March 13, 2023 Town of Westlock Adopts 2023-2026 Operating Budget

News Release

For Immediate Release

March 14, 2023

Town of Westlock Adopts 2023-2026 Operating Budget

Westlock, AB – Westlock Town Council passed the 2023-2028 Capital Budget on February 13, 2023, and now concludes the budget process by passing the 2023-2026 Operating Budget at the Regular Meeting of Council held Monday, March 13, 2023.

Council began budget discussions with Administration on November 19, 2022. Every budget process considers service levels, future planning, keeping tax increases to a minimum, and addressing those external pressures of supply chain issues, rising inflation, and ongoing increases in energy costs.

Westlock Town Council consecutively passed zero per cent tax rate increase budgets in 2020 and 2021. With the global pandemic and unprecedented pressures, those decisions were necessary. However, a zero per cent tax increase places a municipality in the negative for that year as all the external costs continued with rising gas, diesel, power, and natural gas prices. Then a 1.9% tax rate increase was approved in 2022. Work within the municipality and services were able to continue during these three years as the Town lowered the contribution to reserves to offset the rising inflationary costs.

The 2023-2026 Operating Budget requires a 3% tax increase to maintain and support operations and to address those external pressures. This equates to an average increase of approximately $5.52/month or $66.26/year for homeowners. The average non-residential property will increase by approximately $9.79/month or $117.53/year.

"We will continue with repairs and maintenance of building infrastructure and roads to refurbish and extend life and usability; this is constantly ongoing work.” Simone Wiley, Chief Administrative Officer. “With this budget, we are investing in asset management software to further and support our data-based decision making as it is embedded in all our planning. We are continuing to work on developing the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP), which will assist residential homeowners in updating the energy efficiency of their homes. We've included additional funding for Family and Community Support Services and will continue with the Large Item Pick up event and the Town Wide Community Garage Sale."

"Every municipality in Alberta faces a significant reduction in support for capital infrastructure as provincial grants continue to decline at an alarming rate.” Ralph Leriger, Mayor. “Building a reasonable and workable budget is seldom something that is appreciated. No one wants taxes to rise, but those taxes pay for our services and future. This budget was carefully prepared and thought out. I'm so proud of the work Administration and Town staff accomplish for our community—roads, utility, recreation, development, so many things that go unseen and unsung."

Media contact:

Simone Wiley, Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Westlock
780-350-2100

Ralph Leriger, Mayor
Town of Westlock
780-349-6769

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