(file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Candle Lake budget 2024

Repairing Community Hall and decommissioning landfill part of 2024 Candle Lake budget

Apr 4, 2024 | 9:18 AM

The Resort Village of Candle Lake expects to spend $6.5 million this year with a large part of that going to decommissioning an old landfill cell and fixing up the Community Hall.

The village council recently adopted the 2024 budget. Mayor Terry Kostyna said the goal was to maintain services, slow the impacts of inflation and plan for the future.

They managed to adopt their budget with no mill rate or base tax increase but eliminated the discount for paying taxes early.

“We know that municipalities all over Canada are being faced with rising operational costs due to inflation; ultimately the decision to discontinue the discount was needed to ensure existing services can be maintained,” Kostyna said.

Over $1 million will be spent improving the community hall. (graph source: 2024 Candle Lake budget)

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The cost of decommissioning the cell is just over $600,000 and the hall renovation is expected to cost $1.17 million. Some of the funding for these projects is coming from federal or provincial grant money.

Money will also be put towards things like trail and greenspace enhancements, better equipment for emergency service and other maintenance items.

The costs associated with decommissioning old landfill cells is significant. (graph source: 2024 Candle Lake budget)

The budget aligns with the objectives outlined in the RVCL 2022-2024 Strategic Plan adopted by Council last year, said Kostyna.

Residents were given a chance to comment on what should be done to address rising costs.

As part of the planning process, residents were also invited to comment on various measures to address rising costs. The 2024 budget includes expenditures totaling $6.626 million.

For the fiscal year 2024, the village has projected revenues of $6.626 million, with $3.173 million derived from property taxes.

This year, the village will continue to work on a 20-year asset management plan so it can better calculate how much money needs to be set aside for future repairs, maintenance and replacement.

“This strategic planning, coupled with future investments in subsequent years, is essential to sustain the exceptional quality of life enjoyed by residents of Candle Lake,” he said.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com