Olds continues to grow, and as it does, the cost of new infrastructure, such as roads as well as sewer and water services, continues to rise.
The town's strategy and technology officer Larry Wright says now is the time to figure out how to pay for all that.
“How do we get there? Who pays for what so it doesn't become a total tax burden,” Wright said during an interview with the Albertan. “We've got enough burdens on our tax base. So what's the best compromise and how do we do that?”
To answer those questions, Wright sent out information and gave PowerPoint presentations to more than 40 businesses as well as the chamber of commerce, service providers and school boards.
Now he plans to conduct meetings with representatives of those groups, then compile a proposed strategy with a view to getting a plan into budget discussions, which he anticipates will begin this October.
“(I've had) very little feedback and response back. That's why I have to get a little more aggressive and finish it off,” he said.
According to Wright's figures, a total of $75.05 million worth of infrastructure work needed to accommodate future growth in Olds has been identified, but very little of that work has been undertaken so far.
In his PowerPoint presentation, Wright said 14 future water upgrades have been identified at an estimated total cost of $25 million. So far, about $354,400 worth has been built.
Thirteen future sewer improvement projects have been identified, projected to cost a total of $22.75 million. So far, Wright indicated, none have been built.
Twenty future storm sewer improvement projects anticipated to cost a total of $27.3 million have been earmarked. So far, $56,478 worth has been constructed.
Municipalities such as Olds can impose “off-site levies” to help cover the cost for infrastructure.
In his presentation, Wright said to cover those costs, a balance needs to be struck between “utility rates, municipal taxation, provincial education taxation and provincial assessments of industrial equipment.”
“Olds needs to identify policy and procedures to incorporate incremental change in off-site levies, not creating major impact years on (the) development industry and provide stability to (that) industry,” he added.
That's not all.
Wright said planning needs to reflect the impact off-site levies have on other provincial and municipal agencies such as Alberta Agricultural, Trade, Mountain View County, economic development agencies and others.
"How do we get there? Who pays for what so it doesn't become a total tax burden?" LARRY WRIGHT OLDS STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
