The MD of Bonnyville has approved its 2018 operating budget. The little over $136 million dollar plan sees a few projects around the area as well as some funding for communities in the MD. Reeve Greg Sawchuk says adjusting mill rates to help with a struggling economy is fickle business.
“Council is taking a conservative approach to this year’s budget in recognition of the
economic conditions lingering within our region,” says Sawchuk. “The decrease in
our non-residential mill rate, coupled with our unique small business classification, is just one
way we can support our struggling industry partners. Holding the line on residential mill rates
and examining our service levels is another priority. Council also wants to focus on funding
recreation and culture initiatives to improve the quality of life throughout our region.”
Council reduced the Non-residential mill rate to 15.000 from 15.500, bringing the M.D.
closer to the 5:1 non-residential/residential mill rate ratio the Province of Alberta has mandated.
The Small Business Property Sub-Class (fewer than 50 full-time employees) mill rate is 13.500.
Reeve Sawchuk says Council expects to see a 10 percent reduction of taxes from last year for
businesses that fall into the new sub-class. The Residential mill rate has been held at 2.7663.
MD council says they are directing the majority of the budget to a few infrastructure projects including roads, sewer underground and trail systems. The La Corey North Resource Road Overlay is due to be the largest project, at a cost of $13 million.
A complete release on the 2018 budget can be found by clicking here.