Interim budgets set for Coalhurst

Posted on January 4, 2024 by Sunny South News

By Nikki Jamieson
Sunny South News

Interim budgets and plans for the Town of Coalhurst have been approved for 2024.

The Interim Capital and Operating budgets were presented at Coalhurst council’s regular Dec. 19 meeting. Mayor Lyndsay Montina noted that as they have already gone through multiple budget meetings and processes, nothing in there was a “surprise” at this point.

For the 2024 budget, there is a net taxation increase of 6.72 per cent. This is due to the following changes:

• Municipal Operations

   – Inflationary and Contractual ($16,375, or 0.69 per cent)

   – Personnel ($76,425, or 3.23 per cent)

   – Historical and Trend Adjustments (-$20,176, or -0.85 per cent)

   – Projects (-$13,500, or -0.57 per cent)

• Increase in RCMP costs ($100,000, or 4.22 per cent)

Director of corporate services Mike Passey said there was just one carried-over project from 2023 in the capital budget: a wildfire truck with a budget of $18,900, which has been delayed due to supply chain issues. However, the major parts have been sourced and it will be assembled in the coming months, with completion being expected by the end of the first quarter. Passey also advised there were some minor costs associated with the Constructed Wetland (budget of $10,000) and Public Works Shop Addition (budget of $15,000) projects which could roll over into 2024.

“They are 99 per cent completed there, but there’s just a couple of portions that are still outstanding, that just will carry over,” said Passey, adding that they are carry overs from previously-approved budgets.

Other items in the 2024 Capital budget include:

• Network sewer ($15,000)

• Road rehab ($310,000)

• Sewer lining ($500,000)

• Storm Trunk 45th Ave/Canal ($2.6 million)

• Wetland Development ($200,000)

• Community Gardens ($56,000)

A finalized budget will be passed in the spring after the Town receives their mill rates from the province.

Council passed motions to adopt the 2024 Interim Operating Budget, the 2024 Capital Budget, the 5-Year Operating Plan, and the 10-Year Capital Plan.