Sylvan Lake passes capital budget; public can give feedback on operating budget

“We’re chasing inflation unfortunately and that’s still a higher dollar amount than what the proposed increase is. We’ve done the last two years at zero per cent, so now just to maintain our standard operating, we unfortunately do need to see this increase.”

Service levels will be maintained, she says, with, “nothing exceptionally new or big,” going on.

“We now pay 90 per cent of our policing costs too because we surpassed that 15,000 population mark,” she notes. “It’s a big cost to our residents without a change in service.”

The Town notes that since 2013, Sylvan’s property tax increase has been below that of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The most recent CPI data out is for October 2022, sitting at 6.9 per cent nationally. Utility rates are also set to increase marginally.

All of this will be up for discussion at a public open house to be held Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 4-6 at the NexSource Centre.

Online budget feedback closes February 26, 2023, with final approval happening after that.

On the capital budget side, the biggest expenditure is $6.7 million for ongoing infrastructure upgrades at Pogadl Park.

The capital budget, which can be viewed in the Dec. 12 council agenda, was recently approved by town council.

Other capital highlights

50 Avenue – 50 Street to Westview Dr. – $2.5 million

Fire engine replacement – $1.3 million

North trunk – 46 Street to 50 Street – phase 1 utility services improvements – $1.4 million

Total: $17.958 million

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Sylvan Lake passes capital budget; public can give feedback on operating budget

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