Council approved the 2020 tax-supported operating budget, with a focus on youth, poverty reduction and summer events.
The budget, approved by council at its Monday, February 3 meeting, supports new initiatives and key priorities identified by Council and Administration while demonstrating continued fiscal responsibility.
The operational budget includes a 2 per cent increase in the municipal portion of property tax.
Administration initially presented Council with a $199,000 deficit budget that would have been financed by taking money from reserves, but instead, after Council’s direction, came back with a balanced budget.
“These are challenging economic times for Alberta however Council was determined to keep the property tax increase as low as possible,” said Deputy Mayor Tom Zariski. “We want to thank administration as they have continued to manage the budget. We feel this budget offers the best options to provide the highest levels of service possible to the residents of Drumheller.
“This rate would mean an approximate additional yearly cost of $28.40 for a house that was assessed at $200,000 last year; which equates to $2.40 per month.”
The budgeting process was challenged by reductions and cuts made by the provincial government.
The town did find some areas to invest in the community. These include pilot projects for a youth centre and programming, as well as poverty reduction efforts. They are continuing to expand community events programs with the engagement of a full-time coordinator and enhanced events budget, and an increased provision for the communications strategy and community engagement.
Work will continue on enhancing economic development and downtown revitalization, the hoodoos parking pilot, and the continued funding provision for the Community Assistance Program.
Each year as Administration and Council work to develop and refine the budget, the goals are to minimize the year over year financial impact to ratepayers, maintain previously established levels of service that meets or exceeds the expectations of ratepayers, regulators, and other stakeholders, maintain a standard of repair and upkeep in order to safeguard assets and ensure their full life cycle is realized wherever possible and review current strategic plans and new initiatives that Council has identified and have deemed a high priority for the Town.
“I am proud of our administration finding efficiencies in our operations and budget so that we can maintain existing services in our community while funding Council’s priorities that are outlined in the 2020 Strategic Plan,” said Drumheller CAO Darryl Drohomerski.
