BOWDEN -- Town councillors have finalized Bowden's 2019 budget.
The balanced budget calls for operating costs and expenditures each totalling $3,133,312.42.
It calls for no tax increase for residents because they've already been hit with an increase in sewer charges. However, commercial properties will see a two per cent tax hike, interim chief administrative officer Jacqui Molyneux says.
However, although the budget contains no increase in residential taxes, Molyneux could not guarantee that residential taxes won't rise for some property owners.
"This all depends on the assessment but they should not see a change unless their assessment went up," she said.
As the Albertan reported earlier, sewer as well as water meter testing rates have risen in the town as of April 1.
Sewer rates rose to $3.10 per cubic metre (cu.m.) from the previous rate of $3 per cu. m. The basic service charge doubled to $10 from $5.
In addition, the water meter testing and inspection deposit doubled to $400. This deposit is only refunded if the meter is found to be faulty.
Residents will see those new rates reflected in the next billing cycle, which is printed on April 9.
The town usually sends out tax notices by the third week of May.
Molyneux said town officials don't yet know how much the community will receive from the province via the MSI (Municipal Sustainability Initiative) funding grant. However, she said town officials have earmarked $226,660 for various projects, using up last year's grant.
The town plans to undertake more flushing and cameraing of sewer pipes as well as lining of manholes to stop leaks and prevent water from running into sewers, thereby causing wastewater bills to soar.
Some of that work was done last year. Last fall, Molyneux said manhole lining could save the town about $190,000 a year.
