Lacombe City Council has approved the 2022 Capital Budget, which includes 30 projects at the anticipated cost of $10.17 million.
Council approved the budget based on Council’s desire to limit the tax increase to 2.7 percent, with an additional one percent Special Paving Tax.
“Council realizes the one percent Special Paving Tax fall outside of our CPI target. Given the need to ensure Lacombe’s roads are kept to the highest standard of quality and safety, this is a necessary step,” said Lacombe Mayor, Grant Creasey.
The Budget funding sources include $7.59 million from grant funding, $2.43 million from reserve fund withdrawals, and $150,000 from other sources.
The proposed funding will be distributed amongst four divisions, including $65,000 towards the Lacombe Police Service, $380,000 towards Corporate Services, $8.18 million towards Operations and Planning Services, and $1.54 million towards Community Services.
These projects’ total operational impacts equal $199,500, reflected in the 2022 Operating Budget.
Council will make adjustments to the Capital Budget, if required, during the Spring Amendments.
“Lacombe City Council’s approval of the 2022 Capital Budget helps the City ensure the proper care of current and future assets,” said Creasey. “The 30 projects scheduled in 2022 will help ensure the services our residents expect are delivered at a reasonable cost.”
The proposed 2022 budget for revenues and expenses in the water department is $114,000 higher than the 2021 approved budget and includes a 2.7 percent or $89,000 increase in user fees.
Water rates will increase from the $2.56 per cubic meter in 2021 to $2.63 per cubic meter in 2022. The flat utility rate will increase from $27.82 to $28.57 per month on all active accounts.
For expenditures in that department, the budget includes an $85,000 increase in contract services for a contracted Data Analyst and the City of Lacombe water Loss Assessment Study.
The wastewater department’s proposed 2022 revenue and expenditure budget is approximately $43,000 less than the 2021 approved budget.
The proposed 2022 wastewater budget includes a 2.7 per cent increase in user fees, commission. The wastewater rate will increase from $2.75 per cubic meter in 2021 to $2.82 per cubic meter in 2022 and the flat utility rate will increase from $20.79 to $21.35 per month on all active accounts.
The proposed budget for the solid waste department is approximately 1.4 percent or $36,000 higher than the 2021 approved budget. A Solid Waste Operator position was also approved, which would see the position go from a casual to a full-time position.
“Lacombe City Council’s approval of the 2022 Operating Budget aligns with Council’s goal of maintaining tax increases to inflation,” Creasey said. “Council looks forward to providing value to our residents while ensuring costs are kept to a minimal.
Any adjustments, if required, to the Operating Budget will come during the Spring Amendments.