Richard Froese
South Peace News
Property taxes in Big Lakes County may increase slightly in 2025.
At its interim budget meetings Nov. 22 and Nov. 25, council discussed an interim operating budget with expenses of $33,097,510.
County administration proposes a 0.5 per cent increase for municipal taxes, finance manager Joey Sutton says.“We are proposing the increase to keep the financial impact as low as possible for taxpayers,” Sutton says.
For property assessed at $250,000, he says the increase would add $6 to the municipal tax.
“One of the biggest things in the budget is being fiscally responsible as possible and maintain the level of services,” Sutton says.
Administration also proposes no changes to water rates, he notes.
Council members are also tightening their belts.
Not all nine council members will attend the annual convention of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities planned for Ottawa from May 29 to June 1.
For many years, all members of council attended the FCM convention, which Reeve Tyler Airth questioned.
“We ask administration to be fiscally responsible and so should we,” Airth says.
“Do we feel it is necessary to send all nine members to the FCM convention?”
North Gilwood – Triangle Councillor Jim Zabolotniuk agrees.
“What do we get out of it?” Zabolotniuk asks.
Four members stated they do not plan to attend.
Council decided to allocate funding for up to five council members to attend.
Administration also proposed a fire captain to Big Lakes County Fire Service.
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 says.
Airth acknowledges the work required in the fire department.
“I understand there’s a backlog of work,” Airth says.
Zabolotniuk opposes the additional position.
He says he supports the budget, but not adding more staff.
“Can we combine the work with other positions?” Zabolotniuk asks.
Council also plans to create a tourism and economic development reserve of $100,000 for future growth.
CAO David Reynolds says the economic development committee is ambitious to move forward with economic development.
“We want to get more engaged with economic development,” Reynolds says.
Grouard Councillor Jeff Chalifoux agrees.
“We have to begin marketing our community to attract business to the county,” Chalifoux says.
He says long-term planning is important.
“If we don’t move on it, we’re going to be stagnant,” Chalifoux says.
Joussard Councillor Richard Mifflin agrees.
“We need to move forward,” Mifflin says.
“Right now, we’re spinning our wheels.”
The reeve suggests council target projects.
“We can’t keep throwing money away without knowing what we want,” Airth says.
“What do we want to see?”
Council tentative plan is to update and pass the interim budget at its next regular meeting on Dec. 11.