Council unanimously approved the Countyís 2012 budget with a three per cent municipal tax increase, March 27.
The average Rocky View resident with a home value of $871,000 will pay $62 more than last yearís municipal tax bill of $2,057.
ìCouncil believes this to be a fair budget and fiscally responsible budget,î said Rocky View County Reeve Rolly Ashdown. ìCouncil and staff reviewed every item in the budget to ensure projects and service levels will continue to meet the needs of all our communities. We appreciate the work staff has invested in this budget.î
This yearís operating budget includes $126.3 million in expenses, down about $13.5 million from last year. Capital projects are estimated to cost about $42.9 million, down $27 million from lastís years capital budget.
The capital budget includes a number of projects such as water infrastructure in East Balzac, Balzacís fire headquarters, the Highway 8 fire station, Bragg Creekís wastewater treatment system, the Pinebrook lift station bypass and the Bragg Creek water treatment plant and distribution main.
The budget will also fund a number of road projects including township roads 270 and 272, range roads 31, 32, 33 and 292 and Peigan Trail.
Net tax revenue will increase by about $1.42 million, from $81.6 million to $83.1 million, while salaries, wages and benefits expenditures will decrease by $1.8 million, with most of those savings coming from the fire department.
According to Ashdown, County programming will remain status quo, with the three per cent increase going towards regional recreation funding, inflationary cost increases and councilís strategic priorities, as set out in the 2011-2013 Corporate Strategy.
ìThe 2012 Budget demonstrates our commitment to the fiscal health of the organization, while responding to the diverse needs of our residents,î said Kent Robinson, general manager of Corporate Services. ìThe County continues to keep pace with our fast growing communities ensuring the budget reflects and responds to residentís needs and new economic requirements as they arise.î
The full budget document will be available online or at the Countyís administration building at 911 32 Ave, Calgary or at www.rockyview.ca at the beginning of April.
