Even as Albertans struggle to read between the lines of Premier Alison Redford’s explanation about her government’s financial problems, Rimbey town councillors wait with fingers crossed to learn if expected provincial grants will appear.
“The big unknown for all municipalities in Alberta is what the government is doing,” said Rimbey CAO Tony Goode. “We’re just waiting to see.”
Redford’s Progressive Conservative government is to table its budget March 7 and the premier has indicated Albertans will be dealing with a tough budget, though no tax or fee increases appear to be in the offing.
Goode said the town is waiting for verification that about $600,000 in Municipality Sustainable Initiative funding will be received. They are matching grants.
The CAO said the town has approximately $200,000 carry over from previous provincial grants they have been forced to dip into.
The school requisition and the final bill from Rimoka Housing Foundation are other unknowns the town needs to ascertain before they can finalize their operating budget.
“We have no control over those,” said Melissa Beebe, assistant CAO. Last year the school requisition jumped sharply with a 10-per-cent increase. Rimoka Housing’s bill to the town increased by 25 per cent.
The town carries a debt load of almost $5 million, of which the annual payment is $324,290.
The debts incurred because of funding required for the water reservoir, the swimming pool and the sewage lagoon.
Goode said assessments are expected to increase by $2 to $4 million this year. Once assessments have been determined and the requisitions finalized, a new mill rate can be set. This could be done as early as mid-February.
Last year the municipal portion of the tax bill increased by 2.5 per cent and Goode expects a similar increase this year. “If there is an increase, it will be small.”
Budget meetings began last week.
Goode reminds seniors to apply for a school tax rebate. These rebates cover the difference between the school tax charged in 2009 from the current charge.
Beebe said all seniors qualify for the rebate and forms are available at the town office.
