By Laine Mitchell (Twitter: @Laine_Mitchell)

Town council approves 2018 budget

May 10, 2018 | 6:37 AM

Drayton Valley Town Council has approved its 2018 budget, setting up no tax increases for the average homeowner. 

Improvement to economic activity in Drayton Valley was a big driver in the budget, with focuses being put on diversify the local economy and increasing economic resilience.

Those economic opportunities include the hemp, bio-fuel and solar energy industries. 

The town managed to cut costs in house, wrangling down its expenditures by just under 6 per cent.

Revenues are budgeted to be up by 2.7 per cent, with sales and user charges making up most of that increase.  

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“The 2018 budget demonstrates fiscal discipline while addressing our immediate priorities and investment in key services and infrastructure that will see the continued growth of our Town,” said Mayor Michael Doerksen.

In Budget 2018 funds have been allocated to new projects and also upgrades to current areas in Drayton Valley, which includes Coulee Road erosion rehabilitation, Meier Avenue rehabilitation and rehabilitation of existing sidewalks and trails.

The budget also eyes up possible projects to tend to in 2019, including the Ring Road connection to 50th Street and work on 43rd street. 

Two recent events in the past couple of months made big impacts on the budget, with town council voting last month to put $5 million towards a new aquatic facility. The other was the Early Childhood Development Centre becoming part of the provincial Early Learning and Child Care pilot program, which provides flexible child care for parent for $550 per month for full time, and $25 per day for drop-in. The program is committed to run through April 2019.