M.D. council approves 2022 interim budget; no mill-rate increase

By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer
The council of the Municipal District of Willow Creek has approved the municipality’s interim 2022 budget with no increases to the mill rate, and a projected surplus of just over $33,000.
At its Dec. 8 meeting, council made the decision after a presentation by Johanne Hannas, the M.D.’s director of finance.
She explained the budget projects revenue of $11,345,000.
There is a projected operating surplus of $33,484 with a net change of $800,000 more in cash at the end of the year that will go into reserves.
Due to growth in assessment arising from completion of renewable energy projects a change to the property mill rate is not necessary to fund services and projects planned for the 2022 budget.
Property taxes for individual properties in certain instances may increase as a result of new construction, property improvements or market value increases.
The budget also includes an infrastructure program with a total expenditure of $6,136,700 in the M.D. and $2,439,000 in the Hamlet of Granum on high priority projects which include roads, bridges, stormwater, waste water, facility maintenance and equipment. Many of the projects are subject to provincial funding. If projects are not funded in the 2022 budget year the municipality will re-submit application for the projects in future years.
The budget highlights are:
The 2022 budget proposes a three percent cost of living increase for staff in 2022. The total 2022 budget cost will be $164,790. No cost-of-living increase was provided to municipal staff in the 2021 budget year.
Provincial policing costs
As per the provincial policing cost model, costs are expected to increase from $220,331 to $293,565 in 2022. Costs in 2023 will increase to $440,662.
Legislative (elected officials)
A proposed three percent increase. In the 2020 and 2021 budget years, council had no increase.
Administration
A safety coordinator position will be added at a cost of $75,000 to be allocated proportionally to each department.
Information technology
Due to the planned retirement of one staff, a position will be added and a period of up to six months of overlap may occur. Staffing costs due to succession plan implementation account for an increase of $78,700 with staffing costs for IT projected to return to near 2021 levels in 2023.

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