MD of Willow Creek council adopted its 2022 operating budget of $15.4-million and capital budget of just over $10-million.
The decision came at council’s April 13 meeting after a presentation by administration.
The total operating budget revenue is $15,447,885 with total operating budget expenditures of $15,401,276, generating a surplus of $46,609.
The total capital budget is $10,120.200.
Council had approved an interim budget in November, and there have been amendments to the interim budget.
An increase to municipal revenues includes an increase in “other revenue” projected at $965,000 projected as a result of a “supplementary tax” to allow for the assessment of additional improvements that did not meet the provincial assessment deadline date of Oct. 31, 2021, which is applicable to oil and gas, and linear properties.
Administration expenses increased $34,000 to account for the remaining balance for the 2021 ortho photo project to account for 2022 project completion.
There are also additional expenditures related to the tri-services building open house in Granum and additional costs related to the municipal newsletter mailing and printing costs.
Information technology and global information system budget revenues and expenditures were amended to include a $350,000 Alberta Community Partnership grant for the Alberta Municipal Data Sharing Partnership being managed by the MD of Willow Creek.
There was no change to the fire departments budget.
Disaster services had about a $1,500 increase due to 911 dispatch costs.
The community peace officer budget added revenue and expenditure changes related to the community peace officer contract with the MD of Ranchland.
The emergency services budget had an increase in costs of $5,000 related to “Report Exec” program maintenance change.
The Granum budget had an increase of $25,000 in land sales projected for 2022 due to the projected sale of a tax forfeiture lot.
The transportation budget had $100,000 transferred from reserves to fund a transportation master plan, and $230,000 was added to bridge amortization expenses.
This recommendation from administration will begin dedicating funds annually to support infrastructure replacement.
Public utilities, that is water and waste water, had an additional review of costs and revenues undertaken in order to more clearly define operating deficits related to each utility system operated by the MD of Willow Creek.
This information was utilized to review utility costs at the April 27 meeting when the 2022 utility by-law was presented to council for review.
Waste disposal services had a small increase to landfill costs related to a per capita change due to population growth.
The cemetery/planning and development had no significant changes from interim budget.
The Agricultural Service Board budget had changes in revenue reflecting the sale of strychnine. Expenditures reflect increased chemical costs for 2022 program.
The recreation/parks/ library budgets had no significant changes from interim budget.
Capital budget
The projected transfer from reserves to support future infrastructure replacement includes $800,000 in the 2022 budget.
In addition to the projected $230,000 in bridge amortization a total of $1,030,000 will be dedicated for future infrastructure replacement.
With reductions to Municipal Sustainability Initiative funding projected in future years, reliance on grant funding will not maintain the required pace for infrastructure replacement. the dedication of municipal funds for future infrastructure replacement is critical for maintaining municipal public assets.
Inflationary cost increases due to factors beyond the MD of Willow Creek’s control have increased capital replacement.
Increased costs of capital are reflected in the 2022 budget for current and future year replacement.
This issue will be relevant for future years as both cost and availability will require both longer term projections and contract ordering.
