Town of Taber reviews 2023 operational budget

Poll

Should the federal government be allowed to deal directly with municipalities without interference?

• YES
• NO

View Results

 Loading ...

Recent News →

• Provincial budget highlights identified: MLA Hunter
• Provincial grant solves “unfair” funding anomaly for RCMP-contracted policing in Coaldale
• Jets return to southern Alberta for matchup against the Okotoks Dawgs
• Taber WHAM finishes in bronze medal position
• Horizon School Board meeting brief from March 25

Recent Blog Posts →

• From the Archives of Western Newspapers
• From the Archives of Western Newspapers
• From the Archives of Western Newspapers
• From the Archives of Western Newspapers
• From the Archives of Western Newspapers

By Kenyon Stronski
Taber Times
reporter@tabertimes.com

Oct. 24 marked the date for the Town of Taber to hold its organizational meeting and go over its operating budget for 2023.

As written in the agenda, “Tonight’s discussion is being presented based on each department’s anticipated level of service and operational changes identified by the department managers.”

The discretionary fund for council has been left at $25,000 and utility increases that have been discussed with council previously have been incorporated into the proposed budget.

Also added is the repayment of the long-term debt for the lagoon solar project.

The top four departments in terms of expenditures are, in order from top to bottom, Public Works, Police, Recreation, and the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Public works is earmarked to receive around 20.24 per cent of the operating budget for 2023, just under $4.5 million. The Taber Police Service will have around 15.68 per cent of the operating budget for just under $3.5 million, followed extremely closely by Recreation is marked for 15.52 per cent of the budget. Wastewater takes a deep dive and is marked for 7.16 per cent of the budget, around $1.5 million with all other departments falling under seven per cent.

According to the agenda, Engineering and Public Works are seeing a 4.56 per cent increase largely due to salary increases to offset the inflated cost of living as well as new staff being brought on board. This increase in the budget also accounts for increases in fuel costs, equipment parts, asphalt patching and overall supply chain increases.

To read the full story, pick up a Taber Times issue or subscribe to an ePaper digital subscription! You can sign up for digital or traditional subscriptions on tabertimes.com by clicking subscribe under ePaper on the home page.

Get More The Taber Times →