BATTLEFORD - Battleford council approved its 2022 budget at Monday’s meeting, which calls for a 2.5 per cent property tax increase for residents.
The final budget was approved unanimously by council, which has met several times in the past few weeks to deliberate on the finer details.
The finished document presented on Monday calls for overall capital spending of $8,849,400 capita and $7,588,744 in operating expenditures. Another $1,571,667 is being set aside for savings for future projects.
The Truss Bridges capital project represents the largest item at $3,468,300.
Utilities spending includes roadways and meter upgrades. The Parks and Recreation plans include the Kinsmen playground replacement on 17th Street for $100,000, a cold storage building for Public Works/Parks and Recreation for $265,000 and phase one of the cemetery expansion, budgeted at $670,000.
Several street projects are planned including 3rd Avenue from 35th Street West to 36th Street West budgeted at $296,00.
Also included for 2022 is the asphalt overlay on 3rd Avenue from 35th Street to Riverbend for $102,000, on 4th Avenue from 35th to Riverbend for $215,000, 5th Avenue from Telegraph Road to Highway 40 for $307,000, 29th Street pavement overlay from 4th to 5th Avnue for $80,000, and new pavement on 5th Avenue from 29th Street to 30th Street for $40,000.
While the 2.5 per cent increase to taxation — with the mill rate rising from 3.42 to 3.68 — was something council wasn’t thrilled about, it was also noted by Mayor Ames Leslie that assessments for average homes had gone down four per cent from the assessment.
“I do like this budget, especially in a year where there is a lot of shortfalls and a lot of revenue asks out there,” said Leslie.
His hope was for tenders to go out early in the new year. Many projects were local improvements so Leslie said residents can expect open houses in the new year on those.
