Mountain View County council has reviewed the proposed 2018 operating budget and could vote on approval as early as next week.
The review took place during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.
The budget calls for total revenues of $33,998,081 and total expenses of $36,703,420, including $21,094,196 for operational services such as roads and airports.
In 2017, total revenues were $33,332,394, and total expenses were $35,848,763.
In a briefing note to council received March 28, administration said the overall 2018 budget has gone up due to four main factors.
“The first increase is caused by recreation and library funding for $510,000,” the note states. “The second increase is the rural crime reduction Initiative funding for $150,000. The third increase is a cost of living adjustment of $159,000.
“The fourth increase is $70,000 for environmental liability management. When these increases are set aside, this year’s methods and review have achieved an overall reduction in budget.”
Inherent in the budget estimates are several risks and opportunities, the note states.
“The largest risks facing MVC are lack of confirmation on many grants from the province of Alberta ($5,900,000), and weather events such as flood or snow.
“Potential opportunities for MVC include staff budgeted for without an allowance for vacancies, and oil and gas related revenue may be greater than the slightly increased budget for 2018.”
The 2018 budget calls for total council expenses of $652,564, a decrease of $36,000 over 2017.
“A large portion of the decrease has come from no election costs for 2018, which was budgeted at $40,000 in 2017.
“All councillor division budgets have been budgeted at the same rate of $70,138, with the exception of the reeve and deputy reeve. Employee recognition costs have decreased $1,500.”
The budget calls for total CAO department expenses of $841,217, a decrease of $183,000 over last year.
“A total of $160,000 of expenses for the inter-municipal communities grant will not be present for 2018 budget. Further budget decreases include $18,000 in consulting, $5,000 in corporate training, and $11,000 in human resources.”
The budget calls for corporate services finance and general office expenses of $2,291,051, assessment expenses of $512,181, business services expenses of $823,422, and $225,000 for waste management.
“Finance has absorbed a position from assessment for an $80,000 increase in 2018.The finance intern position was not budgeted for last year for an increase of $70,000.
“There is an offsetting operating project for asset management, which has been added for $65,000. There is a net salary increase of $40,000.”
The budget calls for planning and development services total expenses of $2,063,103, including $1,215,524 for planning.
“Planning has increased by $104,000. Most of this increase can be accounted for by one-time projects, $60,000 for inter-municipal development plan reviews and two area structure plan reviews with a further total $10,000 each.
“The other increases can be accounted for with small increases to amortization and personnel costs of $5,000 and $17,000 respectively.
“Development is down by $3,000 from 2017 budget. This is related to a reduction in personnel costs in development. Permitting has increased by $7,000 which is related to personnel costs.”
The budget calls for legislative and community services total expenses of $7,902,187, including $5,123,784 for community grants and transfers.
The legislative services budget has decreased by $130,000.
“Legislative services personnel costs across the entire department have decreased by $56,000. Non- reoccurring projects are down by $67,000. A further reduction was seen in patrol radio communications of $9,000.”
The community services budget has increased by $701,000.
“The largest part of this increase is for recreation grants $462,000 and library $60,000. This increase is in connection with new funding agreements that were signed or proposed with our urban partners.
“A further $150,000 was added for rural crime reduction initiative under community services grants. An increase in budget is due to $100,000 donation to Olds College.”
The budget calls for operational services $21,392,696, including $21,094,196 for roads, facilities and shops.
If the operating budget is passed at the April 11 meeting, councillors could also consider passing the 2018 tax rate bylaw.
