DIDSBURY - Residents are being encouraged to provide comments on the municipality’s proposed $2,378,202 capital budget for 2021.
The draft budget was accepted as information by council at its Jan. 12 meeting.
The budget includes proposed spending on infrastructure, land improvements, buildings and equipment.
The proposed items under infrastructure are $626,202 on 20th Street stormwater drainage and surface improvements, $30,000 on 21st Street stormwater and surface improvements, $40,000 on east reservoir design and tender, and $140,000 on street lighting continuity annual program.
The proposed items under land improvements are $350,000 for Didsbury Memorial Complex outlying plan (skatepark), $80,000 for Didsbury Memorial Complex outlying plan (jets playground), and $70,000 community information signage.
The proposed buildings items include $700,000 for library expansion and renovation.
The proposed equipment items are $28,000 for emergency backup generator, $54,000 for skid steer annual program, and $100,000 for asphalt repair equipment and packer.
Anyone wishing to provide comments can do so on the town’s website.
“We are making (the proposed draft capital budget) available on the website so the public can review it and provide any feedback they would like to council,” said Ethan Gorner, the town's chief administrative officer.
A proposed multi-year capital plan will be brought before council at an upcoming council meeting, he said.
“That is overdue to be updated,” he said.
Meanwhile, a total of 31 residential development permits for projects with a value totalling $2.97 million were issued in 2020, councillors heard.
Total construction values were $957,000 in the first quarter, $466,000 in the second quarter, $1.1 million in the third quarter, and $445,550 in the last quarter.
On the commercial side, 33 permits were issued in 2021 for projects totalling $3.2 million.
Total construction values were $159,000 in the first quarter, $22,810 in the second quarter, $2.2 million in the third quarter, and $848,750 in the last quarter.
A total of 44 certificates of compliance were issued in 2020.
