Town of Bonnyville: Council Highlights for October 25th, 2022

TOWN OF BONNYVILLE

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

OCTOBER 25

2023 BUDGETS

Council discussed Draft 1 of 2023 Operating and Capital Budgets. The first draft of the Operational Budget has a deficit of $721,034, which must be balanced in order to conform with the Municipal Government Act prior to final passage. Revenue has seen a decrease from the 2022 Final Budget, including the elimination of reserve transfer for snow removal, minor decreases in Farmland Taxes, Atco Franchise fee, RCMP lease, bylaw fines, and MD water and sewer revenue. Expenses have increased by $623,116 since the 2022 Final Budget. These changes include funding requests from outside organizations, technology increases, Public Works Shop Building repairs, and fuel costs, among others. Draft 1 of the Capital Budget was presented to Council balanced at $16,390,093. After Council’s Strategic Planning Session last month, they identified Recreation and Wellness and Economic Development as their top two priorities. The administration presented a Capital Budget that reflects those priorities, which included funding towards Recreation and Wellness and Economic Development activities once projects are approved by Council. The administration offered suggestions on projects that could be scaled back or deferred such as scaling back the Road Rehabilitation, deferring 52 Ave. Infrastructure Replacement, among others. Draft 2 of the Operational and Capital Budgets will be presented to Council at the Nov. 22 Regular Meeting.

BUDGET OPEN HOUSE

The Budget Open House is set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6. Draft 2 of the Operational and Capital Budgets will be presented. Council will take any feedback received from residents before an Interim Budget is passed before the end of the year. The meeting is in Council Chambers. Residents are welcomed to attend to ask questions and the meeting will also be Live Streamed on the Town’s YouTube and Facebook page.

PROCLAMATION

Mayor Elisa Brosseau proclaimed November as Family Violence Prevention Month in the Town of Bonnyville. Alberta has the third highest rate of self-reported intimate partner violence among Canadian provinces and the community benefits from creating awareness in resources on family violence. Violence against women and children represents one of the most significant social issues that endanger Canadians’ health and well-being. All community members in the Town of Bonnyville have a role to play in preventing family violence.