The Alberta Government released its 2017 budget yesterday afternoon, with specific highlights for major urban areas, including new schools and hospitals in Calgary and Edmonton.
The Alberta Government released its 2017 budget yesterday afternoon, with specific highlights for major urban areas, including new schools and hospitals in Calgary and Edmonton.
Mayor Judy Dahl spoke to the Albertan this afternoon about the impact of the provincial government download on the Town of Olds.
Here's a summary:
The MSI capital funding for 2017 is $2,030,862 ($32,067 less than 2016). The MSI operating funding for 2017 is $72,981 ($946 less than 2016).
For more information on the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) go to http://municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/msi
While 2017 numbers are not yet available, the total for the province increased, and the mayor therefore anticipates an increase for Olds, over last year's $464,568.
For more information on the federal gas tax go to: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html
While 2017 numbers are not yet available, provincial budgets have remained the same, and so the town expects the same as last year, $368,936.
The FCSS grant will remain the same as in 2016, at $200,000.
For more information on the FCSS go to http://www.humanservices.alberta.ca/family-community/14876.html
While 2017 numbers are not yet available, it has been announced that the program will continue, and the mayor is hoping that the grant amount will be the same as last year, at $20,882.
For more information on the STEP program go to: http://www.albertacanada.com/opportunity/employers/summer-temporary-employment-program.aspx
The biggest impact for Olds, said the mayor, will be seen in an increase in the education requisition for our local taxpayers. The increase is $284,672, which will cause the average family dwelling school tax to increase by $53.80 per year, or a 7.2 per cent increase.
For more information on the Education Property Tax go to: http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/education-property-tax-facts-and-information
A full story on the impact of the provincial budget on the town will be in next Tuesday's print edition.
