After some discussion, Battleford town council has approved most of administration’s proposed budget, with the exception of one expensive project – a storm sewer project.
Council’s options included approving administration’s proposed budget, approving parts of it, or defeating it.
The News-Optimist received a proposed budget Jan. 11, and a presentation by administration took place on Jan. 14 at a public meeting. A detailed outline of some of administration’s plans appears in the Jan. 17 Regional News-Optimist, representing a two per cent increase in property taxes plus an increase in utilities rates of about $72 for the average customer.
Some big proposed 2019 spends for the town included storm sewer work to take place in the industrial park, upgrades to the town’s lagoon, and work toward cemetery expansion, in three separate phases.
According to an administrative report by CAO John Enns-Wind, surface water in the industrial park flows along streets and avenues near 5th Avenue and 13th Street. Water flows into the Battle River, and this runoff has increased erosion of the bank near the Battle River.
Storm water overflows the shallow curbs, and some businesses experience flooding. The town has tried different methods to mitigate flooding, although Enns-Wind wrote these haven’t’ been successful.
A storm sewer system would drain the water into the river, rather than leaving water run off from the surface, which contributes to eroding. Eventually, the erosion could approach the road and a nearby sewer main.
Enns-Wind argued the storm sewer system was “one of the most critical pieces of work that has to be done.”
Possible total costs for the storm sewer system project would be $1.8 million, proposed over five years, although Enns-Wind said $1.8 million was likely as expensive as the project would get.
The lagoon system, according to a report by Enns-Wind, is at capacity and at the end of its expected cycle. Council has been aware of the need for wastewater lagoon upgrades for some time.
Administration made one amendment to the proposed budget between last Monday, Jan. 14, and this Monday. The previous version of the proposed budget recommended an approximately $4,500,000 spend in 2019 toward waste water lagoon upgrades.
The amended budget recommended that large amount be separated into years, with the 2019 spend proposed to be $1,800,000 in 2019, $2,000,000 in 2020, and the remaining in 2021.
“We still need the almost $5 million, but we’re going to be asking for it in chunks now,” Enns-Wind said.
Projects approved for 2019 don’t necessarily mean they will be completed this year, and some projects definitely won’t be completed this year.
Mayor Ames Leslie said a two per cent increase to property tax revenue “doesn’t create us very much revenue,” adding he “[feared] what the carbon tax may do,” and worried about RCMP costs potentially increasing.
From the feedback he’s received, Leslie said he thinks the average person understands the rationale of a tax and fee increase, although taxpayers don’t want it.
As expressed at the previous meeting, Leslie and other councillors weren’t convinced the storm sewer project needed to be funded in the current budget, and said council needed more information before approving the project.
Council approved administration’s operating budget and capital budget, but without the storm sewer system line item. Funding approximating $300,000 could go to other projects, such as sidewalks.
