The presentation of the 2018 draft budget coincided with the swearing-in of Cochrane town council on Monday night.
Newly-elected Mayor Jeff Genung and councillors will review the proposed $52.6 million budget, which is highlighted by a three per cent property tax hike, before budget deliberations begin on Nov. 17.
The property tax increase equates to $5.32 per month per household (based on an average assessment of $481,410). Municipal tax revenues for 2018 are estimated at $25.8 million, or a seven per cent tax rate increase over this year.
Themed on maintaining services and keeping up with the demand resulting from growth – the town grew 3.6 per cent this year. The budget’s tax revenue is based on an estimated growth rate of four per cent for next year.
Budget highlights include an additional 11.07 full time town staff hires – which includes four full-time firefighters and an RCMP detachment clerk and crime analyst. There are currently 330 people employed with the town, including 209 permanent, full-time and permanent and part-time positions and 121 casual employees.
“I’m keeping an open mind, but I’m really excited to get started on the budget,” said Genung, who is looking to the details of the budget and public feedback through upcoming info sessions to help inform where savings can be achieved.
He said he heard the driving message that the town is looking to keep up with growth through the budget and is pleased that potential staffing additions include boosting community safety.
Coun. Morgan Nagel said he will investigate whether the town has historically been putting enough money away for life cycling of existing infrastructure and is looking for more information on the predicted growth rate of four per cent – which has been explained as “conservative” by administration.
He added that he is a “little skeptical of the need for four more firefighters” saying there is a greater need for more bylaw and RCMP officers.
Coun. Alex Reed, who strongly campaigned on fiscal responsibility, said off the hop this appears to be a “fairly generous budget.”
The former Athabasca councillor and senior administrator said he wants to ensure the town is “preparing now for a potential change in government and the exercise of what a 20 per cent cut in provincial grants would look like” as this “rosy forecast” of four cent growth “seems shortsighted” and he questions the sustainability for the long-term.
Coun. Tara McFadden said she will look to the budget to ensure funds are in place to “deliver the communications and engagement people are looking for” and to “ensure taxpayer money is being used as efficiently as possible.”
Coun. Susan Flowers said she was pleased to see future buses on the books – with GreenTRIP grant dollars in place for capital costs to implement a public transit system and plans to set funds aside for operations ($500,000 per year).
“It’s time (for public transportation) – Cochrane needs it … we can start small and build it to achieve an efficient and effective service,” said Flowers.
The budget also includes planning for a community and cultural hub and the implementation of an economic development strategy.
Other budget highlights include a 1.78 per cent increase for water and wastewater base rates; no change in utility rates, providing black bin pick-up is changed to biweekly from weekly; and no out-of-pocket costs to the taxpayer for the loan repayment for the pool and multisport centre ($4.4 million funded through an MSI operating grant).
Of the three per cent tax hike, 0.5 per cent is to fund the operating grant increases requested by the Rockyview Regional Handibus Society, Cochrane Public Library and Cochrane and Area Victim Services.
Initial budget submissions would have equated to an eight per cent property tax increase, which was further examined by senior administration and pared down to three per cent.
Total capital projects are budgeted at $28.6 million, including $25 million to “connect Cochrane” – transit, roads and Bow River bridge included in this.
Administration reiterated that projects and debt are largely paid for through collected and future offsite levies.
The 2017 budget was approved last December at $48.9 million with $25.1 million in offsetting revenues.
Budget public info sessions take place Nov. 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Visitor Information Centre; Nov. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Seniors On The Bow Centre; and Nov. 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cochrane RancheHouse.
Swearing in
Genung, flanked on the right by Reed, and joined by councillors Marni Fedeyko, Pat Wilson, Flowers and incumbents McFadden and Nagel were dressed for success at Monday night council.
Genung said he wants to make deliberate and intentional changes as his team prepares to dive headfirst into town matters such as the budget, beginning with council attire.
“We agreed as a group that we will dress for a business meeting at all times in chambers,” he said, adding that this symbolizes “respect for the room, for council chambers.”
Genung said he will take his role as a facilitator among council members, administration and the public seriously and is working hard to build upon the open dialogue that was started at the council orientation last weekend.
“It’s good to drop the force field around us,” he said, with reference to the shift from campaigning to governing. “Now we’re a team and the dynamic has shifted very quickly.”
Outgoing councillors Mary Lou Eckmeier and Gaynor Levisky were honoured for their term of service with parting gifts. They were the only outgoing council present at the swearing-in ceremony.
Committees
Appointments to committees and partnerships for 2017-2018 of town councillors were revealed Monday night and include:
Cochrane Public Library Board: Susan Flowers (primary) and Pat Wilson (alternate)
Cochrane Planning Commission: Marni Fedeyko and Pat Wilson
Emergency Management Committee: Jeff Genung
Cochrane Family and Community Support Services and Social Planning Advisory Board: Marni Fedeyko (primary) and Tara McFadden (alternate)
Inter-municipal Committee with Rocky View County: Jeff Genung, Alex Reed and Tara McFadden
Subdivision and Development Appeal Board: Morgan Nagel and Alex Reed
Partnerships
Bow RiversEdge Campground Society Capital Re-Investment Sub Committee: Tara McFadden
Calgary Regional Partnership: Jeff Genung and Morgan Nagel
Rocky View Foundation: Susan Flowers
Spray Lake Sawmill Recreation Park Society: Alex Reed
