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County of Grande Prairie Council approves interim 2019 budget

Dec 6, 2018 | 4:19 PM

County of Grande Prairie council has approved its interim budget for 2019 after deliberations this week.
 
The spending plan calls for a two percent tax increase on residential properties.
 
That works out to $35 a year for a place valued at $435,000.
 
There is $81.1-million set aside for operating expenses and $54.6 million for capital projects.
 
$31.1 million from that capital budget is for roads and bridges.
 
A release from the County outlines some of the road work planned for next year. It includes the following:
 
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
 
JD Willis subdivision– overlay 1.10 km
 
Country view North 105 Ave., 106 Ave., 107 Ave., and 97A St. – grade, base and pave 0.75 km 
 
Althen Corner 156 Ave., 101 St., and 102 St. – overlay 0.40 km
 
RR 93 Regional Waste Facility Road – overlay 0.40 km
 
Whispering Ridge School Site – sidewalks
 
$14.2 million for Divisional Road projects
 
$4.2 million for bridge rehabilitation and replacement projects
 
$2.1 million for spot construction, road widening projects and road condition assessments
 
In addition to road construction, the capital budget includes:
 
$7.1 million for replacement of vehicles and equipment
 
$400,000 for a Water Tender for Town of Sexsmith Fire Department
 
$240,000 to support upgrades of the Grande Prairie Regional Pound
 
$300,000 for playground upgrades, campground improvements including a power site expansion to Pipestone Creek Campground
 
$173,500 for upgrades to the Community Services Snow Storage Site to meet Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) regulations
 
$112,500 in County Sportsplex improvements including the installation of a second fishing dock for the pond, playing field upgrades, directional signage and purchase of maintenance equipment

 “This budget focuses on investing in priority road and infrastructure projects as well as maintaining services, programs and partnerships with affordable tax levels,” explained Reeve Leanne Beaupre.  “Given the uncertainty of provincial grants that provide a stable revenue stream, Council and staff have worked hard to prepare a budget that will responsibly meet the needs of all County residents and businesses.”