The Town of Jasper has passed its 2009/2010 financial audit with flying colours.

“You’re not anywhere near your debt limits. You’re fiscally responsible and all that good stuff,” said Scott Walker, an auditor for the municipality from Meyers, Norris, Penny Chartered Accountants. “I didn’t see any big surprises this year. Overall, you’re in good hands.”

One of the the largest changes on the town’s revenue side has to do with government transfers, where the town received nearly $2 million more this year than in 2008/2009. That money is due to government grants for the Mountain Park Lodges social housing project, set to open this May.

That transfer has also affected the towns expenses. On the planning and development side, there is nearly $2 million more being spent this year compared to last. Again, this is due to the government transfers for MPL Lodge.

Schedule 3 government transfers appear to be nearly $2.5 million lower than the town’s budgeted amount in 2009/10, but according to Director of Finance and Alice Lettner, this money is marked under town assets now, instead of under the government transfer section. Once the money is actually transferred from the government, than it will go into the transfer section. Because the money is guaranteed to come right now, she said, it sits under the assets section. The change in categorizing is due to new government audit standards.

The audit also contains significant differences in the way the town’s tangible capital assets are tabulated. This is because starting this year, the town is amortizing its trucks, sewer pipes and other infrastructure.

“It will allow us to get a better idea of all assets and the value we hold,” said Lettner.

Essentially, the new plan means that a truck purchased in 2000 will be marked down at a different value in 2010. Previous to this years audit, this did not happen. A truck in 2010 was worth the same as in 2000.

Walker’s presentation and audit was approved unanimously by Jasper councillors and the mayor.

The audit also includes the mayor’s and councillors salaries, benefits and allowances for the year.

Also, for the second straight year, Councillor Brenda Zinck is the highest paid councillor.

Lettner said this was because Coun. Zinck attended the most meetings and travelled the most. Councillors are paid extra on top of their base salaries for every meeting they attend and kilometre they travel.

She said that a councillor like Rico Damota who operates the De’d Dog Bar and Grill has commitments that Zinck does not have. This frees her up to attend more council related functions. 

The mayor is paid a yearly base salary of $21,168 and councillors receive $10,896.