Budget Report
2016
Moving Forward www.whitecourt.ca
50km
of trails in town for walking, biking, etc. Region offers
420km 4,420
of groomed snowmobile trails
private dwellings
$366,000
Town of Whitecourt 2016 Operating and Capital Budget totals
Average assessed value of a single family home 2015 development permits valued at almost
$56.6 million Annual average daily traffic on Highway 43 through Whitecourt
$66 million
24,940 vehicles 10,574 people
According to the most recent census: • Recorded 5% annual growth rate between 2011 and 2013 • 53% Male; 47% Female • Average Age: 32 • 74% of population between 15 and 64 years (considered “labour force”) • Whitecourt services a primary trading area of over 50,000 people
The Town of Whitecourt recognizes the ongoing support of the Government of Canada and Province of Alberta through the following grant programs: Federal Gas Tax Fund; Basic Municipal Transportation Grant; Municipal Sustainability Initiative; Alberta Disaster Recovery Program; Alberta Community Partnership Program; FireSmart Community Grant Program; Fire Services and Emergency Preparedness Program; AESRD Mountain Pine Beetle Municipal Grant Funding Program; Alberta FCSS Grant Program; Alberta Community Resilience Program; Community Facility Enhancement Program; Building Canada Fund; Alberta GreenTrip.
www.whitecourt.ca
800
Offer over fitness/ recreation/wellness programs to residents
Council & Administration
Back Row: Councillor Derek Schlosser, Mayor Maryann Chichak, Councillor Norm Hodgson. Front Row: Councillor Bill McAree, Councillor Paul Chauvet, Councillor Darlene Chartrand, Councillor Eris Moncur.
Mayor’s Message: It goes without saying that first and foremost on everyone’s mind right now is the economy. It’s been a year of ups and downs throughout our province and across Canada, and we know that local businesses and households have been impacted by this volatility. It’s important that residents are aware that despite this instability, there are exciting things underway that will grow our community, and investment interest in our region continues to be strong. The priorities and projects included in the 2016 Budget support this fact, and together we will continue to move forward. During budget preparations, our residents remained the top priority. We know that people are feeling the pinch from low oil prices – food and other household costs have increased, and at the same time incomes have been affected. In recognition of this, we made it a priority to not burden taxpayers with a higher municipal tax payment at a time when every penny counts. I must remind you that the provision of government
Whitecourt Strategic Goals:
services and programs has also been impacted by inflation and other recent economic factors. Preparation of this budget involved balancing our need to increase efficiencies while at the same time meet demands for enhanced programs and services. I believe this budget has found that balance, and that the 2016 budget will minimize the tax impact on households while maintaining the quality of life we are accustomed to. This budget was guided by public input, and the Town of Whitecourt worked to actively engage the public throughout the budget process. Council is reviewing options to further expand public consultation activities in order to gain feedback for 2017 and future budgets. Look for promotions during the summer of 2016 explaining how you can be more involved. This will be an exciting year for Whitecourt, and together we will continue to move forward.
Maryann Chichak, Mayor
• Enhance recreational opportunities; • Enhance cultural and arts opportunities; • Encourage and aid in the progress of economic development; • Enhance services to citizens that foster their social and physical well-being; • Continue to provide ongoing good governance to enhance the quality of life for all residents.
Vision:
To create a vibrant community with endless opportunities where all aspects of life are enjoyed. www.whitecourt.ca
The 2016 Budget, which totals $56,611,049, includes many exciting projects and services that will enhance the community’s quality of life. With current economics in our province and throughout the country, Town Council has maintained municipal levies as a result of a 0% increase in the 2016 Budget. For every dollar of taxation: • $0.69 is allocated to municipal operations/projects • $0.29 is allocated to schools • $0.02 is allocated to the Lac Ste. Anne Foundation for seniors housing
There are three parts to the Property Tax:
• General Municipal Tax Rate – This rate is set by the Town of Whitecourt and this portion of your property taxes is used to fund municipal services and programs specifically for Whitecourt residents. • Education Requisition – This rate is set by the Alberta School Foundation on behalf of the Alberta Government and this portion of your property taxes is directed to the Province to provide educational services. • Seniors Requisition – This rate is set by the Seniors Foundation and this portion of your property taxes is directed to operate local seniors housing facilities. Tax Rates are calculated using the following formula: Assessed Property Value x Total Tax Rate/1000 = Total Property Tax
You can expect to receive your Town of Whitecourt Tax Notices in mid-May. If you have questions about your tax notice, feel free to contact the Tax Clerk at 780-778-2273.
Property Taxes are due Monday, July 4, 2016.
Parks & Recreation 6.46%
2016 TAX RATES
Water Operation 8.53%
Sanitary Sewer Operation 2.08%
General Government 10.65% Other General Services 1.18%
Residential Non-Residential
Municipal Tax Rate
4.9190
8.2742
Education Requisition
2.4493
3.5017
Seniors Requisition
0.2086
0.2086
Total Property Tax Rate
7.5769
11.9845
Police Protection 0.22%
If your house is assessed at $366,000 you can expect to pay: $1,800.35
General Municipal Taxes
Education Requisition
$896.44
Fire Protection 6.22%
2016 CAPITAL budget $16,821,957
Common Services 11.10% Road Transportation 0.71%
$76.35 Seniors Requisition
$2,773.14
2016 Property Tax Total Land Sales/ Planning & Development 41.65%
www.whitecourt.ca
F.C.S.S., Seniors & Public Transit 11.20%
Taxation & Assessment Library $0.03
Legislative $0.03 General Government $0.13
Parks & Recreation $0.27
Other General Services $0.06
where your TAX DOLLAR GOES $12,513,624
Economic Development $0.03
Tax Dollar Allocation to each Department
Police Protection $0.09
not including School and Foundation Requistions
Planning and Development $0.04
Fire Protection $0.06
F.C.S.S., Seniors & Public Transit $0.03
Roads/Cemetery/ Storm Sewers $0.16
Sanitary Sewer Operation 4.85%
General Government 5.95%
Other General Services 2.34%
Common Services $0.07
Police & Bylaw 11.08%
Fire Protection 3.85%
Water Operation 6.33%
COMPARATIVE MUNICIPAL tax RATES
Library 1.77%
Residential Non-Residential
Disaster 14.15%
2016 operating budget $39,789,092
Parks & Recreation 20.26%
By-law Enforcement/ Animal Control $0.02
16 14 12 10 8 6 4
Common Services 2.44%
2
Planning & Development/ Land Sales 5.71%
F.C.S.S. Seniors & Public Transit 3.60%
Environmental Health Services 3.82%
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Roads/Cemetery/ Storm Sewers 10.51%
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Economic Development/ Housing 3.34%
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Note: 2015 Tax Rates are shown for all municipalities except Whitecourt which is 2016.
12 10 8 6 4 2
www.whitecourt.ca
Infrastructure Ath abasca Flats Eas t Development Project
Construction on Athabasca Flats East The core infrastructure in any community often goes unnoticed everyday – but it is essential to our community’s continued success and growth. You utilize municipal infrastructure every time you drive to work, run your kitchen tap, flush your toilet, or drop off yard waste at the Transfer Station. To meet our growing infrastructure demands, $20.5 million has been budgeted in the 2016 budget towards maintaining our investment in the community and ensuring the services and infrastructure you depend on are reliable, safe, and efficient.
2016 Priorities and Projects: Capital
• Athabasca Flats East – detailed engineering continues with construction of associated road infrastructure $5,869,216 • Engineering for Water System Upgrade Project – second utility crossing to west Whitecourt; dedicated supply main and pump upgrades; pressure reducing station, and other system upgrades $672,000 • Street Improvement Program – overlay; west Whitecourt drainage improvements; streets, stairs, lighting and sidewalk repairs $1,322,185 • Installation of water/sewer services at Graham Acres concession $50,000 • Construction of a new sand/salt storage facility $400,000
Operating
• Completion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Odour Mitigation Master Plan by the Fall of 2016 • Review of residential waste and recycling services to identify opportunities to divert waste from landfill and increase amount of materials recycled locally • Review and implement new utilities bylaw • Designs Standards Review
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www.whitecourt.ca
In response to po pulation growth, fast-tracked comm projects (the new unity capital Living Waters Cath olic high school pr for developable re oject), and deman sidential land, the d Town of Whitecou infrastructure serv rt is expanding ices to a quarter se ction parcel of lan area of Whitecourt d in the north-east identified as Atha basca Flats East. Completed in 2015 : • Trunk sewer m ains and sanitary force main • Water lines • Storm mains Underway for 2016 : • A lift station (th at will increase ca pacity in the area to serve future and is designed developments) • Arterial roads (including earthwo rks, sidewalk, curb ing, landscapes, et c.) The Athabasca Fla ts East area is for ecasted to house and 6,000 people, between 4,000 and will accommod ate a variety of re (low, medium and sidential uses high density), as we ll as provide for co institutional deve mmercial and lopment. The Town of Whitec ourt is working wi th community partn development of a ers on the Community Learnin g Campus, which include schools, po is proposed to st-secondary traini ng opportunities, centre, and recre arts and culture ational facilities (i.e . sportsfields).
• $0.23 of each tax dollar is allocated to this function. • Infrastructure Services maintains 99km of road, 50km of paved trail, and an additional 50km of pathways and unpaved trails. • The Water Treatment Plant’s capacity is 18 million litres per day. • Whitecourt, on average, consumes 5 million litres of water per day. In the summer months, consumption can reach up to 7 million litres of water per day.
Economic Development & Planning
Party in the Park Whitecourt has experienced exceptional growth over the last several years, and interest in our community continues to grow. With this growth come many exciting economic opportunities – as well challenges. We have set an ambitious plan aimed to support existing business while we continue to attract new investment; enhance education and job training opportunities; and assist local business/industry to attract and retain skilled labourers.
2016 Priorities and Projects:
Vitalizat
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• • • • • • • • • • •
Downtown and Highway Revitalization – complete detailed design, and implement 2016 quick wins which include construction of the Highway 32 entrance sign and installation of new banners Offsite Levies Bylaw review Downtown parking study Design standards review Quality Management Plan review – scope and administration of the fire code and building code Economic Development Strategy Continued involvement and participation on the Business Support Network, Youth Advisory Career Committee Continue to assist and support local events and initiatives (i.e. Trailblazers Poker Rally, Career Fairs, Chamber of Commerce hosted events) Rebrand Whitecourt Woodlands Tourism (formally known as the Joint Economic Development and Tourism Committee) Business Visitation Program launch Continuation of the Tourism Enhancement, Tourism Product Development, Community Business Beautification, and Vitalization Grant Programs
• $0.07 of each tax dollar is allocated to this function. • The value of development permits issued in 2015 was $65.9 million. • There were 82 new lots registered in 2015; up 42% from 2014. • Guinness Book of World Records for Snowmobile Parade (February 2015) • Alex Metcalfe Award from Economic Developers of Alberta for creation of the Business Support Network (April 2015) • Economic Developers Alberta Award in the “Business Retention and Expansion” category for creation of the Business Support Network (April 2015)
www.whitecourt.ca
FireSmart
Christopher King photo
Community Safety
A high quality of life is created when a community is inclusive, healthy, and safe. As Whitecourt continues to grow and develop, it was timely to provide a greater emphasis on community safety and emergency services. In 2015, all functions relating to protective services were grouped together to provide an integrated approach to protecting the community through the creation of the Community Safety Department. Members of our local RCMP detachment, Whitecourt Fire Department, and Bylaw Enforcement work together to continue to provide high quality and innovative services to the citizens of Whitecourt.
2016 Priorities and Projects: Capital
Operating
• Continue fire prevention and education • Continuation of FireSmart Program with forest and wildland fire hazard areas throughout Town. With funding support from the Province of Alberta, Whitecourt will be the first community in the province to employ a summer crew to complete small area FireSmart work on Town and Crown property. • Crime Prevention Programming including bike rodeos, kindergarten tours, bullying prevention, etc.
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• River Erosion Control Project – Whitecourt will continue to work with the Province, Woodlands County, and industry for the design and construction of bank erosion protection along the Athabasca River. $5,534,781 • Purchase of a new heavy rescue truck $913,453
you
know
• $0.17 of each tax dollar is allocated to this function. • The Whitecourt Fire Department consists of 3 full time employees plus 40 volunteers. • Whitecourt’s Fire Department responded to 322 emergency calls in 2015. • The Whitecourt RCMP municipal detachment dealt with over 6,300 files/tickets in 2015. • Whitecourt’s RCMP detachment employs 1 Staff Sergeant, 16 Members, 4 Municipal Support Clerks, and 1 Crime Prevention Coordinator. • FireSmart Community Protection Achievement Award (December 2015)
Community Support Services
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• $0.03 of each tax dollar is allocated to this function. • There are 16 employees working in Community Support Services. • The Whitecourt Food Bank served 1,313 people in 2015. • 1,026 children attended Parent Link & Early Childhood Development programs in 2015. • 102 people participated in the Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Transportation Program in 2015.
2016 Enha
ncement G
rant Cheq
ue Presen
tation
One’s health goes beyond just a physical state – it includes your social and mental wellbeing as well. Services and programs offered within our community contribute and support the health of all members of your family. Whether it’s providing transportation to and from appointments, hosting wellness information sessions, or offering events that allow you to socialize with friends – we are committed to building a healthy community.
2016 Priorities and Projects:
• Continue to operate Whitecourt Transit at existing service levels, and invest in capital projects to enhance the program in the long term with the assistance of the Province’s GreenTRIP Grant Program • Continuation of the Family & Community Support Services Grant Program • Continue to manage the contract with the Boys & Girls Club to provide youth development services • Enhancement of seniors programming and support • Support the Youth Advisory Committee which acts as a liaison between Town Council and Whitecourt youth to ensure needs of this demographic are met. This year the Committee was expanded to 12 members.
www.whitecourt.ca
s d n u o r g Play
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Arts in the Park
www.whitecourt.ca
Canada Day
Recreation, Parks and Culture High quality recreation facilities are essential to making communities great places to live – and invest in. Not only do they provide opportunities to residents, but they also drive growth and tourism to the area. We want Whitecourt to be a leader and embrace active, culturally enriched lives. The Town of Whitecourt will continue to invest in and research recreational opportunities, and provide leadership to cultural development within our community.
2016 Priorities and Projects: Capital
• Implementation of a trail sign project (new signs for trails and staging areas) $44,000 • Scott Safety Centre enhancements include Zamboni replacement $150,000 • Rotary Park – Construction of a new washroom/change room building $500,000
Operating
• Allan & Jean Millar Centre budget highlights: o Additional equipment will be added to the coves around the Rotary Running Track to create a track circuit o Replacement of cardio equipment in the A.S.A.P. Heating & Well Servicing Fitness Centre o Additional dumbbells and racks in the A.S.A.P. Heating & Well Servicing Fitness Centre • Continue to pursue community partnerships in regards to the proposed arts & culture facility and assess operational business plan • Continue to support the Whitecourt Woodlands Performing Arts Society • Continued support of the Communities In Bloom Committee which will be hosting workshops on flower garden design and noxious weeds • Participate in the TAME+ (Take Action to Manage Energy) Program • Scott Safety Centre enhancements include repairing McLeod Rink showers, replacing roof top air handling units and chiller repairs • Rotary Park: installation of a sun shelter at the Off Leash Dog Park • Parks & Playgrounds o Landscaping enhancements at Friendship Park o Replacement of Wagoner Playground • Sportsfields Master Plans • Graham Acres improvements
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$0.27 of each tax dollar is allocated to this function. Over 800 fitness/recreation/wellness programs are offered to residents each year. There were 111,000 scanned visits at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre in 2015. You can follow the Whitecourt Communities In Bloom group page on Facebook for information on upcoming events and promotions.
www.whitecourt.ca
Keeping you connected www.whitecourt.ca
• Read current press releases and public notices • Pay your tax and utility accounts • Register for programs and classes offered at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre • View the latest edition of the Community Spectrum • Submit events for posting on the Community Event Calendar • View the latest job opportunities with the municipality er 2016 b m e c e D g in m o C og license d s t’ e p r u o y w e n Re
Find us on Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/TownofWhitecourt www.facebook.com/MaryannChichakforMayor www.facebook.com/MillarCentre www.facebook.com/Whitecourt Fire Department www.facebook.com/WhitecourtCIB www.whitecourt.ca
Contact us
Town of Whitecourt 5004 52 Avenue, Box 509 Whitecourt AB T7S 1N6 Phone: 780-778-2273
Emergency After Hours: 780-778-7707 Fax: 780-778-4166 Email: administration@whitecourt.ca