Coronation town council reviewed its 2025 interim budget during its Dec. 9 meeting.
The interim budget outlines a balanced plan with projected revenues and expenditures totaling $3,990,032.29. It accounts for $201,107.70 in uncollected taxes and a $509,993 surplus from unspent 2023 grant allocations.
The budget also factors in a 4.29 per cent anticipated increase in assessments for residential and non-commercial properties, and 1.21 per cent for machinery and equipment.
The town has secured a $400,000 loan to support essential projects, with a five-year repayment plan at an interest rate of 5.31 per cent.
Additionally, $1,914,325 in restricted surplus funds have been earmarked for future operating and capital initiatives.
“The interim budget is not concrete, as several things may change in the new year,” said Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Clinton Wintfley.
Funding for projects such as the swimming pool development and affordable housing will come through Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) and Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) grants in collaboration with the County of Paintearth.
The budget also includes provisions for continued local partnerships, infrastructure maintenance and scheduled municipal upgrades.
The town’s current mill rate of 14.0840 will remain unchanged.
Council passed a motion to approve the 2025 interim budget as presented, maintaining the mill rate with no increase in tax rates.
Salary adjustments
Council discussed staffing costs for 2025. The 2024 payroll budget for full-time and seasonal staff, which included a 2.5 per cent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), was $823,624.94. For 2025, the projected payroll budget with the same COLA would be $668,760.93 – a savings of $154,864.01. This is due to staff turnover and organizational restructuring.
These figures exclude costs for swimming pool staff and summer students, partially funded through the Canada Summer Jobs Program.
The savings do not account for the anticipated hiring of a full-time public works employee, which would reduce the payroll savings depending on the new hire’s pay rate and associated costs.
“This is based on eight staff, not nine,” said Wintfley.
Council approved the 2.5 per cent COLA for 2025, resulting in an additional $16,311.24 expense while maintaining overall budget savings from reduced staffing levels.
Water alliance
The Red Deer River Watershed Alliance (RDRWA) requested the town consider becoming a funding partner to support its activities, which focus on protecting and enhancing the watershed.
The RDRWA is a planning and advisory council that promotes collaboration and stewardship of the Red Deer River watershed. It engages municipalities, industries and the public to ensure sustainable water use and environmental health.
Council approved a 50-cent-per-capita annual funding contribution to the RDRWA at an annual estimated cost of $430.
Veterans highway
Council discussed membership in the Veterans Memorial Highway Association, which promotes tourism, economic development and investment opportunities along Highway 36.
The association supports communities along the route by increasing visibility and fostering growth through collaboration and targeted promotion.
Mayor Ron Checkel pointed out that there would be an opportunity to advertise community businesses and events through their websites.
Benefits include increased exposure for local tourism attractions through the Explore the Eastern Route website and inclusion in economic development initiatives via the Invest in the Eastern Route platform, which supports future investment in the region.
Council approved membership in the Veterans Memorial Highway Association at a cost of $130.20 for the 2024 fiscal year.
