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Council proposes tax increase

The Town of Sundre is proposing a 2013 operating budget that includes a tax increase of 4.12 per cent, which would add an estimated $75 annual increase to the average homeowner's tax bill, in comparison to 2012.

The Town of Sundre is proposing a 2013 operating budget that includes a tax increase of 4.12 per cent, which would add an estimated $75 annual increase to the average homeowner's tax bill, in comparison to 2012.

Proposed budget information was presented at an open house hosted by the town at council chambers last Thursday evening.

The total operating budget proposed for 2013 is $7,792,467 in comparison to last year's $7,400,998.

All service levels to the public are being maintained and setting money aside for reserves is the ìbiggest changeî said Town of Sundre CAO Dean Pickering. The town is funding $225,000 to reserves in the budget.

One of the biggest items which the town is setting money aside for is the building of a new arena due to inefficiencies, he said.

ìWe basically start our hockey season about three weeks to a month after places like Caroline and Olds do because our floor in our arena is outdated,î said Pickering.

Funds are also being reserved to upgrade the community centre, Greenwood Campground and for a new library.

ìWe're buying a number of new garbage cans, signage for our walking trails and there is a bunch of other initiatives that are being done,î added Pickering.

The town's goal is to put more emphasis on economic development, which is also reflected in the proposed budget, he said.

A senior economic development officer is needed and being budgeted for.

ìThe primary focus is to grow the subdivisions and to grow the commercial new business,î he said. ìWe do have a new Tim Hortons, we have the new hotel coming on and there is a number of new initiatives that are in place to attract new business.î

The 2013 capital budget, amounting to $3,410,934, was passed at the council meeting on Dec. 17. The money will be spent on community services, infrastructure and protective services projects.

Councillors were expected to discuss the proposed operating budget during Monday night's governance meeting, and intend to approve it during the council meeting on Jan. 21.

The town is running under the interim budget until then, which is the operating budget from 2012.

The public has been consulted from the beginning of the budget process by participating in surveys to say the least, said Pickering.

However, only one member of the public was present at the open house last Thursday evening, which Pickering said was a result of the poor weather.

Despite the turnout at the open house, community engagement is a priority for the town in 2013, he said. To fulfil this, there will be various open houses held to gain feedback from the public on a few important topics that will be focused on.

This includes the upcoming Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the Municipal Development Plan ñ which was initially presented at the open house last Thursday evening ñ as well as several others, said Pickering.

ìSince I've got here I think we've probably doubled or tripled the amount of communication we've had with the public over previous years,î he said.

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