BATTLEFORD — Inflation hasn't reached Battleford residents quite yet.
Battleford passed their 2023 budget unanimously at Monday's Dec. 12 town council meeting, which brings an increased tax rate of two per cent to residents and, according to the budget document, brings the town to a projected eight per cent increase in general fund revenue for 2023.
However, the town projects that the average taxpayer will only see a 1.14 per cent increase in their tax bill due to decreases in property assessments.
2023's tax discount will stay the same, with a six per cent discount before Jan. 23, a five per cent discount before Feb 23, and a four per cent discount before March 23. Recycling fees will also remain the same at $16 per bin/quarter.
The town states that it wants to keep the tax rate low in an effort to minimize the impact on residents while being mindful of the necessary revenues to plan for future expenses and projects.
Ash Alm, the Town of Battleford's chief administrative officer, says, “There is no borrowing from the reserve in 2023 for any project.”
During 2022, the town completed 37 projects out of 39, including the truss bridges, which is 95 per cent complete, phase one of the cemetery expansion, the 5th Avenue and Highway 40 Telegraph road paving, and the 23rd Street West 200 block road rehabilitation.
In 2023, the town plans to complete phase two of the cemetery expansion and 20 other projects while saving for future projects in 2024 and 2025.
Councillor George thanked city managers and administrators, saying. “Thanks for your due diligence. It is a balanced budget as requested and required ... I think we put the money in the right places.”
Though Mayor Ames Leslie was absent with regrets, councillor Boutin-Gervais, acting mayor, shared her thoughts on this year's budget.
“With the present economy so thin, it's still a tough ask for a lot of people. But in order to grow, we need to move forward.”
