(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

$38M TOTAL

Ponoka town council approves 2025 Interim Budget

Nov 21, 2024 | 6:14 AM

Following two days of budget deliberations in October, Ponoka town council approved its 2025 Interim Town Budget on Nov. 12.

The total amount of the Interim Budget is $38,026,553, which consists of an Operating Budget of $23,707,410, a Capital Budget of $14,319,143, and an estimated tax increase of 3.25 per cent.

According to town officials, the Interim Budget does not yet factor in property assessment values, which only become available in the spring. At that time, council will have an opportunity to review the budget and make final adjustments prior to adopting the final document in 2025.

Until those values are received, officials say it’s difficult to accurately calculate the municipal property tax increase for 2025, but that based on the 2025 Interim Budget, it’s projected to be about 3.25 per cent.

“Council and administration worked together to find efficiencies and arrive at a lean, fiscally responsible budget,” said Town of Ponoka Chief Administrative Officer Sandra Lund. “The 2025 Interim Budget balances and delivers on key priorities in the Town’s Strategic Plan by carefully managing spending while continuing to fund essential services that our citizens rely on.”

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Ponoka Mayor Kevin Ferguson said the budget focuses investments on maintaining and upgrading key infrastructure on the community to put the town in a growth position, and that they worked to keep the tax increase low while continuing to provide essential services.

Some of the operating, capital and infrastructure projects planned for 2025 include:

• Ponoka’s Annual Pavement and Concrete Improvement Program – This includes extensive annual maintenance and improvement of town roadways and sidewalks throughout the community.
• Community Safety Initiatives – Council is developing a plan designed to help address community safety concerns expressed by residents. More details are expected once the planning process is completed.
• Highway 53 Improvements – The town is continuing its discussion with Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors to plan future improvements to Highway 53 in Ponoka. The town is allocating future funding for its share of the highway improvements.
• Waterworks System Improvements – The town’s asset management program is expanding to include a full inspection of the storm sewer system and maintenance where needed. The ongoing asset management program also includes sanitary sewer system inspection and maintenance; ongoing equipment rehabilitation and replacement at town pump stations and reservoirs to ensure operational efficiency and reliability of the system; and extensive planning and analysis for future improvements to the town’s wastewater treatment system, including a future sanitary trunk main replacement.
• Ponoka Aquaplex Upgrades – Includes replacement of the pool filters to ensure ongoing optimal water filtration and operational efficiency at the facility.
• Skate Park Expansion – Finishing touches on construction of the Skate Park Expansion are expected to be completed in the spring with a grand opening event to be held soon after.
• New Cemetery Software – Includes user-friendly maps that should make it easier for citizens to find loved ones at the local cemetery, and to share photos and stories on the software to celebrate memories of their loved ones.

Town officials say the 2025 Interim Budget aligns with the results of its annual public consultation process, which included Coffee with Council events, an online Budget Open House and a Citizen Input Survey.

The top three priorities identified by citizens in these engagements included:

• Community Safety
• Parks and Recreation
• Infrastructure

“Citizen input is a critical part of the budget planning process,” said Mayor Ferguson.

He added that public input and priorities identified in the budget survey results this year were carefully considered and addressed in the 2025 Interim Budget through ongoing upgrades and improvements to town infrastructure, including roads and sidewalks throughout Ponoka; planned improvements to parks and recreation facilities; and continued funding of the town’s new Protective Services Manager and full-time Community Peace Officer who continue to support public safety in partnership with the Ponoka RCMP.

“Council will have additional announcements to make about how it plans to address community safety in the months ahead,” said Mayor Ferguson. “I think this Interim Budget does a very good job of balancing the needs of our community while positioning Ponoka for continued growth and success,” he added.