The Town of Innisfail is in a stronger economic situation than many of its peers when compared by the province across a number of fiscal areas.
The data produced by Alberta Municipal Affairs shows Innisfail has less debt and a lower tax rate than many similar-sized municipalities, and has been snagging more grants in the process.
“The financial indicator graphs for Innisfail are very positive,” said CAO Helen Dietz. “They show a very good financial position for the town.”
In the charts Innisfail is compared to peers of a similar size, from Lacombe at the high end with 11,733 residents and Peace River on the low end with 6,315 residents. The information will help council and administration make important decisions throughout the course of the year.
“They use this data throughout the year when they're comparing a number of things,” Dietz said.
The graphs show Innisfail's numbers in relation to the group median, and show the entire spread in the background.
“We have to submit our financial statements to Municipal Affairs by a certain time each year,” she said. “Then they compile all of the information and send it back to us.”
Though the net municipal tax rate rose for the past four years it was still only at 6.5 per cent compared to 7.1 per cent median rate in 2011.
At 11.9 per cent non-residential tax rates were in line with the median rate. The town was also in line with the median per capita spending on material, goods, supplies and utilities.
For a number of years Innisfail paid some of the lowest salaries, wages and benefits per capita, and although the town is rising among its peers when it comes to this sort of expenditure, it is still far below the median rate.
Innisfail used just 4.6 per cent of its dept limit, compared with the median rate of 33.1 per cent, and is also at the bottom of long-term municipal debt per capita.
In 2011 Innisfail got more grants per capita than the median amount. The town also spent more than the median per capita amount on contracted services, for the first time in several years.
