Morinville residents can expect a 3.5 per cent property tax increase next year based on the first draft of the 2011 budget.
The budget was presented to councillors and the public last week at two open house meetings that gave councillors an opportunity to make their own changes and additions before the budget goes to first reading.
The 3.5 per cent tax increase will add about $80 to the average home in Morinville valued at $300,000 and comes with a two-per cent increase to utility rates.
The utility rate increase will add about $22 per year to the average household bill.
Mayor Lloyd Bertschi said he is pleased with the budget, saying it seems as though administration took the time to examine all of the town's spending.
"I think overall we have a great budget. The administration did a good job of re-driving a bunch of it and going line by line to clean out some of the spending."
Coun. Gordon Boddez said the increase falls in line with what the whole area is seeing.
"I think that increase is reasonable. I think it is going to be reasonable in the region from what we are observing."
Coun. Nicole Boutestein said she would like to see a lower increase for town residents, around 2.5 per cent, but she also has many questions so she can properly understand the budget.
"It is a whole big learning curve and my biggest thing is I want to be able to justify that 3.5 per cent increase."
The proposed budget will add about eight new staff to the town as well as complete several major capital projects, finish several long term planning documents and fund the new cultural centre.
Boutestein said the new positions have her particularly concerned because they will become a permanent expense for the town.
They included a new assistant chief administrator, a communications and marketing co-ordinator and an economic development co-ordinator.
Bertschi said he is less worried about those positions because the town is growing and new revenue along with lower costs will save the town the necessary funds.
"We have had over 100 housing starts this year so we know we will have some growth in revenue next year."
The direction for a 3.5 per cent increase was based on direction the previous council gave administration in August when the budget process began.
Changes made
The original draft council was presented with, achieved that target but with a substantial deficit. Councillors were able to remove that deficit and move the town into surplus during deliberations last week.
One of the first items to go was $315,000 from the capital budget that was to be used to modify the existing splash park so that the water would be filtered and re-circulated.
Currently the water simply goes down the drain. It has been proposed for several years that the change be completed.
Council also delayed plans to renovate the town hall building, which was scheduled for next year.
When the cultural centre is complete, the town's community services department will move out of town hall. The plan is to move some town services to the second level before expanding the library on the bottom floor.
Council also moved to remove $100,000 in funding for a technology review.
Those changes amount to an $182,000 surplus next year, which councillors have not yet decided how to spend.
Boddez said he would like to see those savings moved into the town's reserves.
Among the list of items that remain in the budget are several small projects connected to the cultural centre, including paving around the area and relocating power lines.
The town will also put up an electronic message sign at the cultural centre and spent $26,000 on a centennial fountain for Baptiste Park.
The town will spend $60,000 for two solar powered aerators, one for the fish and game pond and another on Sunshine Lake. The original budget only called for one, but councillors moved to add another.
The aerators are meant to prevent algae from building up on those ponds by circulating water, while at the same time creating a fountain effect.
Council was expected to give the budget first reading last night and further readings will take place either on Dec. 14 or Dec. 21.
