Wetaskiwin City Council passed its 2021 Capital and Operating Budgets at the regular March 8, 2021 Council meeting forecasting a zero percent tax increase and a reduction in utility rates.
The budgets include just over $41.9 million in operating expenditures and nearly $10.7 million in capital expenditures. City Council deliberated the operating and capital budgets for three days in February before passing them on March 8, 2021.
“Council and Administration continued to find efficiencies as we worked through our budget and City operations. While we are extremely happy with the progress we’ve made, we are not done yet,” stated Mayor Tyler Gandam. “Communication with our residents and business owners helped us through our budget deliberations and ensured your priorities were heard. Your ongoing input is important while we work to operate as efficiently as possible.”
Highlights of the 2021 Operational Budget include:
• Funding for the newly created Diversity and Inclusion Task Force;
• Updated recreation software;
• Funding to renew the City’s Municipal Development Plan;
• Façade improvement grants;
• And one administrative assistant position and one crime analyst position for the RCMP.
Project highlights from the 2021 Capital Budget include:
• AFRRCS radios for fire service personnel;
• Asphalt overlays;
• Updated sidewalk connections;
• Additional street sweeper;
• And waterline and boulevard rehabilitations.
The City of Wetaskiwin’s municipal tax rates will be formalized in May when the updated Tax Rate Bylaw is scheduled to be brought before Council.
shaela.dansereau@pipestoneflyer.ca
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