levels, or slight decreases. We think we managed to do that,” he says.

“Town council began its budget planning with the vision to focus first on cost effectiveness, and then only increasing where we could without absolutely impacting the services that our residents told us we needed to maintain. Kudos to our administration who were able to find an additional 0.25 per cent through this process.”

Speaking of what’s to come, the 10-year capital plan — worth $75.8 million — contains some major changes.

• Moved South Street Improvements to 2026 (From 2023 – 2025)

• Moved East Railway Improvements to 2025 (From 2023 – 2025)

• Moved East Area Storm from 2025 to 2026

• Moved Aurora Heights Lift Station to 2027 and increased cost to $5M (From $2.8M)

• Moved High school Football Field back to 2025

• Moved High school Running Track back to 2026 and increased price to $2M

• Increased annual Pavement replacement to $300K yearly (From $150K)

• Added Cotton Wood Drive Improvements to (2026,2028)

• Added QEII Alberta Transportation Study in 2030 @ $150K

• Added Pedestrian Bridge to 2026 $3M (100% Provincial Funded)

• Added New Water Reservoir in 2031 @ $7.6M

• Added Downtown Revitalization Phase 2 in 2031 and 2032 for $2M

“I think I will be relieved that we can address the policing costs, and move forward. This issue has been looming over every community in Alberta that is served by the RCMP, and despite planning ahead, and setting significant reserves aside, this is a big cost for Blackfalds,” the mayor adds.

“Our focus in the coming year or two is mainly advocating for the addition of more health services in our community, and just like we have been doing for a decade, we are always trying to ensure we can provide adequate schools for our growing young population.”

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Blackfalds residents get look at operating and capital budgets

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