County of Grande Prairie finalizes 2019 budget

The County of Grande Prairie has released details about its 2019 budget.

It says out of its budget of $139.7-million, $82.3-million is going towards estimated operating expenditures for general operations, and $57.4-million is being used for its capital budget. The County says in a release that 59 percent of the capital budget is going to be used for road projects.

The County says the municipal tax revenue increase is two percent, which results in a $34 increase to the average residential property owner with a home assessed at $435,000.

“Council asked Administration to cut their budgets and they did as it is essential to ensure our municipality is sustainable in the long-term,” said Reeve Leanne Beaupre. “When County Council works through budget deliberations, our focus is on maintaining services, programs and partnerships with affordable tax levels while continually investing in priority road and infrastructure projects. These are projects that serve not only our residents, but everyone who works in or visits the County.”

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Almost $33.6-million of the capital budget is being used for road and bridge projects. The proposed road construction involves 22.9 kilometres of road surfacing. That includes paving gravel roads, surfaced road overlays and road reconstruction.

The County estimates grant funding for road projects is close to $5.1-million, which includes $6.92-million from a Provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative Grant and $2.1-million from a Federal Gas Tax Grant.

The County is looking at 15 road projects which include:

• Northgate and Crossroads North Industrial Park 98 Ave. – overlay 11 km
• Spruce Wood Estates subdivision – base and pave 2.10 km
• Dunkley Meadows subdivision – base and pave 1.30 km
• Aside from the road work, the County’s capital budget also includes:
• $7.1-million for replacement of vehicles/equipment
• $400,000 for a Water Tender for the Town of Sexsmith Fire Department
• $300,000 for playground and campground upgrades. This includes a power site expansion to Pipestone Creek Campground.
• $240,000 will go toward upgrades for the Grande Prairie Regional Pound

Some highlights from the 2019 operating budget include:

• $4.3-million in recreation, community and culture grants to various organizations
• $1.6-million is being put toward weed control services and programs
• About 1.2-million to the City of Grande Prairie for the tax sharing agreement (share of municipal tax revenue – 20 percent from the co-generational facility and 10 percent on any new commercial industrial development in the areas serviced by Aquatera)

The County says the hamlets of Bezanson, La Glace, Teepee Creek and Valhalla will see utility fees for water and sewage/wastewater increasing by three percent for the average resident and commercial utility customer. Along with those changes, Campgrounds will increase Group Area Fees and increase days use fees, as well as implement half day use rates, and the payment of tax accounts online with a credit card will now be charged a 2.2 percent convenience fee.

The County adds the municipal tax revenue increase is two percent, which results in a $34 increase to the average residential property owner with a home assessed at $435,000.