RED DEER COUNTY – The rural municipality has tabled its budget for 2017, a plan that calls for no tax increases and a “significant” drop in capital spending.
The budget, which included the 2017-19 Operating Expenditures and 2017-2021 Capital Projects, was tabled at the regular council meeting on Nov. 22. Since last year the county's budget has been tabled and passed for three-year cycles, a forecast process that allows the county “to prepare and be proactive rather than reactive,” noted Christine Moore, the county's current deputy mayor.
Following two weeks for public input, council members will be asked to approve the budget on Dec. 6.
Moore, who is also councillor for Division 6, said the tabled budget on Nov. 22 is reflective of today's economic reality, while staying on course with the rural municipality's strategic objectives.
“This budget is both realistic and achievable. It reflects our economic reality, and shows accountability on the part of staff and council,” said Moore in a news release. “We are going to keep current services maintained with no increases to taxes.”
“I think we got a great corporate services director who plans well. It didn't seem a challenge,” added Moore of the effort of staff in preparing the budget. “A lot of work goes into this budget in the background. I commend the staff. They definitely reflected the strategic plan of Red Deer County and council in their deliberations. We are looking forward to hearing from our public.”
The county's operating budget will see only an overall decrease of about $1 million over the next three years, with no changes to municipal levies in 2017.
“Administration has worked hard to ensure the budget is fair to ratepayers, while still making meaningful progress on our strategic objectives. We have acted on council's direction and ensured there is no undue hardship on county ratepayers,” said Heather Gray Surkan, director of corporate services, in a news release.
Meanwhile, capital spending in 2017 will see a much larger decrease, from just over $30 million to about $26.4 million. County officials say this is primarily due to fewer large-scale bridge repairs and reconstruction, which will average $4 million per year over the next five years.
The key capital initiatives identified for 2017 include $3.3 million for bridge repairs, $7 million for road upgrades and roundabouts at Gasoline Alley, a $709,012 contribution to the Sylvan Lake Multiplex and a $250,000 contribution to the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer.
The public is invited to look at the draft Red Deer County budget report online at www.rdcounty.ca
Christine Moore, Red Deer County deputy mayor
"This budget is both realistic and achievable. It reflects our economic reality. We are going to keep current services maintained with no increases to taxes."
