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What's Happening Around the County |
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County of Stettler Rural Water Servicing Strategy Tenders Released
Four projects for the Stettler Rural Water Servicing Strategy were released for tender on February 17, 2010. The documents are available at the Stantec Red Deer Office and through the Red Deer Construction Association, as well as from the Stettler County Water website www.stettlercountywater.com
The tenders will be received in accordance with the following schedule.
South Endiang Water Servicing - Wednesday March 3, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. - Stettler County Office
North Endiang Water Servicing - Friday March 5, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. - Stettler County Office
North Byemoor Water Servicing - Wednesday March 10, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. - Stettler County Office
South Byemoor Water Servicing - Friday March 12, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. - Stettler County Office
To be included on the document holders list for notification of addendum, please contact Stantec Consulting Ltd. - 403.341.3320.
2010 Budget
County Council approves both capital and operating budget for 2010
The 2010 operating and capital budget puts emphasis on infrastructure and community support while continuing to showcase the County of Stettler's committment to fiscal responsibility and accountability.
The budget for 2010 is conservative, reflecting the fact that 2009 was a tough year on our local economy. As a result of the slowdown in our resource industries, tax revenue projections are down about 4.6% over last years'. The Council of the County of Stettler No. 6 has made it perfectly clear that this budget will not have any increase in the mil rate for the upcoming year despite the decrease in revenue. The County anticipates revenue of just under $34.49 million from taxes ($17.5 million) and other revenue coming from provincial and federal grant programs, sales and service and transfers from reserves to make up the difference.
Expenditures were calculated and researched diligently to ensure that the County residents are getting as much out of their tax dollar as possible. Transportation Services takes the lion's share of the budget with just over $13 million dollars allocated to road construction, road rejuvenation, road maintenance and gravelling. Water Services takes over as the second largest expenditure item, with just over $9.5 million dollars being spent on water and water related services in the coming year. The total budget for expenditures in 2010 will be very close to revenues at $34.47 million. This budget will leave the county with a surplus just over $20,000.
The capital budget, included in the operating budget, totalled $1.38 million and included new equipment purchases for Infrastructure and Operations and Agricultural Services, a new fire engine and renovations for the Byemoor and Stettler Fire Halls, the completion of the Donalda Fire Hall and a new map plotter for the Planning and Development department.
The budget reflects the County's committment to being fiscally responsible, fair and accountable in all aspects of County operations and strives to provide the best value for the tax dollar possible for all of its ratepayers.
Budget Highlights Include:
* 19.3 km of new road construction and 535 km of gravelling will be completed in 2010.
* Council has budgeted $50,000 this year in order to start annual increases in reserves for Bridge Replacements, recognizing that the current and projected Provincial funding will not even come close to what is required to sustain the future cost.
* Completion of SE Phase and Central Phase of the County of Stettler Rural Water Servicing Strategy. These two phases mark the beginning of the strategy's implementation with other phases to be completed as main trunk lines are continually being built.
* Handibus Funding will continue - despite the cancellation of the provincial government program which pays the County's contribution to the Handibus. Council remains committed to safe and reliable transportation for the entire community, and will continue to fund the Handibus with a $16,764 contribution.
* We are continuing to replace Fire Pumpers in the County of Stettler No. 6 as our present fleet has reached the maximum life under provincial regulations to maintain our accreditation (25-30 years). We have a plan to achieve this and will mean substantial costs over the next decade. This year we have budgeted for just over $50,000 for the second payment on a Pumper-Tanker in Byemoor and $130,000 for upgrades and renovations to the Fire Halls in Stettler and Byemoor. The regionalization of Fire protection in the entire County is still a priority for council and administration.
* The County of Stettler No. 6 provides administration services for Stettler District Ambulance Association, Stettler Waste Management Authority and the Shirley McClellan Regional Water Services Commission and we have went to a cost accounting system to recover our true costs.
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