SUNDRE — Council heard potential financial fears prompted by the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic have not yet materialized for the municipality.
Chris Albert, director of corporate services, told council during teleconference meeting when presenting a report on third quarter statements earlier this month, that “the town is in an extremely good cash position. We have not seen a wholesale reduction in cash flows that we might have been a little bit concerned about when COVID started. So, that is extremely good news.”
Recapping a couple of other highlights from the quarterly report, he said the municipality is still waiting on stimulus funding from the provincial government before getting started on two projects recently approved by council.
“The last two projects on the (capital project) list — Centre Street and the first phase of the camping (development) — those are of course approved by council pending the MSP (Municipal Stimulus Program) funding. We have not heard back on that funding as of yet,” he said.
“As those funds come in, then we will start those projects," he said.
With regards to the utility life cycling restricted surplus, Albert said a reduction there includes $2 million allocated for the sewage lagoon project.
Additionally, he said some increased costs pertaining to solid waste were the result of COVID, as there tended to be more waste and subsequently pickups, while facilities also were not taking recycling for a time.
“Those recycling days were also unfortunately going to landfill, which cost us extra," he said.
Council carried a motion to accept his report for information.