The 2011 Innisfail tax bills will reflect a three per cent municipal tax increase but taxpayers may not notice it on the bottom line.
There will be almost no increase to the average dollar amount that citizens are paying as compared to their taxes in 2010, said Innisfail CAO Helen Dietz.
"Because of about a three per cent decrease in the average residential market value assessments we had to raise the tax rate by the same amount so residents shouldn't see much of a difference in their taxes from previous years," said Dietz.
The tax increase will bring in about $180,000 for the town, money that will ensure revenues stay almost the same as they were in 2010.
Innisfail town council outlined its direction for the next year with the approval and release of the 2011 operating and capital budgets during the February 14 council meeting.
The 2011 operating budget is $15,783,800 while the capital budget has been set at $6,509,500
Facility and infrastructure improvements, commitments to regional partnerships, the continuation of building the trail systems, and new parks and improvements have been identified as some of the priorities of this year's budget.
Final budget considerations have been made regarding the construction and the operation of the new library, which is expected to be finished sometime this spring. The town is increasing it's contribution to the Library Board to allow the facility to expand its hours and is increasing funding contributions to anticipate janitorial, utilities, and maintenance expenses.
Funding for the construction of a crosswalk at the new library site has also been included in the budget. The library construction project will cost close to $7 million, much of which is covered by grants but was one of the main capital projects in 2010. The project was a big part of the total 2010 capital budget, which was close to $12 million. This year's capital budget spending has been approved for approximately $6.5 million.
Although the 2011 capital budget is almost half of what was budgeted in 2010, town council has announced a number of new environmental and infrastructure projects budgeted from both the operating and capital budget plans.
A curbside recycling program will be provided for residents to help reduce the need for recycling at the transfer station, said Innisfail mayor Jim Romane.
Garbage rates will increase by $2 per month to help cover the cost of the service and there will be a three bag limit imposed for curbside garbage pick-up to encourage the use of the recycling program. In turn, the hours of operation at the transfer station will be reduced to Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The town will continue to provide residents with rain barrels and they are planning to review the implementation of a toilet rebate program.
Town council will be starting discussions this year about the possible relocation of the fire hall to the current library building, expected to be vacated this summer. Council has allotted $1.6 million for phase one of the proposed project. Just over $1.2 million of that cost would be coming from the Municipal Sustainability Grant.
Council will be moving forward with the planning and design of the main street revitalization that is scheduled to start in 2012.
Now that council gave approval during its last meeting to the construction of a three station gym, $180,000 is being budgeted through the 2011 budget to be placed into the reserves as the first of a four year payment to the reserves to help cover the cost of the new gym.
Over the next year town council will be negotiating a shared use agreement with Chinook's Edge School Division for use of the facility.
After a number of public meetings and open houses last year, the town will be moving forward with the development of an off leash dog park. Council will be reviewing the placement and construction of the project in which they have budgeted $30,000 for this year.
A new park will be developed in the Hazelwood subdivision and $50,000 is being put towards trail upgrades throughout the town.
Plans for the regional water and sewer projects will start to be put into place this year with the water and sewer utility rates for residents increasing by 20 cents from $1.42 to $1.62 per cubic metre.
The cost increase will cover Innisfail's portion of the South Red Deer Regional Wastewater line.
The capital budget also outlines plans for the continued replacement of water and sewer infrastructure and for the street improvement program budgeting up to $1.5 million for the updates.
About $100,000 has been budgeted for the continued water meter replacement program.
The 2011 budget also includes the purchase of equipment to investigate the water infiltration into the sanitary sewer system.
The town will also be completing the sanitary sewer servicing to the Woodlands area to allow for development, which will cost approximately $900,000. The Woodlands area is located on the south west side of town, and includes the land west of 52 Ave.
Plans are being started for the construction of a new Public Works Shop and $1 million has been set aside for the project. A new equipment lease agreement is also included in the budget for the Public Works department to lease a loader.
There are $200,000 in renovations planned for the town office and a 1.5 per cent cost of living increase for town employees. The town is also planning to increase their contribution to the monthly Blue Cross premiums for employees.
