At its Regular Meeting of December 19, 2023, Town Council adopted the 2024 Town of Coalhurst Interim Operating Budget and 2024 Interim Capital Budget. Additionally, Council accepted the interim 5-Year Operating Plan and 10-Year Capital Plan.
The 2024 Interim Budget maintains Town service levels, incorporates Council’s directions, and adjusts areas of expenses based on historical trends.
As of December 19, 2023, the Interim Budget projects a total net proposed taxation increase of 6.72%. This amount includes increases necessary for inflationary and contractual changes (0.69%), personnel (3.23%), and an increase in RCMP costs (4.22%). It also includes a decrease in costs for historical and trend adjustments (-0.85%) and projects (-0.57%).
In other words, the anticipated total taxation increase required to support municipal operations in 2024 is 2.50% and the anticipated increase for RCMP costs is 4.22%. Actual property taxes will be based on the latest assessments and the final mill rate determined in the spring when Council approves the final budget for 2024.
RCMP policing costs
Prior to 2020, the Provincial Government paid the costs of RCMP policing for municipalities under 5,000. However, in 2020, the cost was downloaded to all municipalities and Coalhurst had to begin paying for RCMP services. The amount was phased in and in 2024, Coalhurst is reaching the full amount that will be required of the Town at approximately $150,000. Some of these annual increases were subsidized but the 2024 budget is presented with the full increases required with no subsidizations from reserve accounts.
Capital projects
Some of the capital projects highlighted in the 2024 Interim Budget include:
- Completion of a wildfire truck (carried over from 2023 due to supply chain issues)
- Continued development of public amenities in the new Wetlands area
- Development of community gardens (100% grant funded)
- Road rehabilitation projects
- Lining portions of the Town’s sewer lines to prevent ground water leakage and extend the lifespan of the sewer lines by 30+ years.
- Storm trunk construction on 45th Avenue (Phase III of the 2017 Storm Water Management Plan)
To learn more, see pages 26 – 29 of the linked Interim Budget.
Next steps for the 2024 Budget
Prior to Council being able to finalize the budget and determine the 2024 Mill Rate Bylaw for property taxes, the Town needs to receive finalized assessment figures, final year-end figures from 2023 expenses, and the requisition figures. All of this information is expected to be available in early spring.
To read more about the Interim Budget, you can find the December 19, 2023 Request for Decision here and the full Interim Budget package here.
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