Local News 

Claresholm town council approves 2019 capital budget

Posted on: Staff Writer

By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer
Claresholm town council has approved its 2019 capital budget which will be about $6.6 million in funding for projects highlighted by almost $3.8 million for the multi-use community building; as well as a stormwater system upgrade; paving overlay and sewer replacement; walking paths; a gravel truck; 4X4 pick-up truck; water meter upgrades; new mowers; and a Bobcat replacement with attachments.
At its Dec. 10 meeting, council approved its capital budget at the same time as its operating budget.
Council approved a list that includes:

  • $400,000 for continuation of Phase 1 of the town’s storm management plan including the storm water management facility, upgrade of the Eighth Street ditch, and upgrades to the golf course ditch and ponds.

A total of $280,000 will come from a provincial Alberta Community Resilience Program grant; and $120,000 from a Municipal Sustainability Initiative grant.

  • $1,514,331 for Phase 2 of the storm water management plan for the Centennial Park, main outfall upgrade.

A total of $1,362,898 will come from a provincial Alberta Community Resilience Program grant; and $151,433 from a Municipal Sustainability Initiative grant.

  • $470,000 for a pavement overlay to damaged roads including the 100 block of 55th Avenue West, the 400 and 500 blocks of 49th Avenue West, and the 5400 block of 2A Street East, plus sewer trunk replacement on 49th Avenue West.

A total of $320,000 from an MSI grant; and $150,00 from water and sewer capital reserves.

  • $150,000 to expand walking paths throughout town, that is Westlynn Drive to the cemetery on Eighth Street West.

Funding will be $75,000 in a Community Facility Enhancement Program grant; and $75,000 in a Federal Gas Tax Fund grant.

  • $100,000 for the replacement of a gravel truck, to come from MSI.
  • $40,000 for the re-placement of a half-ton truck to come from MSI.
  • $3,789,000 to renovate the former Claresholm Elementary School building into a multi-use community building.

A total of $2.8 million will come from a debenture; $170,000 from a multi-use community building reserve; $180,000 from general capital reserves; $84,500 from an Enabling Accessibility Fund grant; $352,120 from a Community Facility Enhancement Program grant; and $202,380 from MSI.

  • $28,000 for a water meter mobile data collection upgrade from capital water and sewer reserves.
  • $4,000 for a zero-turn mower to come from a Federal Gas Tax Fund grant.
  • $53,000 for a lawn mower for the parks department to come from a Federal Gas Tax Fund grant.
  • $45,000 for Bobcat replacement, with $40,000 to come from trading it in; and $5,000 tax funded.
  • $6,500 for a snowblower attachment for the Bobcat to be tax funded