Skip to content

Town approves interim budget

Town Hall - Winter
File Photo

After weighing all of their options, the Town of Bonnyville passed a balanced 2020 interim budget.

The capital and operational budgets were approved during council's regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10, after administration presented alternatives for addressing the deficits when they reviewed the public feedback from the Dec. 3 open house.

Assistant CAO Bill Rogers outlined four options for balancing the $21.64-million operational budget, which previously had a deficit of just over $525,000.

The municipality opted to transfer the shortfall from operating reserves.

Included in the operational budget is a 2.1 per cent increase in utility fees for water, sewage, and waste.

When it comes to the $6.25-million capital budget, administration suggested council defer all of the projects slated for 2020 until more is known regarding the ID 349 grant funding. The decision eliminates the $4.66-million deficit, and equals a surplus of just over $76,000.

Coun. Brian McEvoy suggested council revisit the topic and discuss what they can do further before the final budgets are passed in spring 2020.

“We’re doing this as we do every year to satisfy the Municipal Government Act (MGA). It’s always adjusted before we have the final budget in April,” he noted.

Check back for more.

Recognizing a local family business

Brosseau's Department Store has been operating in Bonnyville for over 90 years, and the town wants to recognize the business and family for everything they've done.

Council has agreed to task the naming committee with deciding the best way to offer the town's appreciation for everything the Brosseau’s have done for Bonnyville.

Mayor Gene Sobolewski brought up the suggestion after being approached by a resident while shopping at the department store earlier this month.

“It’s almost unheard of to have a business as a fixture for that long, but also in recognition of the contributions in the community,” he explained. “They were a fixture in the community in terms of what they’ve done.”

While council couldn’t decide on the best way to acknowledge the family and business, they all agreed something should be done.

Check back for more.

C2 receiving additional funds from reserves

Council voted in favour of releasing additional funds from the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre's reserves to cover work done on the building.

The request came to the town after the C2 was denied for the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP), which would have seen them receiving around $125,000.

“When we approve their capital budget, we just approve $100,000 and cap it,” detailed CAO Mark Power. "What the C2 is looking for is an additional $50,000 to cover a grant they didn't end up getting, and they don't need the full $125,000 because they under spent on some of the projects."

The money would go toward renovation projects on the VIP suite, R.J. Lalonde Arena, and Agriplex.

The town's portion came in at $50,000, and the C2 has asked for the remaining $50,000 to be released by the MD.

Council gives back

The town will once again be providing an item for the Bonnyville Healthcare Foundation’s hospital gala silent auction.

Along with buying two tables at a cost of $2,000, the municipality will be donating a barbecue for up to 10 people.

Robynne Henry, Bonnyville Nouvelle

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks