About half a dozen people attended the Town of Sundre’s second open house on the municipality’s levels of service, even fewer than the first such public engagement in August.
“There were lots of questions,” said Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer.
“But not a lot of questions on the levels of service.”
The three-hour open house was held on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at the municipal office in council chambers and featured numerous posters outlining budget breakdowns on a variety of expenses ranging from council compensations to the town’s departments.
While the few people who came out inquired about matters such as municipal operations, plans moving forward, as well as the new Vision for Sundre Committee, there were no ideas or suggestions submitted, said Nelson.
While one email correspondence had been received following the last open house, that input pertained more to the capital budget, whereas the discussion on levels of services revolves around the operating budget, she said.
“There wasn’t a whole lot that we could use for our (planning) purposes,” she said.
Next up, she added, is council’s fall workshop scheduled early in November.
“We bring back (to council) any concerns or suggestions that came from town residents, and incorporate them into the budget,” she said.
“If we didn’t get any comments or suggestions, we carry on as is. This is an opportunity for people to have input on our budget, and what the community considers important.”
Nelson invites anybody who was unable to attend to drop by the town office.
“We’re still open for feedback,” she said.
“My door is always open.”
Levels of service highlights
The mayor’s budget amounts to $37,327, which breaks down to a base salary of $22,327, with an additional $7,500 for both committees and professional development.
Councillors’ budgets amount to $19,320, which breaks down to a base salary of $13,320, with an additional $3,000 for both committees and professional development.
The base salary includes regular meetings, public engagements, meeting preparation, meeting with residents, responding to emails. Committees include the variety of groups and organizations members of council sit on and are expected to attend, while professional development involves attending conferences, seminars, and conventions that offer opportunities to gain additional insight on governance roles and responsibilities.
The chief administrative officer’s total budget comes to $184,583, and includes: responsibilities such as serving as an administrative link and liaison between council and staff; providing guidance to council and implementing as well as incorporating council’s decisions; advising council on the municipality’s operations and affairs; attending council and committee meetings; building and maintaining relationships as well as communicating with council, the community, municipalities, public and private agencies.
Total contributions for third party organizations — including annually budgeted commitments and the grant application process — amount to a total of $635,673 (or 17.6 per cent of the town’s operating budget), of which $275,052 flows through annual contributions from Mountain View County and the provincial government.
Regular recipients include: Sundre Aquaplex, $52,350; Sundre Community Van Society, $7,000; Sundre and District Historical Society, $10,000; Family and Community Support Services, which receives funds through provincial agreement, $32,770; and Sundre Municipal Library, $105,001.
Grants awarded through the application process amount to $96,500 to support programs like storefront improvement, community-based recreation or culture projects, as well as festivals and events hosted by local organizations.
The total cost for the corporate services department is $373,817, which includes financial management, $130,816; information technology, $76,001; taxation and assessments, $59,000; and human resources, $45,000.
Operations, which is composed of roads, water and wastewater, gas utility system and solid waste, includes: $193,827 for roads in the summer; $271,359 for roads in the winter; $587,522 for wastewater and water, which is largely user pay; $253,144 for solid waste collection, also user pay; and $106,690 for the gas utility, also user pay.
Planning and development is budgeted at $469,201, with economic development being allocated $236,020, with $140,130 earmarked for the community peace officer and bylaw enforcement.
The Sundre Fire Department’s budgeted $68,308 includes fire response in town and surrounding area, public education, training, and fire inspections.
Other noteworthy items include: Sundre Community Centre, $78,459; Greenwood Campground, $39,082; playgrounds, $31,214; flowers, $41,367; parks and trails, $68,554; and the Sundre Arena, $137,233.
A full, detailed break down of all the municipality’s levels of service is available online at www.sundre.com by scrolling down to “Latest News” and clicking on “Master Level of Service 2019.”
