BONNYVILLE – Tax increases and the deferral of projects were presented as potential options to balance the Town of Bonnyville’s 2025 operational and capital budget at a recent open house.
The Town’s Interim CAO Renee Stoyles gave a budget presentation to both in-person and online attendees who were then given the opportunity to offer feedback.
Stoyles explained that there is an operating budget deficit of $11.8 million, and the Municipal Government Act prohibits municipalities from running a deficit for more than three years.
Options to balance the operational budget included a two per cent property tax increase, reducing requests from organizations to 2024 amounts, deferring the hiring of some positions, funding the remainder of the deficit from reserves, or balancing the budget with an additional tax increase (9.89 per cent).
Attendee Dustin Appleby suggested a larger tax increase over a shorter period of time.
“As a citizen, I would prefer paying a little more over the course of a few years rather than two per cent over the course of many years,” said Appleby.
Stoyles confirmed it as a possibility, and said all options will be considered in the months leading up to the final budget.
“We will take a look at everything and take everything into consideration in the next week before we pass the interim [budget], as well as the next two or three months before we pass the final [budget],” said Stoyles.
Options to balance the capital budget deficit of $17.2 million include deferring the creation of a Facilities Master Plan, reducing costs associated with implementation of the new brand, installation of traffic lights, Highway 28 trees and all rehab work except for 49th street, the 50th Ave intersection improvements and planning study, the 46th Street left hand turn markings, sewer upgrades, storm trunk upgrades, the relocation of solar lights and paving the soccer field parking lot, Curling Club Reserve Transfer for building upgrades, the library expansion, and reducing costs for the FCSS building.
The remaining $722,304 deficit in the capital budget could be funded from the General Capital Reserve.
Attendance at the open house was sparse, and no further feedback was offered by the public.
