If approved by council, the municipality’s draft operating budget would result in a 4.37 per cent tax increase for 2015, as well as a 19.71 per cent increase to the town’s water rates.
For a house assessed at $750,000 that increase would equate to an additional $87.64 in taxes. Commercial properties assessed at $6 million would see a $3,572 increase.
According to Alice Lettner, director of finance, administration approached the 2015 budget with council’s new Strategic Priorities in mind and put the focus on addressing the town’s aging infrastructure.
Council heard from the director of each of the municipality’s departments last week, during its public budget meetings. Outlined below is a brief overview of the increases for each department and the justifications provided by each municipal director.
Culture and Recreation department
2015 proposed budget: $1.753 million
2014 approved budget: $1.628 million
As the budget stands, the culture and recreation department is requesting the largest increase out of all of the departments: 7.71 per cent.
That increase is comprised of a $167,500 transfer to restricted funds, in order to undertake some major repairs to the activity centre and arena, as well as purchase a new Zamboni, salary increases and an asset management plan for the activity centre, outlining and scheduling future repairs.
Without that transfer to reserves, the municipal tax increase would be about two per cent, instead of 4.37 per cent, but according to Yvonne McNabb, director of culture and recreation, that $167,500 is desperately needed.
“Things are breaking down around us, especially in this building and the aquatic centre,” she said, referring to the activity centre.
The repairs include everything from installing new automatic door openers to replacing the old flooring in the daycare, the replacement of roof top units and heat exchangers in the activity centre, and the purchase of a water filtration system for the arena ice making system.
According to McNabb, these are repairs that need to be made now in order to keep the facilities operable. But there are many more repairs that will also have to take place in the coming years and that’s why the department wants an asset management plan to guide the work, ensuring each project works together.
As well as the proposed budget increase, there will be a four per cent increase to fees for the gym, aquatic centre, arena, multi-purpose hall and other rentals.
McNabb noted that the annual increase to user fees might need to be reviewed in coming years, in order to attract more people to the town’s facilities.
Operations department
2015 proposed budget: $1.916 million
2014 approved budget: $1.846 million
Last year, Bruce Thompson, Jasper’s director of operations, presented his budget after being in the community for only 17 days.
“I’ve learned a lot about our infrastructure since then,” he said with a grin, Dec. 16.
And the reality is, much of the town’s infrastructure, whether its water and sewer lines or its facilities, is reaching the end of its useful life, explained Thompson, who’s proposed 2015 budget asks for a 3.79 per cent increase over last year’s.
“This budget is intended to meet the immediate need to increase maintenance on our aging infrastructure,” he said, noting that the increase will help to pay for an increase in the cost of lighting and provide consulting services for traffic and road maintenance work.
And the 19.71 per cent increase to the town’s water rates will allow for a full time water/waste water operator to be hired, as well as additional maintenance work on the community’s water and sewer lines, which are in dire need of replacement.
Community and Family Services department
2015 proposed budget: $391,263
2014 approved budget: $378,993
Community and Family Services (CFS) is primarily funded by grants. Of its almost $1.9 million budget, the municipal request is only $391,263 for 2015.
Over last year’s budget, the department is requesting a 3.24 per cent increase to cover changes in wages—as term positions come to an end and permanent positions are filled—and to research what it would take to set up a community foundation.
“It’s been on the wish list for a long time to do some of the leg work to establish a community foundation for the community of Jasper,” explained Kathleen Waxer, director of CFS.
“We have a number of not-for-profit organizations, for example the museum, the community team, HIV West Yellowhead, who struggle for funds and it seems to me there are people in the community who are passionate about social issues, there are people who are passionate about history and it seems we’re missing the opportunity for people to do planned giving toward the things they’re passionate about in their own community.
“I think it would be valuable to do the background work ... so that the work is in place so that a [community foundation] can be established.”
CFS is requesting $10,000 to do that research.
Administration and Finance department
2015 proposed budget: $1.85 million
2014 approved budget: $1.773 million
The administration and finance department is requesting a 4.35 per cent increase in its budget in order to hire an additional staff member to ensure seamless succession when senior staff members retire in the next couple of years.
As well as cross-training and shadowing senior staff, the employee will also provide support to the administration department, updating bylaws, policies and procedures.
“I looked at my staff the other day and realized my youngest staff member is 44,” explained Alice Lettner, director of finance. “There’s a lot of collective wisdom in our department, unfortunately a lot of that collective wisdom is going to be departing in the next few years. So we really do need to develop some depth to cover those departures of staff.”
The position would begin in May, giving the new staff member six to eight months to train before the senior staff member retires.
The administration department is also requesting funds for the redevelopment of the municipal website, as the current one isn’t compatible with today’s technologies and cannot be properly viewed on mobile devices.
Protective Services department
2015 proposed budget: $680,218
2014 approved budget: $679,119
Protective services is proposing an increase of .16 per cent. The department, which is comprised of the fire department, bylaw department, emergency management and the municipality’s health and safety program, was able to keep its increase low by divvying out the cost of Parks Canada’s dispatch service, with the operations department picking up 50 per cent of the cost.
In the past the service was covered entirely by protective services, despite the fact that the operations department frequently uses the service, as well.
Increases to the budget are for a facility assessment for the Emergency Services Building. Repairs have been ongoing in the building since the fall, but after mold was found, it was determined that a full assessment of the building would help to determine what other repairs and maintenance work needs to be done.
The assessment is slated to take place in 2015 and could result in increased costs, if major repairs are necessary.
“There will be some capital funds set aside for that,” said Fire Chief Greg Van Tighem.
Council will continue its budget deliberations in the new year, either approving the budget at the Jan. 6 meeting or approving an interim budget to allow for further discussions.
The proposed budget is available for the public on the municipal website (www.jasper-alberta.com).
Nicole Veerman
[email protected]
