The MD of Bonnyville approved their interim 2019 operating budget at their regular council meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 12.
The interim balanced budget is $49-million.
Administration based the numbers presented on the year-to-date figures from 2018. The only capital included was for public safety, to allow the office to function before council passes their final budget in the new year.
"There will be no capital in this initial interim budget, because council hasn't had a chance to do any budget deliberations yet," noted CAO Luc Mercier, adding the capital purchase included was to allow safety vehicles to be ordered because the process may take a while.
The interim budget allows council some time before their deliberations begin in the new year, with their first meeting scheduled for Jan. 9, 2019 at 11 a.m.
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MD assisting Cold Lake Snowmobile Club
Council approved providing $17,000 for the purchase of an ATV to pull a groomer for the Cold Lake Snowmobile Club, which will assist them with maintaining their trail systems located within the MD of Bonnyville.
"Currently, they use their own machines (to maintain). Obviously, that causes a lot of wear and tear," explained director of parks, recreation, and culture Chris McCord.
The municipality will cover half of the cost, while the club has relied on fundraising and club membership fees to pay the remainder.
Lessard Bridge tender awarded
The tender for Lessard Bridge was awarded to Formula Alberta Ltd. for the bid of $464,360.
Coun. Dana Swigart noted the tender was significantly lower than the other bids, and questioned if that was a concern.
Mercier said administration didn't have any qualms with the bid, though council could retender if they wanted to go in a different direction.
Director of transportation and utilities Darcy Zelisko explained, "They do own a lot of their own equipment. A lot of the costs that were indicated in the other ones were crane rentals that had to be mobilized, whereas Formula (Alberta Ltd.) actually owns their own. They reduced their rate on that for us."
After further discussion, council decided to go ahead and award Formula Alberta Ltd. the tender.
MD approves IDP
After holding a public hearing, council passed two bylaws regarding their Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP).
According to the modernization of the Municipal Government Act, municipalities that share boundaries are required to have a IDP in place no later than April 2020.
Both bylaws will allow the MD and their partners to examine the current and future land uses, environmental considerations, transportation networks, utility and infrastructure servicing, community services infrastructure, and recreation and tourism assets.
The IDPs foster intermunicipal approach to planning issues on the areas where municipalities share, and to establish an agreed upon development vision for the area.
No one stood up during the public hearing to voice their comments for or against the bylaws.
