MD of Bonnyville residents put council in the hot seat during their open houses, and wanted to know what was in the works for 2020.
“This council feels very strongly about getting out, talking to the public, and getting your feedback,” explained Reeve Greg Sawchuk. “That’s what tonight is all about, sharing information, getting some feedback from you, and from there the final budget decisions will be made in just over a months time.”
During the open house in Ardmore on Nov. 7, attendees heard the MD is looking into their roads, how they’re increasing recreation in the area, and where projects, such as the Ardmore and Fort Kent fire halls, are currently at.
Although taxes won’t be set until the final budget, council doesn’t anticipate any major changes.
“The residential is likely to stay the same. The only discussions were around the non-residential, whether or not we can move down the same path as last year and lower them again,” Sawchuk explained.
The draft of the 2020 operating budget came in with $85.56-million in expenses, while revenues are projected at $108.72-million.
Projected expenses for fire protective services are around $2-million, while ambulance services is anticipated to ring in at $40,000, and 911 was estimated to cost just under $192,000.
For public safety, $2.62-million is slated for those costs.
Waste manage had an estimated $161,100 in revenues, and expenses around $2.67-million.
When it came to roads, streets, walks, and lighting, the MD estimated $31.34-million in operating expenses.
On the capital side, the projected expenses are $30.47-million and revenue is estimated at $9.79-million.
According to Sawchuk, how the MD addresses roads was a change this year with the implementation of a new policy.
“The biggest aspect in regards to roads is looking at them as the most important part of our infrastructure, and having some sort of plan that would go along with them. That means prioritizing which roads are the most important ones, because money isn’t endless,” he detailed, adding the MD’s recently created road policy allows the municipality to better determine which ones should be paved, gravelled, and upgraded.
The draft of the 2020 capital budget is balanced at around $125.41-million.
When the topic of recreation came up, Ardmore resident Wade Magistad was curious if there were plans to add facilities to the hamlet.
“Since this meeting is being held in Ardmore, does the MD have any plans to help Ardmore’s recreation development in the future? Like a skating rink or ball diamond? I’ve been in this town for 57 years, and it would be nice to see the MD build something here.”
According to Sawchuk, the municipality has been discussing the possibility of bringing skating rinks to Ardmore and Fort Kent.
“The plan that council wished to have is a skating rink that has a roof over top of it that happens to open on the sides that would allow the sun to stay off, but still have that outdoor experience and decrease the amount of maintenance,” he detailed. “It still has to come up, it’s one of the sections that we haven’t discussed yet.”
Rural resident Ann Kostyshyn was glad to hear of the possibilities.
“I think the MD is finally hearing people asking for more in our community… It’s nice to see the MD is hearing what the public has to say, and get more recreational facilities into the smaller communities as well.”
With capital revenues for 2020 estimated at $3.27-million for Kinosoo Ridge, and expenses ringing in around $3.41-million, Sawchuk noted the municipality is aiming to have the facility opened year-round.
“This is all part of diversifying our economy, and making the area more tourist friendly,” he explained. “We sit in a real gem of an area, and for a lot of people they just don’t know. We don’t know what’s going to happen with the oil industry, it’s a big concern and it’s obviously a big part of our revenue. We need to start diversifying a little bit.”
The fire halls in Ardmore and Fort Kent were a topic residents were curious to hear about.
“These were both needed badly, the buildings were undersized for the new equipment that’s coming in, and these buildings are meant to last 50 years plus. They’re going to be good-looking buildings, and I think they’ll be nice additions to the communities as well,” expressed Sawchuk.
The bid chosen for the projects came in at $4.79-million, and council awarded the tender to Edmonton-based RPC Group Inc. in October. Construction is expected to begin within the next couple of months.
Many residents appreciated the chance to talk with the MD, and have their comments heard.
“There was good feedback from the MD to the public, good questions being asked, and the questions were being addressed. I think people were happy with it,” Kostyshyn expressed.
Ardmore resident Derek Neumann agreed.
“(Budget) open houses are important. I feel they should have more of them. I’m a little sad that they’re not well attended, but then again, everyone is busy.”
One suggestion offered was for the municipality to host similar events more often in the future.
“It probably wouldn’t hurt to do some once a year, but maybe even every six months,” noted Fort Kent resident David Collins. “So that it gives communities an updated insight on what’s going to happen with them.”
Once the MD gathers all the information from the open houses hosted in Glendon on Nov. 5 and Ardmore on Nov. 7, along with an upcoming one in La Corey on Nov. 18, the municipality will make any necessary changes before passing their interim budget at a future council meeting.
