MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - Provincial policing costs for Mountain View County are projected to top $1.2 million in 2024, according to the county’s annual community budget report released last week.
Issued by the county's corporate services department following the approval of the 2023 budget, the report provides a detailed breakdown of county finances as well as some projections.
The county has budgeted $1,405,000 for provincial policing this year, an increase of $332,500 over 2022. The 2024 total contribution is projected to be $1,200,726.
The amount the county pays for policing under the provincial policing agreement is formulated based on a equal combination of equalization assessment and population as determined by the province of Alberta.
This year’s $40.6 million operating budget also includes increases to the county’s contribution to STARS air ambulance, community services grant programs, as well as to urban partners for the provision of fire, recreation and culture, and other shared services in accordance with the intermunicipal collaboration agreements.
Total revenues collected in 2023 will total $37,052,507, including $31,741,966 from net taxes, $215,050 from sales of goods, $258,000 from sales of services, $671,533 from fees and levies, $302,825 from fines and penalties.
There will also be $2,017,288 from return on investment, $299,750 for rentals and recoveries, and $1,546,095 from government transfers for operating.
Community grant funding in 2023 totals $423,273, including $74,200 for rural community grants, $95,400 for community halls, $47,700 for public transportation, $64,905 for health funding, $13,144 for rural crime reduction initiative, and $51,924 for STARS.
Agriculture, Lands and Park Services funding in 2023 totals $1.55 million, including $501,106 for right of way management, $124,405 fro invasive plant management, and $230,362 for environment.
The county’s projects budget in 2023 includes $1.9 million for re-chipping, $1.2 millions for base stabilization, $1.9 million for re-gravelling, $600,000 for long patching, and $200,000 for subdivision chipping.
“Mountain View County remains in a strong fiscal position and continues to ensure that long-range planning is a high priority for council,” reeve Angela Aalbers said in the report.
“Council has established long-range plans for our county infrastructure and continues to update those plans as the basis for long term financial decisions.”
The complete community budget report is available on the county’s website.
