Richard Froese
South Peace News
Big Lakes County has finalized an interim operating budget of just over $33 million for 2025.
At its regular meeting Dec. 11, council approved an interim operating budget of $33,133,427 in expenses.
The interim operating budget also includes contributions of $5,846,101 to capital reserves, contributions of $1,010,422 to operating reserves and withdrawing $3,858,543 from reserves for capital.
“Current service levels will be maintained,” says Joe Zdeb, director of corporate services.
Utility revenues are based on no rate increases.
“Municipal tax revenues are based on an estimated increase in 2025 assessment values of two per cent and a 0.5 per cent increase to the municipal tax rate,” Zdeb says.
Funding has been allocated in the interim budget to hire a full-time fire captain for Big Lakes County Fire Services. The position was recommended in the fire service review completed in 2021 by Sea Hawk Services, says Pat Olansky, director of community services and planning.
Fire chief Jason Cottingham says the new position would relieve the heavy workload from the fire chief and deputy chief.
“The workload is there,” Cottingham said when he spoke to council at budget deliberations on Nov. 25.
Funding has been budgeted to send a maximum of five council members to the annual convention of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities at Ottawa from May 29 to June 1.
Reeve Tyler Airth recommended at the budget meeting Nov. 22 that council cap the number of council delegates instead of allowing all nine council members to attend.
The budget also created a tourism and economic development reserve of $100,000 for future growth.
CAO David Reynolds said during budget deliberations that the economic development committee is ambitious to move forward with economic development.
Council also approved an interim capital budget of $9,253,603.
By category, the totals include:
- Public works bridge projects at $2,866,922.
- Public works airports projects at $1,658,164.
- Public works vehicles and equipment at $1,243,000.
- Fire department projects at $1,067,550.
- Public works road projects at $743,323.
- Public works facilities projects at $449,501.
- Public works land projects (Spruce Point Park marina) at $526,327.
- Public works water projects at $373,316.
- Public works wastewater projects at $313,500.
- Public works land projects at $12,000.
“The capital budget reflects new projects, maintenance of existing infrastructure and/or completion of project underway in 2024,” Zdeb says.
“Capital will meet the provincial standards for investment in infrastructure.”
Council must pass final operating and capital budgets by the end of May.