MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - Council passed the 2025 capital and operational budgets at the regularly-scheduled Dec. 11 council meeting following two Mountain View County workshops and reviews at the Nov. 27 council meeting.
The budget calls for $27.4 million in operating expenses and $33.5 million in capital spending.
Key capital budget items in 2025 include a $587,000 contribution to the Didsbury 23rd Street and Twp. Rd. 314 project, $206,250 for Sundre airport lighting system, and $285,000 for Carstairs and District fire department rapid attack vehicle purchase.
As well, $3,132,240 goes towards equipment replacement, $300,000 for gravel pit stripping, and $500,000 to construct a new wash bay at the Mountain View County shop in Olds.
Asked by the Albertan to outline some of what she believes are budget highlights, Reeve Angela Aalbers said key spending includes $4.8 million for capital bridge improvements, $16.6 million to upgrade a section of the Acme Road with two bridge structure replacements and roadway upgrading from chip seal to asphalt.
Road projects totalling $6.1 million for base stabilization, asphalt long patching, subdivision chipping and the re-gravelling and re-chipping programs.
She noted that the budget also includes $2.5 million for operating and capital maintenance transfers as part of shared facilities agreements with the towns of Carstairs, Didsbury, Olds, Sundre, and the Village of Cremona. An additional $500,000 is allocated to a capital reserve for cultural and recreational programs in these communities.
On the funding side, Aalbers noted that a $550,000 or 1.7 per cent revenue increase is anticipated, “largely from the expected return of tax revenue following a three-year tax holiday on well drilling and pipelines.”
Council will consider the 2025 tax rate bylaw in April 2025.
“Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your division councillor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the budget or any other questions regarding the county,” she said.
The complete capital and operating budgets are available for viewing on the county's website.
