MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - The Mountain View County 2020 operational budget is scheduled to be presented to council on March 23 after it was reviewed and discussed during the March 9 council meeting.
If the budget is approved on March 23, the tax rate bylaw could be presented for first and second reading, with possible third reading on April 13.
The proposed operating budget for agriculture services increases by $152,000, with $29,300 tied to staff salary changes, administration said in a briefing note to council.
“There was an increase to ALUS program costs of $40,000 which is offset by a corresponding revenue line,” the note states. “Re-allocations of existing budgets for equipment costs and an additional $70,000 in amortization is budgeted, however, amortization is an unfunded expense so it does not affect the tax revenue requirements.”
An additional $15,500 is also budgeted for invasive plant management and an additional expense of two new agriculture service board committee members.
The proposed budget calls for an overall change to the operational services 2022 operating budget, including shops and facilities, of $10,000.
“There was a slight re-allocation of costs within the operations budget resulting in an increase of $81,900. Facilities and shops operating budget was reduced by $71,400.
“The airport operating budget increased by $38,000, with $36,000 directed to an increase in amortization budgets which are unfunded and therefore do not affect the overall tax revenue requirements.”
The community service operating budget decreases by $423,000, which was related to the removal of 2021 projects.
“Library and recreation funding was increased by $74,000 based on CPI adjustment of 4.8 per cent and updated population which is subject to change based on the final December 2021 CPI. Population changes are also antiquated which will change the final support requirements for libraries and recreation.
“Fire’s overall operating budget increased by $599,000. There was an increase of $423,000 to fire capital grants to urban partners and an increase of $176,000 to fire operating expenses.”
The Family and Community Support Services operating budget was reduced by $2,900 overall, with the changes mostly attributed to staffing changes.
The legislative service budget decreased by $66,000, with most of the decrease coming from the removal of $50,000 for the council election project and $10,000 reduction came from the completion of the committed funding to Legacy Land Trust funding. Salaries were reduced based on staffing changes.
“Communications operating budget increased by $60,000 with the addition of two operating projects: council meeting streaming/agenda software of $25,000 and photo/video replacement of $25,000.
“Patrol’s budget increased by $178,000. There is an anticipated increase of $190,000 to the provincial police funding with small reductions in salary due to staffing changes.”
Planning’s operating budget has increased by $124,000.
“In 2022 the county is funding the manager of planning position which was previously unfunded in 2021 as well as payroll increases. Permitting’s operating budget has increased by $29,000 in staffing increases and permitting commission fees.
“Development and bylaws budget has increased by $146,000, mostly due to the addition of new position for development compliance officer, which is partially funded through the aggregate levy of $55,000 and offset by a reduction in contracted services under operational services.”
Finance's 2022 operating budget has increased by $155,000.
“The bad debt will no longer include the budget for CS-22-09 tax incentive therefore $200,000 was added to the budget and will be funded with the tax stabilization reserve. CS-22-07 bad debt expense remains at $175,000.
“There was a slight re-allocation between expense lines for waste management but the overall budget remains unchanged at $364,000.”
The chief administrative officer's operating budget increased by $38,600.
“Included in the disaster service activity is CA-22-01 fire preparedness for the Bearberry Protection Area of $15,000. We have also included the payroll increases offset by slight reductions in municipal area structure partnership and director development.”
The complete proposed budget is available for viewing on the county’s website.
