Mayor Spiller mulls economy over cup of coffee

Mayor Brian Spiller hosted his first public Coffee with the Mayor session last week and the upcoming provincial budget and the town's recently announced surplus were front and centre topics of discussion.

Earlier this month, Spiller was in Edmonton attending a two-day Mayors' Caucus meeting, which immediately followed the provincial government's throne speech, and he came home discouraged.

Spiller, along with other mayors in the region, left the meetings “nervous” and “frustrated” because they were shut out in getting any answers on what municipalities can expect, particularly funding, from the upcoming April 14 provincial budget.

However, Spiller did say at the March 16 Coffee with the Mayor session that he was told by senior government officials not to expect a grant in lieu of taxes to help with the $30,000 tax cost for social housing in town, which is earmarked for the tax cost of Autumn Glen Lodge and assisted living homes.

“This level of government has told us don't expect it to be reinstated, either in the tax or grant form,” said Spiller. “The minister for seniors and affordable housing (Lori Sigurdson) told us that. She said don't anticipate it.”

In 2015, the NDP government announced it would no longer pay for the taxes through a grant in lieu on municipal social housing, a $20-million budget item that had about $12 million going to Calgary and Edmonton, about $500,000 to Red Deer, and smaller amounts to other municipalities.

“It is not insignificant to come up with that ($30,000),” said Helen Dietz, the town's chief administrative officer.

In the meantime, Spiller was happy to launch his own public initiative last week to meet citizens at the Coffee Cottage in a less formal manner over coffee. He said the sessions will become once-a-month sit-downs with citizens and moved around to different local restaurants in the mornings, afternoons and evenings.

“It is to allow citizens to come out and engage with myself. Some people might feel a little intimidated by coming to council chambers to express a complaint or concern,” said Spiller. “This way will be a lot easier for them.”

The mayor, whose council received good news last week that the town had a $406,453 surplus for 2015, said he was open to the idea of using surplus monies for town projects, notably for facility improvement for local sports organizations. Last week, it was reported in the Province that a planned $375,150 upgrade and renovations project for the Arena had to be put on the back burner due to the rejection of a federal grant. It was a decision that was especially disappointing for the Innisfail Eagles hockey team that was looking forward to getting a modern dressing room.

However, Spiller said he was still open to the idea of helping the Eagles, but with conditions.

“I would consider it, yes, but I also consider if somebody wants something then they have to be doing something too. It shouldn't be just a straight handout,” said Spiller, adding there are other sports groups who need assistance as well. “We also have the local minor football and soccer wanting some outdoor shelters and storage areas for their equipment down at the fields. There are many different ideas to put it into. It is not hard to spend $400,000 in a municipality.”

Meanwhile, Spiller's eyes are focused on April 14 when the provincial budget is handed down. Along with his concern on whether critically important MSI funding levels will at least remain the same, the mayor is also wondering whether the province will begin a trend of downloading the cost of services to municipalities.

“And expect us to maintain them. It's tough,” said Spiller, adding his current number 1 concern is the economy. “So many of our citizens could or have lost their jobs or had a reduction in hours or wages. That concerns us because they have to live and survive and raise their families.”

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