Rocky View County (RVC) council approved an Operating and Capital Base Budget for 2015 at its regular meeting on Dec. 9. The budget includes a 4.3 per cent increase to property taxes, as well as an additional $1 million in tax funding allocated to long-term debt repayment. The approved budget also includes plans for $32 million of Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) funding go toward the construction of a new municipal building. (See story on page 9).
According to Barry Woods, financial services manager with RVC, the budget supports the current service delivery model in the County and includes a surplus of $470,300. This money will be used to “finance unfunded operating and capital expenditures to be discussed in the new year.”
“We have included a three per cent general municipal property tax, which equates to $1,650,600,” said Woods. “We’ve also included a 1.3 per cent Bearspaw Fire Station incremental tax in our emergency services levy, which adds up to $723,300.”
The total increase of 4.3 per cent equates to $2,373,900, which Woods said will be a yearly increase per household of $85.
With the approved Capital Base Budget, roads continue to be a main priority. According to Woods, $6,050,000 has been allocated for road improvements to Township Road 261A, Township Road 270, Township Road 233 and Township Road 250.
“We certainly had a lot more participation and public input into the budget in 2014,” said Kent Robinson, general manager of corporate services with RVC. “The public identified priorities of roads and fire protection. We received all of the results and compared them to the County budget, and our overall statement is that the budget is supported by the feedback we received.”
According to RVC administration, the County currently holds debt of approximately $66 million. Total debt servicing for 2015 will add up to $7,899,400, to cover both principle and interest payments on expenditures including fire equipment, fire stations, recreation.
“This also includes an additional $1 million applied to the debt repayment, which was authorized by council in 2012,” Woods said. “That item still remains in our budget today.”
Councillor Rolly Ashdown said he didn’t “see the advantage” of taking an additional $1 million and applying it to the debt repayment. He moved to have the item removed from the budget.
“I think (RVC) is doing well, and I applaud you for the financial plan here, but I think taking that million dollars and not putting it on as a tax increase is something residents of this County would applaud,” he said. “I believe that came from the idea we had a budget surplus in 2012, so council made a wise decision at that time to put that towards the debt.”
The motion failed 4-5, with Councillors Jerry Arshinoff, Earl Solberg, Greg Boehlke, Al Sacuta and Deputy Reeve Lois Habberfield voting in opposition.
“We took on new debt in other parts of the county for local improvements, and people need to see that,” Habberfield said.
According to Robinson, while the County will make a “fairly significant reduction” to its principle debt at the end of 2014, the new debt accrued by RVC will make it “close to a wash.”
The $32 million in MSI funding for the new County Municipal Building was also debated by council, although according to Robinson, it was “approved in 2014 to take the next steps to discern the future development” of the new facility.
Sacuta moved to remove the item from the budget entirely, which failed 3-6. Councillors Bruce Kendall, Boehlke, Solberg, Habberfield, Ashdown and Liz Breakey opposed the motion.
Reeve Margaret Bahcheli moved the item have a public engagement process prior to the finalization of the budget in April 2015, which was carried 7-2. Habberfield and Boehlke voted in opposition.
“I won’t support that. This item has been debated ad nauseum,” Boehlke said. “I appreciate where people are coming from, but the fact remains that no one has addressed the need. Previous councils have determined that is the direction to go, so I believe this money is well allocated.”
The budget was approved by a vote of 7-2, with Arshinoff and Sacuta opposed.
“Council has the opportunity to revisit the budget at any time during the year, as long as there is a funding source and the budget remains balanced,” Robinson said. “There is always room for improvement,” he added. “We welcome public input and questions at any time.”
The 2015 budget is on the County’s website at rockyview.ca
