NIPAWIN — Nipawin council approved a budget that feature investments in infrastructure and a five per cent increase to the tax levy.
The budget was passed at the March 25 meeting. The water and sewer rates will remain the same as 2023, however a review is pending.
Marlon Zacharias, Nipawin's mayor, told SASKTODAY.ca, “The budget shows council’s commitment to community growth, enhanced recreation opportunities and creating sustainable development initiatives.”
Zacharias said key highlights of the 2024 budget were critical importance of infrastructure in supporting economic development and enhanced quality of life. A significant portion of the budget has been allocated towards infrastructure projects including road maintenance and upgrading utility services to ensure reliability and resilience.
“We approached 2024 aggressively with a plan to implement some large-scale projects, including decommissioning a portion of the historical landfill cells and installation of a scale, new office building and equipment area at the landfill. Adding additional utility infrastructure on Evergreen Drive and 12th Avenue will provide commercial development opportunities for the community.”
The Town of Nipawin will take on new debt with a loan to pay for a portion of the landfill decommissioning project that will be approximately $500,000.00
The 2024 operational budget will see an increase in revenue sharing from $1.10 million in 2023 to $1.27 million in 2024. The total council remuneration paid in 2023 was $100,000.
Zacharias said that this budget includes measures to support local businesses through collaboration with stakeholders to implement succession strategies, provide training, seek, and attract new investments, and create opportunities for job growth and economic prosperity.
Zacharias said that among the capital projects planned, the $1.3 million Evergreen Drive service loop and the $1.6 million sewer trunk line on 12th Avenue will help increase interest from companies, investors and businesses to build and move their business to Nipawin with more commercial and industrial properties having these services in place.
Zacharias recognized money approved for recreation in Nipawin. Investments to the infrastructure of the Evergreen Centre, the new multisport court planned in Central Park are some of the new opportunities residents of Nipawin will be able to utilize.
“I’d like to say what a great job our managers have done to put together this budget and how everything was presented. Overall, I am happy with the process and all of the infrastructure projects in 2024. With the aggressive targets set, we will strive to deliver these projects in a timely fashion and with minimum disruption to our current level of service. All projects are aligned to the strategic goals set forth in our current strategic plan.”
2024 Capital Expenditures
OPERATIONS & ENGINEERING
- Grader/Loader $200,000.00
- Landfill Cell (transfer to reserve for future purchase) $100,000.00
- Landfill Decommissioning Project $3,554,354.00 with $426,328 coming from reserves, $2,606,403.00 in grants and $521,623.00 by a loan for a total of $3,554,354.
- Infrastructure Master Plan (transfer to reserve for future use) $100,000.00
- Landfill Office Building $200,000.00
- Landfill Scale Installation $200,000.00
- Loader Pallet Forks with Grapple Attachment $20,000.00
- Diesel Portable Air Compressor $41,000.00
- Grader Tire Replacement $29,000.00
- Town Shop Heater Replacement $22,530.00
- Town Office Flooring $45,000.00
- Town Office Painting $17,000.00
- Snow Blower Attachment for Tractor $30,740.00
- Airport Runway Crack Repair $40,000.00
- 4x4 Truck $60,000.00
- Enterprise Centre (exterior repair) $20,000.00
COMMUNITY SERVICES
- Industrial Area Sewer Trunk Line/Lift Station (Lift Station on West end 12th Ave) $1,600,000.00
- Evergreen Drive Service Loop $1,300,000.00
- Branding Implementation $7,000.00
- Light Standard Banners $15,000.00
- Downtown Revitalization (transfer to reserve for future use) $25,000.00
- Economic Development Strategy and Website Completion $57,182.00
- Long Term Care Home (transfer for future use) $20,000.00
CORPORATE SERVICES
- IT Infrastructure Configuration $50,000.00
- Server Migration $10,000.00
LEISURE SERVICES
- Score Clock for Jubilee Arena $10,000.00
- Jubilee Arena Fire Rated Zamboni Door $67,243.00
- Arena Ice Painter $16,000.00
- Stump Removal in Central Park, Lion's Park, Old Hospital $40,000.00
- Skid Steer Motor Replacement $25,000.00
- Walking Trails (transfer to reserve for future use) $25,000.00
- MultiSport Court $310,000.00
- Multisport Court - Lights $25,000.00
- Arena Digital Sign $50,000.00
- Central Park Bleacher Repairs – Engineering $15,000.00
- Ball Diamond Shale $30,000.00
- Dug out Replacement $60,000.00
- Water Slide Stair Tread Replacement $11,000.00
- GHG Pathways Study $90,000.00
- Evergreen Centre Feasibility Study $72,885.53
- Evergreen Centre Boiler and Elevator Sprinkler Replacement $50,000.00
- Evergreen Centre Renovation - Phase 1 (curling rink roof can be addressed here) $750,000.00
- Evergreen Centre - Restaurant Equipment $15,000.00
LAND PLANNING
- Official Community Plan $80,000.00
- Asset Management $50,000.00
UTILITIES
- Vac Truck (transfer to 10-year machinery reserve for future purchase) $75,000.00
- Sanitary Trunk Upgrade (transfer to reserve for future use) $250,000.00
- Sewer Relining $15,000.00
- Sewer Manhole Repair $15,000.00
- 6'X12' Enclosed Trailer $13,000.00
- RO Membranes #3 - Utility Future Capital $93,000.00
- 3rd Street North Lift Station $50,000.00
- Fire Hydrant Repair $40,000.00
