Richard Froese
South Peace News
Big Lakes County has approved a final operating budget of just under $34 million for 2025 with no increase in the municipal mill rate.
At a special budget meeting April 16, council adopted an operating budget of $33,951,010 in operating expenses and operating revenue of $43,006,150.
“Municipal tax revenue is based on the 2024 assessed property values and a zero per cent increase to the municipal tax rates,” says Joey Sutton, manager of finance.
“Utility revenues are based on zero per cent rate increase.”
He adds operations and services will continue without any cuts.
“Current service levels will be maintained,” Sutton says.
The final operating budget also includes contributions of $7,453,635 to capital reserves, contributions of $1,759,895 to operating reserves and withdrawing $4,004,349 from reserves for capital.
He says preparing the budget was a challenge considering the current tough economic challenges in the midst of a federal election campaign and increasing costs of products when new U.S. President Donald Trump announced hefty tariffs after his inauguration in January.
“All we can do in economic uncertainty is provide stability,” Sutton says.
“That’s why administration recommends a zero per cent increase in the municipal tax rate.”
During deliberations for the interim budget in December, administration recommended a tax rate increase of 0.5 per cent.
However, property owners can expect their municipal taxes will increase if their property assessment have increased, he says.
Property tax revenue increased due to a higher-than-expected assessment increase for residential properties and a significant assessment increase for industrial, Sutton says.
Since the interim budget was adopted Dec. 11, council transferred $250,000 to reserves to contribute funds to an economic development reserve for development of a proposed energy corridor on land of the Swan Hills Hazardous Waste Treatment Centre on Crown land, and the surrounding area.
The provincial government has scheduled to close the plant in 2026 and Big Lakes proposes to designate the land for energy and industrial development.
Council also approved a capital budget of $9,811,836.
“Capital expenses reflect new projects, maintenance of existing infrastructure and/or completing projects underway in 2024,” Zdeb days.
- Public works bridge projects for $2,417,476.
- Public works airport projects for $1,686,879.
- Public works road projects for $1,523,782.
- Fire department vehicles and equipment for $1,365,621.
- Public works vehicles and equipment for $1,260,000.
- Public works facilities projects for $549,501.
- Public works land projects (Spruce Point Park marina) for $526,327.
- Public works waste- water projects for $313,500.
- Public works water projects for $148,500.
- Public works land projects for $12,000.
- Administration information technology for $8,250.
Funding has been allocated in the final operating 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.
Funding has been budgeted to allow a maximum of five council members to attend the annual convention of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities planned for 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.
County CAO David Reynolds said during budget deliberations that the economic development committee is ambitious to move forward with economic development.