Red Deer County council has approved multi-year budgets covering 2016-2018 operating expenditures and 2016-2020 capital expenditures. The approval came during the Dec. 8 regularly scheduled council meeting.
It is the first time the municipality has passed multi-year budgets.
The budgets maintain current service levels with no tax increase.
Under the budget, the county will spend $76,096,592 in 2016, including $29,662,382 on capital projects and $45,818,944 on operating. That compares with 2015 where total expenditures were $60,331,962, including $18,003,832 on capital projects and $41,573,451 on operating.
In 2017 the total will fall to $64,687,851, with $19,982,00 on capital and $44,343,411 on operating. In 2018 the total will be $65,830,454, with $21,671,000 on capital projects and $44,159,454 on operating.
Key initiatives outlined for 2016 include $4.2 million on bridge repairs, $6.5 million on the road paving program in 2016, $1.7 million on airport capital expansion, $1.4 million on Sylvan Lake multiplex contribution (over two years), and $3.5 million for the Spruce View reservoir.
The budget was given first reading in November.
The budgets passed Dec. 8 included no changes in the special levies from 2015. The 2016 environmental levy remains at 0.1590, the protective service levy at 0.500, and the community services levy at 0.400.
“This is an achievable and fair budget,” county manager Curtis Herzberg said in a briefing note to council. “It ties in very closely to the strategic plan for the county, maintaining current service levels and being prepared for future development.
“A key component to the budget is maintenance of our current infrastructure such as our bridges, roads, water and sewer systems and building.”
Heather Gray, director of corporate services, added, “The county is making sure ratepayers are getting the infrastructure they need for a high quality of life. The budget will provide clarity for today as well as future years.”
The complete budget is available for public viewing at www.rdcounty.ca.
