Stettler Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) has more room to breathe in 2016 thanks to an increase in provincial funding.
Stettler town council approved the 2016 FCSS budget at their Jan. 5 meeting following a presentation by FCSS Executive Director Shelley Walker.
This year’s budget as presented comes to $397,436 of which the town’s contribution is $36,013. The remainder is split between the County’s contribution of $38,086 and the provincial portion of $323,337.
As CAO Greg Switenky pointed out, the province has committed to an additional 10 per cent increase to FCSS on top of the original 10 per cent increase in mid-2015, but has not indicated that municipalities must match the increase.
If the town matches the amount, their portion would be $39,000 by 2017. The total budget would be approximately $401,000 according to Walker.
“We’ll be happy to match the increase,” declared Mayor Richards.
“It’s amazing how many lives that place touches.”
Busy 2016
Stettler Board of Trade (BOT) had a successful 2015 according to Board of Trade Executive Director Stacey Benjamin and Board President Matt Dorsett in a 2016 budget presentation to council.
A number of ongoing projects, places or plans netted profits, saw an increase in usage, or met BOT goals
Stettler Trade Show netted a profit of $21,395 while the Pheasant Festival netted over $14,000 for a total of $28,000 over its two years of operation.
Use of the visitor information centre increased by 40 per cent and the Physician Recruitment Program welcomed four doctors to Stettler clinics.
2016 looks to be an equally ambitious year for the BOT as the Destination Stettler website embarks on its first full year. The new Stettler town float has an increased schedule for parades.
As well, the BOT is actively promoting yearly events like the Pheasant Festival, Steel Wheel Stampede and several other community events.
BOT has amalgamated with the Downtown Business Association (DBA) and will be promoting DBA events like The Night Before the Night Before.
Council approved the town’s contribution of $246,172 to the BOT budget. The total budget for the year is $472,932.
