A proposed five-year financial plan that would cost residents less than $13 per month is on table
City of Armstrong residents will get their chance to ask questions about the city’s proposed five-year financial plan.
Council will hold its next regular meeting Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 5 p.m. in council chambers to potentially give first three readings to the plan.
Residents will have a five-minute opportunity to speak on initiatives they’d like addressed in the 2024-28 plan.
The impact of the financial plan on the averaged assessed residential property is an increase in property taxes of $144.49, or $12.04 per month.
“Initiatives include, but aren’t limited to: capital projects, changes to service levels, addition or removal of current services, etc.,” wrote city chief financial officer Janene Felker in a memo to mayor and council.
“Members of the public who wish to speak are asked to keep their presentation respectful and under five minutes to ensure other people wishing to speak have an opportunity. Council and staff are in attendance to listen to presentations.”
The public has been able to provide feedback through email and written submissions, up until 12 p.m. Feb. 20. Felker said those comments will be shared with council at the meeting.
Staff is recommending council give three readings to the plan that it says “achieves as many strategic actions as possible,” in line with Armstrong’s Strategic Plan. “Helping council achieve their strategic goals ensures the city moves forward in a positive direction.”
The proposed budget includes the continuation of all municipal services, including the likes of road/sidewalk maintenance, snow management, treated water and wastewater, parks, recreation, trails, greenspace, fire, emergency services and RCMP.
The 18 municipal services are provided by up to 96 employment positions (some of those are shared with the Township of Spallumcheen through Joint Commissions), seven elected officials, and various subcontractors.
The city has three different taxation levies that have different purposes:
• General Levy This supports the city’s day-to-day operations except water and sewer, and allows for consistent contributions to the city’s many reserves. The proposed 2024 budget includes a four per cent increase in this levy, which means an extra $107,000 in taxation funds. The total amount this levy will generate in 2024 is nearly $2.8 million;
• RCMP Levy This levy sees an annual increase for $25,000 to help raise funds for the costs associated with the RCMP contract. This levy has been in place for many years to help smooth the taxation impact on residents as the city went over the 5,000 population marker and became responsible for more of the contract cost. This levy will generate $735,180 in 2024 and the contract cost is $852,000. The deficit is covered by the city’s RCMP reserve;
• Infrastructure Levy First introduced in 2020 to help pay for the costs associated with replacing the city’s aging infrastructure. The 2024 plan calls for a 4.8 per cent hike to the levy, which will generate $352,580 and align with the city’s asset management plan.
The budget reflects numerous projects that are being funded by grants. The 2024 budget includes $1,323,950 in grants already received/ awarded and $224,000 not yet awarded.
“These grants have helped the city continue to move forward, plan for the future, and meet changes in legislation without having to increase our tax request,” said Felker.
The five-year capital budget that is being proposed sees various equipment purchases, complete infrastructure projects, improvements to water and sewer mains for a total of $46,425,848. These projects are funded by reserves, grants, and debt.
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