The Town of Bonnyville released the overview of a proposed 2023 operating and capital budget for residents to respond to at an open house. 

Last Tuesday, residents were encouraged to give input on the 2023 Budget that requires final passing this week. 

To reduce the 2023 operating deficit, the Town would like to review user fees, and look at options to increase municipal taxes by two per cent, increase utility and garbage charges by two per cent, and reduce amounts requested from outside organizations, as they face a deficit of nearly $740,000. 

Tax Increase Expected

“A two per cent tax increase based on the average residential household assessment of $250,375 would equate to $37.44 per year or $3.12 per month,” said Renee Stoyles, GM of corporate services.

However, tough decisions are being made. Over a dozen community groups come to the table asking to fund each year, and council and administration have to consider what they can do to accommodate these requests. 

“A lot of asks are up to an extra $200,000 in community groups, certainly more than we saw pre-COVID,” said Bill Rogers, chief administrative officer Town of Bonnyville.

The transfer of current year ID349 funding to reserve for future years is projected at $6,174,096.

The total capital budget expenses sit at $16,390,093.

“This draft of the budget has a lesser deficit than prior years,” said Stoyles.

Plans for the Pool 

The Council’s strategic plan was updated in Oct. 2022 with a priority focus on building a new aquatics centre.

“The funding for the new pool under the capital budget is already one million dollars allocated to a reserve transfer in 2023 and $2.6 million for a recreational wellness project,” said Stoyles.

In 2019, the Town and M.D. partnered on a study to look at replacing the existing pool. 

“As a result of the surveys that were conducted with the Town and M.D. residents, it was identified at the time that a new structure would ideally be located at the C2,” said Bill Rogers.

“During strategic planning earlier this year, the council identified one of their top priorities as trying to move the aquatics centre project forward.”

“Where we are at is finance planning, investigating grants, and identifying partners in an effort to put together a plan that would allow this idea to become a reality,” Rogers concluded.

Renee Stoyles said they are going through funding options for a new pool based on what they receive back and possible grant funding, whether it is used for a new aquatics centre to be transferred to a reserve for 2025. 

“We are going to be rolling up our sleeves and doing a lot of work over the next week with the feedback and announce the council’s balanced budget next week,” said Rogers.

Balanced Budget

Currently, the capital budget is a balanced budget without the costs for projects deferred or unfinished at the end of 2022. The final budget will be passed after assessments are given early next year in April. Then, the tax rate bylaw is officially set. 

Each municipality must pass an interim budget prior to Dec 31, 2022.

If residents have any questions regarding the 2023 Budget they can contact the Corporate Services Department at 780-826 3496 or email rstoyles@town.Bonnyville.ab.ca.