Carrot River passed a budget that features an aggressive plan to upgrade its infrastructure while keeping property taxes low.
“The most important thing, I think, with the operations budget of the Town of Carrot River that taxpayers should know is that we are planning to hold the line on property taxes in 2018,” said Kevin Trew, the town’s administrator.
The budget was passed at the Feb. 21 council meeting.
Revenues
While there are no tax increases expected, the revenues generated by taxation is expected to increase from $811,000 to $820,000. This is due to new homes and busineses getting past the tax-free incentive phase now paying taxes.
The town is losing almost $19,000 in a grant from SaskEnergy that was cut by the provincial government last year. Trew said the town dealt with the hit last year, so it shouldn’t have too much of an effect.
Water fees will increase at a later date. Over the last 10 years, the town has opted to increase the minimum charge, which is currently $63. Council will discuss increasing the rate per gallon, which is $5 per 1,000 gallons over 3,000 gallons.
Some businesses aren’t recycling three years after it became available. That means the town has to pay for the extra weight to ship it and dump it in the Tisdale landfill. Council is looking at charging a fee for those businesses that refuse to recycle to recoup the cost.
“Right now, businesses that are not co-operating are costing the taxpayers a lot of money,” Trew said. “In fact, it’s costing business taxpayers lots of money.”
A new agreement with the RM of Moose Range means that certified pumpers will be able to dispose of septic waste in the town’s lagoon for a fee.
Total revenues for 2018 are expected to be $1.974 million, compared to $1.968 million last year.
Expenses
The town expects to spend $1.97 million this year, compared to $1.93 million last year.
There will be a 1.9 per cent increase to staff wages.
Street maintenance will increase from $44,000 to $60,000. There will be a new cold mix program to allow town staff to patch the streets.
Carrot River Economic Development’s grant will decrease from $51,000 to $41,000 at their request, as many of the branding expenses are finished and they’ve seen some success fundraising from their trade show.
Capital budget
The town is looking at a $2.6 million capital budget this year.
“We have a very aggressive capital plan for 2018 and 2019,” Trew said. “We’re looking at borrowing money to do quite a bit of work in the next two years.”
The new subdivision and the new lift station serving it will take a good chunk of the money, costing $1.4 million.
$220,000 will go towards replacing water and sewer lines along Third Avenue, with repaving expected to come next year.
Parkdale Avenue will see $200,000 in chip sealing, preparing it for paving.
$180,000 will go towards replacing storm sewers to prevent another flood.
Sidewalks near the arena and curling rink will be replaced at a cost of $100,000
$60,000 will be used to update the community hall kitchen.
The town will buy land to expand the lagoon and improve the berms and ditching there at a cost of $42,000.
$30,000 will be used to replace 27-year-old windows at the town office.
The fire department will see $23,000 to replace SCBA and other equipment, as well as repair the fire hall’s roof.
