M.D. adopts 2023 operating and capital budgets

By Rob Vogt
The council of the Municipal District of Willow Creek has adopted its 2022 operating budget of $17.2 million.
The decision came at council’s April 12 meeting after a presentation by administration.
It stated the total operating budget revenue is $17,202,235 with total operating budget expenditures of $17,156,645, generating a surplus of $45,590.
Council previously approved an interim budget, and there have been amendments to it
The 2023 municipal budget indicates total property taxes and revenue are forecast to increase to $17,202,235 in 2023 from $15,415,685 in 2022.
This is due to both increased municipal revenues arising from assessment growth in the non-residential and residential property class. Total property taxes also include $4,919,265 which is collected on behalf of other organizations and includes increases arising from an increase to the School Foundation Fund requisition, increasing approximately $90,000; the local housing foundations, increasing approximately $100,000; and the Designated Industrial Assessment requisition, increasing approximately $14,000.
A significant increase in policing costs in 2023 of approximately $147,000 to $440,662 is required to be collected and remitted to the province for the RCMP.
The 2023 municipal budget indicates total net municipal property taxes of $12,180,330 to fund municipal operations and projects a $45,590 surplus.
The budget includes a dedication to reserves of $1,520,000 for future municipal infrastructure projects.
Capital budget
The 2023 M.D. of Willow Creek infrastructure project plan includes the following projects:
• Nanton Health Centre renewal, $405,000, with $500,000 in 2024, and $500,000 in 2025. Rental rates are projected to fully fund the project over the 25-year lease agreement.
• Claresholm Airport stormwater management project, Phase 1, $195,000.
• Claresholm Airport stormwater management project, Phase 2, $35,000.
• Granum stormwater management, $1.614 million, with a $900,000 final tender. The M.D. portion is 10 per cent.
• Claresholm Airport tie-down area, with a Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program grant application of $600,000. The M.D. portion is 25 per cent.
• Claresholm Airport main runway overlay, with a Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program application of $800,000. The M.D. portion is 25 per cent.
• Claresholm Airport cross strip rehabilitation, with a Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program application of $125,000. The M.D. portion is 25 per cent.
• Claresholm Airport Main strip overlay with a Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program application of $800,000. The M.D. portion is 25 per cent.
• Local road bridges, with Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program applications to replace end-of-life infrastructure, $1,000,000.
• Claresholm Industrial Area, sanitary sewer renewal, $350,000 in 2023, and $450,000 in 2024.
• Granum waterline loop and sanitary sewer servicing, $675,000.
• Township Road 12-2 grade widening, which is remaining work from 2022, $150,000.
• Moon River Estates, potable water pump/motor replacements, $185,000, to replace well pumps and motors, distribution pumps and motors, install a meter to the paddock area and replace the autodialer.
Currently the pumps and motors are well past their expected useful life and are due for replacement prior to failure.
• Granum compound expansion, $100,000, to ensure adequate room for growth. A chained link fence will be installed around the perimeter.
• Granum sidewalk replacement, $100,000. There is an annual program from 2023 to 2028. In 2023 the work is to remove and replace end-of-life sidewalk on First Avenue from Dufferin Street to Grey Street, funded by a Federal Gas Tax grant.
• Claresholm M.D. shop improvements, offices and bathroom in shop mezzanine, $100,000.
The 2023 operating budget includes a dedication of $150,000 for local road bridge maintenance, $70,000 for municipal facility condition assessments, $100,000 for new lot servicing at the Claresholm Industrial Area, and roadway improvements in Claresholm industrial area of $100,000.