Red Deer County councillors are scheduled to consider the proposed 2015 operating and capital budgets at this week's council meeting, with administration requesting that the vote to pass the budgets be considered on Dec. 9.
In a note coming before council, administration said, in part, that corporate services has been “especially mindful of council's strategic plan while budgeting and has ensured adequate resources available to achieve success. We have maintained current service levels with slight modifications.”
The capital budget calls for total expenditure of $20,530,588 in 2015, down from $27,437,553 in 2014. The operating budget calls for expenditures of $46,425,598, up from $45,441,289 in 2015.
“As you can see operating expenses are slightly higher in 2015 due to significant ‘asks' from other organizations in the community,” administration said. “Specifically, allowances have been made for contributions to the Red Deer Regional Airport, the Sylvan Lake Multiplex, and Red Deer College's facility enhancement projects.”
Key initiatives for 2015 include $1.5 million on the Kevisville landfill remediation, $500,000 on Red Deer College-Canada Winter Games facility request, $6 million on the road paving program, $1.7 million on airport capital expansion, and $1.1 million over two years toward the Sylvan Lake complex.
“Capital expenses are lower in 2015 by about $7 million. In 2014, we had a few unusual items that increased our capital budget. They were station 6 protection services building ($2.9 million), stormwater improvements at Gasoline Alley ($1.6 million), McKenzie road off-ramp ($1.5 million), and Rge. Rd. 42 realignment ($1.1 million). The 2015 budget reflects our overall service level with a few exceptions.
“A key component to the budget is maintenance of our current infrastructure such as our roads, water and sewer systems and buildings.”
Under the capital budget, the county anticipates spending $18.4 million on capital roadwork and maintenance in 2015, as well as $4.1 million on bridgework, with half funded from bridge reserves.
