Increases to taxes, are they a necessary evil?

Nobody likes to pay taxes, but they are a fact of life. Can we keep taxes at a the same level every year? You may hear stories about how municipalities don't have to raise taxes. And they are true. But keeping taxes the same would mean that either external prices DON'T go up... or services are decreased. Administration works very hard to keep costs to a minimum and our expenses last year were lower than they were in 2009.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a great tool to look at an average cost increase over time; but how does that relate to increases to the municipality and eventually the Town's budget? It doesn't. The CPI is based on a basket of goods that a typical family buys. A municipality doesn't buy bread, or eggs, or clothing. It does buy fuel, oil and parts for heavy equipment. These items increase in cost, on average 2% more than the CPI each year. For example, in Irricana the fire requisition went up about 15% last year alone, which isn't in a CPI calculation and amounted to $12,000. Something that a Irricana doesn't have a choice on whether or not to pay, it is an essential service.  In an imaginary world, if that were the only cost to the municipality, taxes would go up the amount needed to pay for the increase, there is no way around it. Other increases above the CPI include the library requisition, something that we don't have to pay, but it was determined that the library is an important service to the Town so requisitions were increased.

The Town can certainly keep taxes at the current rate, but services and reserves would need to be decreased. As Danielle Klooster said in her article(http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/opinion/Five_terrible_reasons_to_run_for_municipal_office_225195362.html):

yes, fiscal accountability and responsible spending are very, very important. And no one likes paying taxes, me included.

But the No. 1 responsibility of the councillor is not fiscal responsibility — it is to build community infrastructure for future generations.

Shame on you if in five, 10 or 25 years there is no water or sewer capacity or the roads are falling to pieces or there are insufficient playgrounds and recreation opportunities because you were busy pinching pennies instead of building a community.

If anyone has a way around that increase or the Municipal Price Index, Administration would like to hear all ideas on the subject. We follow best practices and have always listened to residents through various consultations with residents and other stakeholders.

Rights and Responsibilities

Volunteering

What responsibilities do residents have for shaping the future within their community?

There will soon be advertised the annual Boards and Committees volunteer opportunities.

The Town of Irricana Council is committed to community development wherein residents come together to analyze, generate solutions and develop plans to improve Irricana's quality of life.

If you are civically minded, volunteering on a board or committee is a pro-active means to provide direct public input into decision making.  With a variety of committees, residents can lend their voice and expertise and assist in creating future realities.

Administration will be actively advocating a review of the Town's Municipal Sustainability Plan (MSP) that will be re-introduced at Ideafest.  The MSP is a high-level planning document that reflects what the community wants from every aspect of  life and suggests the means for achieving goals.  Planning for Irricana is an important strategy to guide business decisions and as such move towards a more sustainable future.  There will be an opportunity for volunteers to join this committee that is not appointed, but is rather led by Council and collaborates with administration and residents.

The review of the MSP is a small time commitment that will shape the future of Irricana; who will share their views and be part of solution based initiative that provides desirable returns.

If you don't volunteer or provide some sort of input do you have the right to complain?

Questions

This is your opportunity to ask questions of Council or Administration or suggest ideas for new subjects. What are you wondering about?

2014 Operational Budget

Operating Budget

Setting the municipal budget should be done as soon as possible in order to provide staff with the guidance needed to achieve the municipality’s goals for the year. Ideally this process should be completed prior to the beginning of the fiscal year.

The Municipal Government Act requires that every municipality adopt an annual operating budget. 

The Town of Irricana has posted the proposed budget with the various programs and services associated with the budget. Including:


TOTAL LEGISLATIVE                            $ 65,200.23
TOTAL GENERAL ADMIN                  $ 373,375.26
TOTAL TECHNOLOGY                          $ 69,041.89
TOTAL TRANS TO RESERVES           $ 31,950.00
TOTAL DEBENTURE                             $ 36,758.62
TOTAL CONTRACT PROF                  $ 108,010.81
TOTAL ADVERTISING                              $ 5,700.00
TOTAL FIRE                                             $ 81,375.00
TOTAL DISASTER                                    $ 5,000.00
TOTAL BYLAW                                        $ 13,260.00
TOTAL COMMON SERVICE                 $ 70,696.07
TOTAL EQUIP MAINTENANCE            $ 23,000.00
TOTAL STREETS                                    $ 62,814.64
TOTAL WATER MAINTENANCE           $ 62,503.77
TOTAL WATER COST                          $ 348,745.33
TOTAL SEWER                                        $ 22,547.68
TOTAL WASTE                                        $ 73,381.38
TOTAL FCSS                                           $ 38,288.52
TOTAL PLANNING                                  $ 19,427.77
TOTAL SUBDIVISION                                $ 1,208.30
TOTAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT  $ 23,411.00
TOTAL CEMETERY                                       $ 525.00
TOTAL RECREATION                              $ 14,124.22
TOTAL RECREATION SPORTS DAY      $ 1,575.00
TOTAL RECREATION CANADA DAY     $ 7,000.00
TOTAL PARKS_GENERAL                     $ 37,193.50
TOTAL PARKS_SPLASH                          $ 8,550.23
TOTAL PARKS_RINK                                 $ 2,000.00
TOTAL PARKS_KNIGHT                            $ 4,400.00
TOTAL PARKS_ENTRANCE                     $ 8,100.00
TOTAL PARKS_FOUNDERS                     $ 2,800.00
TOTAL PARKS_SOCCER                          $ 1,800.00
TOTAL PARKS_WALKER                           $ 2,000.00
TOTAL PARKS_MISC                                  $ 3,900.00
TOTAL CAMPGROUND                             $ 40,500.00
TOTAL LIBRARY                                          $ 31,664.50
TOTAL BUILDING MAINTENANCE           $ 76,543.15
TOTAL BUILDING UTILITY                          $ 95,875.49
TOTAL STREET_LIGHT                              $ 33,933.65
TOTAL REQUISITIONS                              $ 307,550.37

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSE          $ 2,215,731.39

Council has tabled the budget until October 7th Council Meeting to gain valuable public feedback on the services and programs offered. What would you like to see, what would you like to have cut, are there any additional programs that the Town should offer.

What comments do people have about the programs, service levels and associated costs. This is your opportunity to communicate your comments directly to Council. Only comments from confirmed individuals will be posted... no aliases.