Lacombe council approves 2024 budget and long-term capital plan

Key projects are:

New Fire Hall 2024 contribution – $2.25 million ($5 million total cost)
Fire Engine Replacement 2024 contribution – $450,000 ($1 million Total Cost)
Fire Ladder Truck Replacement 2024 contribution – $500,000 ($2 million Total Cost)
2024 Capital Works Program – $1.87 million
Elizabeth Lake Stabilization – $335,000
Highway 12/2A Intersection Upgrade – $200,000
Kinsmen Aquatic Centre Facility Upgrades – $86,000
Lacombe Memorial Centre Facility Replacements/Upgrades 2024 – $165,000
Kinsmen Aquatic Centre Chlorination Upgrades- $250,000 • Playground replacements at Westview Park and Popow’s Kinsmen Park – $300,000
49C Avenue Redevelopment (Downtown Area Redevelopment & Urban Design Plan Infrastructure Implementation) – $850,000

Council opted to not fund renovations to City Hall, as well as a new waterslide at the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre, and paving improvements at Lacombe Regional Airport.

Meantime, the 2024 operating budget will cause a property tax increase of 3.75 per cent. That include 1.0 per cent for sustainable road maintenance, 0.74 per cent for new debt servicing related to the new public works facility, 0.81 per cent for service level enhancements, and 1.2 per cent for all other net expenditure changes.

“We are pleased to present the 2024 operating budget, which reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility and service delivery,” Mayor Creasey added. “This budget balances the needs and expectations of our residents and businesses, while addressing the challenges of inflation, growth, and infrastructure renewal. The budget represents council’s ongoing commitment to keeping tax increases at or below inflation. We appreciate the input we received from the public throughout the budget process, and we look forward to implementing these initiatives in the coming year.”

Total service level enhancements for 2023 amount to $140,216 and include:

Snow Removal Service Level Increase – $62,000
Community Agencies Incremental Funding Approvals – $38,516
Additional Weekend Outdoor Ice Surface Clearing – $16,000
Capital Project Public Engagement – $10,000
New Trail Benches – $5,000
Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan (DARP) Operating Costs – $5,000
Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Membership – $3,700

Lastly, the 10-year capital plan is worth $80.1 million. It is comprised of:

Debentures – $8.6 million
Grants – $22.2 million
Outside Sources – $4.1 million
Reserve Withdrawals – $45 million

And includes:

Fire Station Building – (2023 – $0.5 million, 2024 – $2.25 million, 2025 – $2.25 million) – Total Cost $5 million5432 56th Avenue Lacombe, AB T4L 1E9 (403) 782-6666
Fire Ladder Truck Replacement – (2023 – $0.2 million, 2024 – $0.5 million, 2025 – $1.3 million) – Total Cost $2 million
Roads Renewal Program – Capital Works – (2025 – 2033) – Total Cost $16.2 million
New Water Pumphouse – (2025 – $0.1 million, 2026 – $1.0 million, 2028 $5.0 million, 2029 $5.6 million) – Total Cost $11.7 million

More on the budget is at lacombe.ca.

by rdnewsNOW staff

Lacombe council approves 2024 budget and long-term capital plan

What's Trending