AUMA President Barry Morishita met with City Council and Administration members Friday at City Hall

By Shaun Penner

AUMA

Budget and funding uncertainity main issues for municipalities: AUMA President

Aug 19, 2019 | 5:30 AM

Provincial budget and funding uncertainty continues to be the main point of concern for most Alberta municipalities, as the United Conservative government has yet to finalize it’s first budget since coming into power.

This echoes province-wide to Alberta Urban Municipalities Association President Barry Morishita, who was in Grande Prairie late last week as part of a tour of all member municipalities this year, meeting with council members and City staff about their concerns.

The United Conservative Government has yet to finalize their first budget since coming into office earlier this year, a budget that will be heavily based on findings of the Blue-Ribbon Panel, which sent their findings to Finance Minister Travis Toews late last week.

“We know that they are committed to balancing the budget and that they want to deal with debt,” said Morishita. “What we’re saying to them is to work with us. We’re partners in that. We think we are a part of the solution to the issues.”

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A big part of that concern relates to the Municipal Sustainability Initiative deal, which provides nearly $10 million annually to the city’s budget, is set to expire at the end of 2019. Morishita explains that a new deal is set to begin in 2023, but it’s the time in between (202-2023) that is of the biggest concern to all municipalities.

Understanding that the United Conservatives are set on balancing the budget by 2023, fears of large cuts across the board are continuing to rise.

“When you arbitrarily cut things, then they might close the door provincially, but then you’re having services come to municipal councils saying, ‘I can’t do this now, I’ve just been cut’,” said Morishita. “So, what we’re saying is to work with us on what you (the province) are trying to do. Not just with municipal cuts, but cuts into the community, and let’s see if we can continue to do this better.”

Morishita adds that he expects “belt tightening” will undoubtedly be occurring, AUMA’s focus going forward is to continue to work with the province to ensure predictable and sustainable funding will be available.

The mission of AUMA is to work with council and administration of Alberta’s urban municipalities, to advocate for solutions to municipal issues. Grande Prairie Mayor Bill Given serves on the Association’s Board of Directors. Morishita is also the Mayor of the City of Brooks.