Mountain View County council has taken a first look at the proposed 2019 operating budget for the municipality. The review came during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.
The budget calls for total revenue of $34,587,504 in 2019, an increase of $877,141 compared with 2018.
Total expenses are projected to be $36,410,754, down $292,666 compared with 2018.
The budget includes projected operating expenses for the various departments in the municipality.
The 2019 operating budget for council is proposed to be $78,000 higher than in 2019.
“This can be attributed to changes in wages including an increase of 15 per cent to offset the loss of councillors’ tax free allowance,” administration said in a briefing note accompanying the budget.
The 2019 operating budget for the CAO would increase by $50,000.
“Personnel costs contribute $34,000 to this increase. Emergency management’s $15,000 budget has moved to this cost centre this year from roads, facilities and shops.”
The operating budget for finance would decrease by $40,000.
The assessment budget would decrease by $9,000.
“This is mostly accounted for by a lowering of training. In 2018 it was anticipated that assessors would have more training related to change in the Municipal Government Act.”
The planning budget would increase by $90,000 and the development budget would decrease by $21,000.
The legislative services budget would decrease by $158,000.
The agricultural services budget would increase by $9,000.
“Six thousand dollars of this increase is new support of a grazing association.”
The community services budget would decrease by $343,000.
“Rural crime reduction initiative is down by $120,000 from last year due to repurposing of the grant.”
The parks and land budget would increase by $6,000.
“Administration wishes council to review the operating expenses and review and provide direction to any changes deemed necessary,” administration said in a briefing note coming before council.
“A COLA (cost of living allowance) of 2.5 per cent has been estimated for this year. Council will be presented detailed information on the COLA at the Feb. 6 council meeting and it is recommended that council pass an independent motion on COLA amendments, if any for the year.”
The estimated budget increase with a 2.5 per cent COLA is approximately $250,000, the note states.
The complete proposed 2019 operating budget is available for viewing on the county’s website. The budget will be back before council next month for further consideration.
