The state of the economy and the need for a water pipeline should be top of mind as town council prepares to decide on Okotoks’ 2016 budget.
There aren’t any outlandish requests in Okotoks’ proposed 2016 budget, which was unveiled to councillors last week.
The budget maintains current service levels and administration is being asked to find ways to save money by being more efficient.
The budget proposes adding three RCMP officers, paying off almost $3 million in debt and $4.8 million for engineering and construction work to prepare a 10-acre site near 32 Street for a planned K-Grade 9 school.
However, the Town has not made any recommendations for potential tax increases and it has not specified funding for two major proposals — namely a water pipeline from Calgary and plans to add a second rink to the Pason Centennial Arena.
The economy remains fragile, some families are struggling to deal with layoffs and they could also be pinched by tax increases at the provincial and federal levels.
Councillors need to keep any potential increases as reasonable as possible, if at all.
Yes, this will be a difficult task to balance with a growing population and some pretty big needs on the horizon, the biggest being a water pipeline from Calgary.
The Town’s long-range capital plan reveals it will need just over $29 million over the next three years for the pipeline. While the Town has asked the provincial government to cover up to 90 per cent of the project, it’s not guaranteed.
The Town also wants to build another rink at the Pason arena, at a potential $12 million hit over the next two years.
The Town has already included funding for $14 million in capital projects in this year’s budget, but it’s still short another $14 million in 2016 alone for the pipeline and arena expansion.
It’s a lot to ask in uncertain times.
Council needs to focus on priorities, but also be willing to put some projects on the back burner until better times return.
Just like the ratepayers who voted them in, council may have to tighten its collective belt.
