1 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:18,240 Good afternoon and welcome to our 2 00:00:16,160 --> 00:00:20,640 special council meeting for February 3 00:00:18,240 --> 00:00:22,400 24th, 2026. 4 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:24,560 I'll call the meeting to order at 5:00 5 00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:26,960 pm. 6 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:30,160 First item on the agenda, agenda item 7 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:31,519 1.1, land acknowledgement. The town of 8 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:33,520 Coldell acknowledges [clears throat] 9 00:00:31,519 --> 00:00:36,160 that we are gathered on the lands of the 10 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:38,160 Blackfoot peoples of the Canadian plains 11 00:00:36,160 --> 00:00:41,360 and pays respect to the Blackfoot 12 00:00:38,160 --> 00:00:43,600 people's past, present, and future while 13 00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:46,239 recognizing their cultural heritage, 14 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:48,719 beliefs, and relationship to the land. 15 00:00:46,239 --> 00:00:52,480 The town of Coldell is also home to 16 00:00:48,719 --> 00:00:56,320 Matei District 1 foothills. Agenda item 17 00:00:52,480 --> 00:00:59,359 1.2, conflict of interest declaration, 18 00:00:56,320 --> 00:01:01,520 pecunary or nonpunary. Are there any in 19 00:00:59,359 --> 00:01:04,320 the room this afternoon? 20 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:06,960 None declared. Thank you. 21 00:01:04,320 --> 00:01:09,840 Moving on to 22 00:01:06,960 --> 00:01:13,439 agenda item 2.1, acceptance of the 23 00:01:09,840 --> 00:01:15,840 agenda for our meeting today for special 24 00:01:13,439 --> 00:01:20,479 council meeting agenda February 24th, 25 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:25,320 2026. I have one addition under addition 26 00:01:20,479 --> 00:01:25,320 agenda item 13.2 two 27 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:30,560 Colddale procedures and transacting of 28 00:01:28,640 --> 00:01:33,840 business by council of the town of 29 00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:36,400 Coldale. Are there any other additions 30 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:38,079 to the agenda? 31 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:40,159 Seeing none, could I get someone to 32 00:01:38,079 --> 00:01:43,360 entertain making a motion that council 33 00:01:40,159 --> 00:01:46,799 adopt a special council meeting for 34 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:49,600 agenda for February 24th, 2026 as 35 00:01:46,799 --> 00:01:51,680 amended? Councelor Reese makes that 36 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:55,560 motion. 37 00:01:51,680 --> 00:01:55,560 I'll call for the vote. 38 00:02:01,040 --> 00:02:06,719 And that vote is carried. 39 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:11,520 Moving down to the agenda under new 40 00:02:06,719 --> 00:02:14,640 business, we have our draft 2026 to 2028 41 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:17,840 operating budget and we have our chief 42 00:02:14,640 --> 00:02:20,400 financial officer, Tim Koba, presenting. 43 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:23,680 and Tim just wanted to congratulate you 44 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:26,720 on behalf of uh council with your new 45 00:02:23,680 --> 00:02:29,520 position. Thank congratulations. 46 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:31,200 So before I open it up to Tim, is there 47 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:34,000 anything you wanted to start off before 48 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:35,519 I let the library library come and do 49 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:38,480 their presentation? 50 00:02:35,519 --> 00:02:39,280 » Uh no. Uh I don't have anything. Um 51 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:42,160 thank you. 52 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:46,160 » Okay. So, Kendra, we'll let the two of 53 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:47,440 you come up and uh whenever you're 54 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:49,360 settled in, you got to use your 55 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:51,360 microphone and if you could both 56 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:53,200 introduce yourself for the public record 57 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:56,200 and then you can do your presentation, 58 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:56,200 please. 59 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:04,480 » My name is Kendra Bur. I am the head 60 00:03:01,760 --> 00:03:06,959 librarian at the Coldell Public Library. 61 00:03:04,480 --> 00:03:08,879 » My name is Candace Langworthy. I am the 62 00:03:06,959 --> 00:03:11,879 current Coell Public Library Board 63 00:03:08,879 --> 00:03:11,879 Chair. 64 00:03:12,239 --> 00:03:16,640 Thank you for having us here. Good 65 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:18,720 evening, mayor and council. 66 00:03:16,640 --> 00:03:21,200 I'm here on behalf of the Cold Public 67 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:23,680 Library Board to speak to our 2026 68 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:26,080 budget request, specifically the 69 00:03:23,680 --> 00:03:28,239 reinstatement of a full-time assistant 70 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:30,319 librarian position. 71 00:03:28,239 --> 00:03:33,120 Over the past three years, our library 72 00:03:30,319 --> 00:03:36,560 has experienced significant growth. Door 73 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:40,959 counts have increased 28%. 74 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:43,440 Program attendance has grown 164%. 75 00:03:40,959 --> 00:03:46,400 That growth spans children, teens, 76 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:49,120 families, and adults. It reflects strong 77 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:50,879 community demand and meaningful 78 00:03:49,120 --> 00:03:53,200 engagement. 79 00:03:50,879 --> 00:03:54,959 We are very proud of what our small team 80 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:59,040 has accomplished during this period of 81 00:03:54,959 --> 00:04:00,959 growth. But as I'm sure you can imagine, 82 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:02,879 the difficulty this has posed when 83 00:04:00,959 --> 00:04:06,560 staffing levels have not increased at 84 00:04:02,879 --> 00:04:08,720 the same pace as service demand. So we 85 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:10,640 have approached this request carefully 86 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:12,640 and creatively. 87 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:15,519 As you probably know from our budget 88 00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:17,919 request last year, we have offset costs 89 00:04:15,519 --> 00:04:21,919 where possible and reallocated funds to 90 00:04:17,919 --> 00:04:23,759 minimize impact for our 2026 budget. And 91 00:04:21,919 --> 00:04:26,240 thank you so much to Tim for working 92 00:04:23,759 --> 00:04:27,919 together with me to do this. We are 93 00:04:26,240 --> 00:04:29,919 grateful for our partnership with the 94 00:04:27,919 --> 00:04:33,280 town and how this council has 95 00:04:29,919 --> 00:04:35,600 consistently shown strong support for 96 00:04:33,280 --> 00:04:37,440 our library and tonight we are asking 97 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:40,720 for your approval to reinstate this 98 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:43,759 position so we can continue to meet the 99 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:46,759 needs of this growing community. 100 00:04:43,759 --> 00:04:46,759 » Thanks. 101 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:51,199 » Thank you. 102 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:54,400 I'll open it up to members of council. 103 00:04:51,199 --> 00:04:57,759 Any questions, comments? 104 00:04:54,400 --> 00:05:01,199 So, Kendra, that was a 105 00:04:57,759 --> 00:05:03,280 » Cole's notes version of your ask. 106 00:05:01,199 --> 00:05:05,040 » So, this position, what are they going 107 00:05:03,280 --> 00:05:06,960 to be exactly doing? 108 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:11,039 » So, it would be an assistant librarian 109 00:05:06,960 --> 00:05:14,400 position. They would um have 110 00:05:11,039 --> 00:05:16,639 um professional oversight. They would 111 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:18,479 also have um they would be a part of 112 00:05:16,639 --> 00:05:21,440 program development. They would be a 113 00:05:18,479 --> 00:05:24,240 part of um community engagement. 114 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:27,039 and um eventually 115 00:05:24,240 --> 00:05:29,759 um having that MLIS compliance that we 116 00:05:27,039 --> 00:05:32,000 need when we hit um 10,000 for our 117 00:05:29,759 --> 00:05:34,720 population. 118 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:36,639 » And what kind of uh resume do they have 119 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:37,600 to have? Like what kind of education for 120 00:05:36,639 --> 00:05:39,600 something like that? 121 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:40,560 » Uh masters of library and information 122 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:42,800 science. 123 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:44,080 » Thank you. Council Avery has a question. 124 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:46,800 Thank you, mayor. Thank you for your 125 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:50,160 presentation. Um and I can appreciate 126 00:05:46,800 --> 00:05:53,199 the increase in um people attending the 127 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:56,160 library. Do we know the percentage of 128 00:05:53,199 --> 00:06:00,479 town versus county that are coming in? 129 00:05:56,160 --> 00:06:04,240 » Yeah. So, our um our library 130 00:06:00,479 --> 00:06:08,160 memberships, 87% of them are from the 131 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:10,080 town and about 13% are from the county. 132 00:06:08,160 --> 00:06:12,000 » And does the county contribute any 133 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:14,479 funding towards the library? 134 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:17,120 » Yes, they do. So that the county 135 00:06:14,479 --> 00:06:20,880 residents, they do pay for their yearly 136 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:24,080 membership whereas town um residents, 137 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:27,520 they they enjoy a free library card. Um 138 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:31,440 and also the county contributes to the 139 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:34,560 rural grant services. Um and that is 140 00:06:31,440 --> 00:06:36,400 split between us and patribute. And 141 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:38,080 » Will the county be contributing to this 142 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:40,240 position at all? 143 00:06:38,080 --> 00:06:43,560 » Uh what they contributed last year was 144 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:43,560 around 37,000. 145 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:50,080 Thank you. Any further questions, 146 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:52,319 comments for our presenters? 147 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:54,560 Well, thank you very much. 148 00:06:52,319 --> 00:06:56,400 » Deputy Mayor Beakman speaks highly of 149 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:57,680 your team, so we appreciate everything 150 00:06:56,400 --> 00:07:00,319 you do. 151 00:06:57,680 --> 00:07:01,680 » Thank you. Appreciate it. 152 00:07:00,319 --> 00:07:03,280 » You're free to go. 153 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:07,759 » Thank you. 154 00:07:03,280 --> 00:07:09,440 » So, back to our 2026 to 2028 operating 155 00:07:07,759 --> 00:07:12,240 budget. We have our chief financial 156 00:07:09,440 --> 00:07:15,759 officer, Tim Kova, presenting. And Tim, 157 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:18,479 whenever you're ready. 158 00:07:15,759 --> 00:07:21,120 » Okay. Thank you, uh, Mayor Van Rein, and 159 00:07:18,479 --> 00:07:23,840 welcome, council. Um, so tonight's 160 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:25,520 meeting is meeting number two of three 161 00:07:23,840 --> 00:07:27,440 that we have scheduled for the operating 162 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:31,440 budget deliberations. 163 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:38,639 Um, now this presentation, um, I will 164 00:07:31,440 --> 00:07:42,000 start off by kind of summarizing what we 165 00:07:38,639 --> 00:07:44,639 summarizing some of the kind of like the 166 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:49,280 the reasons for this budget in front of 167 00:07:44,639 --> 00:07:52,080 you today as as well as um you know our 168 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:54,160 budgeting approach to get to uh what you 169 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:56,080 see in front of you. Um there will be a 170 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:57,840 lot of information so please feel free 171 00:07:56,080 --> 00:08:02,160 to just stop me and ask if you have any 172 00:07:57,840 --> 00:08:05,199 questions along the way. Um, 173 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:09,039 I guess the information I I do have two 174 00:08:05,199 --> 00:08:10,400 separate um I guess PDF documents that 175 00:08:09,039 --> 00:08:12,560 have been attached for the draft 176 00:08:10,400 --> 00:08:15,039 operating budget and I will I will be 177 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:17,199 jumping back and forth between the two. 178 00:08:15,039 --> 00:08:19,199 Um, now the first two slides that you 179 00:08:17,199 --> 00:08:21,680 see in the budget presentation, these 180 00:08:19,199 --> 00:08:23,280 are all points that are covered um in 181 00:08:21,680 --> 00:08:25,599 our in the cover letter that's attached 182 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:28,240 to the draft operating budget. Um these 183 00:08:25,599 --> 00:08:32,719 are items that I will speak to um 184 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:35,680 individually um as we go through um kind 185 00:08:32,719 --> 00:08:40,240 of like the the overall summary of the 186 00:08:35,680 --> 00:08:42,240 2026 budget uh 2026 to 28 budget. Um so 187 00:08:40,240 --> 00:08:45,200 these first two slides I'm just going to 188 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:46,880 real quick skip through those ones. Um, 189 00:08:45,200 --> 00:08:49,360 and I think it's kind of important to 190 00:08:46,880 --> 00:08:51,440 maybe go through um, our budgeting 191 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:53,200 approach first so that council has an 192 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:56,560 understanding of, you know, the reasons 193 00:08:53,200 --> 00:09:00,080 why we uh, did the budget the way we did 194 00:08:56,560 --> 00:09:03,120 and and sort of just to let council know 195 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:07,279 that we we kept in mind uh, council's 196 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:08,880 objectives in in their strategic um, you 197 00:09:07,279 --> 00:09:12,160 know, what what they wanted to see from 198 00:09:08,880 --> 00:09:14,640 the town um, and and kind of what the 199 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:17,760 their expectations were for 2026. 200 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:21,040 Um [snorts] now just to clarify this 201 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:23,360 budget is mainly focused on 2026. Uh we 202 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:25,519 we when we approach departments for 203 00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:29,440 their asks we asked them to focus mainly 204 00:09:25,519 --> 00:09:33,920 on 26. Um there are some numbers that we 205 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:37,600 uh have budgeted out 27 and 28th for 206 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:40,880 growth and um you know there are certain 207 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:43,200 agreements that that go up um and so 208 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:45,440 those have been reflected and I'll I'll 209 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:48,560 make it very clear which which items 210 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:50,320 those are and uh uh like I said again if 211 00:09:48,560 --> 00:09:54,720 you have questions feel free to stop me. 212 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:57,120 Um so the 26 to 28 operating budget uh 213 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:59,440 we first met in October, November with 214 00:09:57,120 --> 00:10:02,240 each department to get an idea of what 215 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:07,519 their requests would be for 2026. 216 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:10,640 Um we what I did first is you know we we 217 00:10:07,519 --> 00:10:13,519 worked in those requests based on um 218 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:16,079 sort of the data that the previous CFO 219 00:10:13,519 --> 00:10:18,720 had populated you know for 26 and 27 220 00:10:16,079 --> 00:10:22,000 when he prepared last year's budget. Um 221 00:10:18,720 --> 00:10:25,360 however, in order to get and and he did 222 00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:27,440 an excellent job at um projecting out 223 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:30,560 makes making sure things were included 224 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:33,200 and and we were uh prepared for the 225 00:10:30,560 --> 00:10:35,279 future uh by setting aside you know 226 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:38,720 transfers through capital reserves and 227 00:10:35,279 --> 00:10:40,800 and making sure that uh you know 228 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:44,320 utilities were self-supported and taxes 229 00:10:40,800 --> 00:10:46,800 were funding ongoing expenses. Um 230 00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:49,120 however for myself uh and being new to 231 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:52,399 this role my first year presenting an 232 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:54,000 operating budget um I we we really 233 00:10:52,399 --> 00:10:57,680 wanted to get a a really good 234 00:10:54,000 --> 00:11:00,880 understanding um so to get a base level 235 00:10:57,680 --> 00:11:03,440 understanding of you know what services 236 00:11:00,880 --> 00:11:05,600 we are providing what what costs are 237 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:07,920 there and then as well along the way we 238 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:12,640 also um 239 00:11:07,920 --> 00:11:16,079 you know uh I also looked at what uh the 240 00:11:12,640 --> 00:11:18,160 alloc ations were and um you know we did 241 00:11:16,079 --> 00:11:20,640 adjust allocations kind of across the 242 00:11:18,160 --> 00:11:23,279 board. So you might notice that some 243 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:24,880 expenses might jump, some might go down 244 00:11:23,279 --> 00:11:26,720 significantly 245 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:29,920 um but that's just due to a change in 246 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:32,959 the allocation. So there are some 247 00:11:29,920 --> 00:11:34,800 categories uh such as salaries and wages 248 00:11:32,959 --> 00:11:38,000 um you know natural gas and power 249 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:40,399 municipal utilities uh debentures, bank 250 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:41,839 charges and interest and insurance for 251 00:11:40,399 --> 00:11:44,240 example that affect the whole 252 00:11:41,839 --> 00:11:47,279 organization and the way that the 253 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:49,440 previous CFO had those allocated out. 254 00:11:47,279 --> 00:11:53,440 you know, I may I may have made some 255 00:11:49,440 --> 00:11:55,519 tweaks, but um overall I can tell you 256 00:11:53,440 --> 00:11:58,959 kind of what the increases are across 257 00:11:55,519 --> 00:12:01,839 those um specific items. Um and then 258 00:11:58,959 --> 00:12:05,440 there are items that departments have uh 259 00:12:01,839 --> 00:12:07,360 you know more uh discretion over. So you 260 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:09,200 I I would be talking about things like 261 00:12:07,360 --> 00:12:11,839 contracted services, purchases of 262 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:16,079 supplies, materials, uh construction 263 00:12:11,839 --> 00:12:18,079 materials. Um and those items, you know, 264 00:12:16,079 --> 00:12:20,320 that's where we met with the departments 265 00:12:18,079 --> 00:12:22,160 and went through line by line to figure 266 00:12:20,320 --> 00:12:23,839 out, you know, are these where they 267 00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:26,639 should be? Should we increase certain 268 00:12:23,839 --> 00:12:29,920 amounts, decrease certain amounts? Um 269 00:12:26,639 --> 00:12:34,240 and and it was a we we did have more 270 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:36,560 meetings in um 2026. Um, so those are 271 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:39,920 follow-up meetings uh in January, 272 00:12:36,560 --> 00:12:41,680 February um to get to the budget that 273 00:12:39,920 --> 00:12:43,600 you see in front of you today. So it it 274 00:12:41,680 --> 00:12:46,000 is kind of a rework from the ground up 275 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:49,600 for a lot of items. Um there's a lot of 276 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:54,639 allocation changes. Um, however, I think 277 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:57,040 the main uh message or the main uh goal 278 00:12:54,639 --> 00:13:00,000 of this budget was to present something 279 00:12:57,040 --> 00:13:02,079 to council that was um, you know, that 280 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:05,279 gave us an understanding of, you know, 281 00:13:02,079 --> 00:13:10,000 the town's operations and and to provide 282 00:13:05,279 --> 00:13:14,160 um, a budget that didn't uh, impact 283 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:16,079 residents or that that had a 0% uh, 284 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:18,480 residential tax increase for at least 285 00:13:16,079 --> 00:13:22,079 the 2026 year. And that was important 286 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:25,279 because of a few items. Um, you know, as 287 00:13:22,079 --> 00:13:27,279 council is aware, we we approved a 288 00:13:25,279 --> 00:13:30,560 utility rate bylaw that had utility rate 289 00:13:27,279 --> 00:13:34,000 increases that we weren't expecting. Um, 290 00:13:30,560 --> 00:13:35,920 there are um there is a rates and fees 291 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:37,680 bylaw that that went through first 292 00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:39,839 reading. Um, but that one also has some 293 00:13:37,680 --> 00:13:42,480 slight increases in it. So, you know, 294 00:13:39,839 --> 00:13:46,800 considering everything, um, we wanted to 295 00:13:42,480 --> 00:13:48,720 take an approach that, um, would soften 296 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:50,160 the impact to residents. You know, we 297 00:13:48,720 --> 00:13:52,399 don't want to see someone come in and 298 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:54,800 then and then see sudden increases 299 00:13:52,399 --> 00:13:57,680 across the board. So, um, we did look 300 00:13:54,800 --> 00:14:01,920 very carefully at all of our projections 301 00:13:57,680 --> 00:14:04,240 for both revenue and, uh, for expenses. 302 00:14:01,920 --> 00:14:07,760 uh we went line by line making sure that 303 00:14:04,240 --> 00:14:10,079 onetime costs that were in 2025 uh were 304 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:13,519 not being carried forward so uh there 305 00:14:10,079 --> 00:14:16,160 weren't any duplicates. Um 306 00:14:13,519 --> 00:14:19,040 and then you know one of the one of the 307 00:14:16,160 --> 00:14:21,279 principles that we kind of followed um 308 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:24,800 and and one that we carry forward from 309 00:14:21,279 --> 00:14:28,160 the previous CFO is to ensure that we're 310 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:31,440 not relying on surplus funds to fund 311 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:35,199 annual costs. So that's a big one. um 312 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:37,600 you know if if uh ongoing costs are 313 00:14:35,199 --> 00:14:41,360 going up they should be funded um 314 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:43,600 through ongoing revenues um and [snorts] 315 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:45,440 it it took a bit of work and it also 316 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:48,480 required a little bit of work on getting 317 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:50,639 the year end caught up. So there was um 318 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:53,279 there was a period in January where uh 319 00:14:50,639 --> 00:14:56,880 we did have to get November and December 320 00:14:53,279 --> 00:14:59,600 uh numbers kind of as best we could. Um 321 00:14:56,880 --> 00:15:02,959 we still have the year end uh that needs 322 00:14:59,600 --> 00:15:04,639 to be uh well the file needs to get to 323 00:15:02,959 --> 00:15:07,040 the auditors by the end of this week. So 324 00:15:04,639 --> 00:15:10,240 it is still in progress. So the numbers 325 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:13,360 that I'm reporting here on 2025 actual 326 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:17,040 are unodudited and those numbers are 327 00:15:13,360 --> 00:15:18,720 well they will change. Um however I I 328 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:22,959 tried to reflect as best I could what 329 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:25,360 what those changes would be. Um, 330 00:15:22,959 --> 00:15:28,560 so on this slide here that we're on, 331 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:30,959 I'll kind of just go through um some of 332 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:34,160 those items. Uh, we are projecting at 333 00:15:30,959 --> 00:15:37,519 least a surplus of about 325,000. 334 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:40,720 Uh we've allocated those that those 335 00:15:37,519 --> 00:15:44,240 surplus funds to kind of sort of cover 336 00:15:40,720 --> 00:15:45,760 uh now we passed a 2026 to 2030 capital 337 00:15:44,240 --> 00:15:48,320 budget and there was one item in there 338 00:15:45,760 --> 00:15:50,320 for the library roof replacement uh for 339 00:15:48,320 --> 00:15:53,360 13,000 that we said would be funded 340 00:15:50,320 --> 00:15:54,800 through uh surplus. Um so we do have a 341 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:57,600 surplus. So that is in there right 342 00:15:54,800 --> 00:16:00,000 there. Um just one note to make is that 343 00:15:57,600 --> 00:16:02,800 the library board is also contributing 344 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:06,399 uh 50% of the cost of that uh renovation 345 00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:08,160 or that roof replacement. Um some of the 346 00:16:06,399 --> 00:16:11,120 other items that are coming out of 347 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:15,279 surplus to fund the 2026 one-time 348 00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:19,680 expenses uh would be uh 16k for uh 349 00:16:15,279 --> 00:16:22,079 council expenses. uh 26,000 for um 350 00:16:19,680 --> 00:16:25,360 additional costs related to upfront 351 00:16:22,079 --> 00:16:28,720 costs related to uh training new CPOS. 352 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:31,839 Um we've allocated 60,000 for downtown 353 00:16:28,720 --> 00:16:34,800 area restructure plan and supporting 354 00:16:31,839 --> 00:16:36,560 studies. Um now that item there there is 355 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:38,480 there is a possibility that we could get 356 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:41,360 grant funding for that one. However, 357 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:43,519 we're we can't budget for things that we 358 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:46,480 aren't sure we're receiving and grant 359 00:16:43,519 --> 00:16:49,440 operating grants are one of those. Um 360 00:16:46,480 --> 00:16:52,399 and then we also allocated uh 60,000 361 00:16:49,440 --> 00:16:55,120 towards the wage contingency. Um that is 362 00:16:52,399 --> 00:16:58,079 an operating reserve that's set up to uh 363 00:16:55,120 --> 00:17:01,120 cover you know one-time fluctuations and 364 00:16:58,079 --> 00:17:02,880 wages based on events in the year. Um so 365 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:05,280 there's currently 40,000 in that 366 00:17:02,880 --> 00:17:08,400 reserve. So, we would add 60,000 and 367 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:13,039 that is there to be able to draw from if 368 00:17:08,400 --> 00:17:14,959 uh you know uh based on events in 2026. 369 00:17:13,039 --> 00:17:16,720 Um or if we don't need those funds, they 370 00:17:14,959 --> 00:17:19,360 can they can be used in future years as 371 00:17:16,720 --> 00:17:21,439 well. But, uh we've set aside 60,000 for 372 00:17:19,360 --> 00:17:24,000 that. And then obviously these are items 373 00:17:21,439 --> 00:17:26,160 that council would have approval over. 374 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:28,480 Um but we're we're just trying to kind 375 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:31,200 of project out what might be needed in 376 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:34,240 2026, what might be needed even beyond 377 00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:36,480 that. So, the last item there is 150,000 378 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:38,720 set aside for uh landscaping at 379 00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:42,160 Centennial Park, which would uh likely 380 00:17:38,720 --> 00:17:43,600 be a capital item. Um, but I've included 381 00:17:42,160 --> 00:17:45,520 that there just to kind of give you a 382 00:17:43,600 --> 00:17:47,120 full picture and to kind of tie that 383 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:50,960 into 384 00:17:47,120 --> 00:17:52,640 um the the first page in the operating 385 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:56,960 budget that you'll see after the cover 386 00:17:52,640 --> 00:18:00,640 letter. Um the goal was um throughout 387 00:17:56,960 --> 00:18:04,799 this process to get a good idea of 2026 388 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:08,000 to 28 uh focusing mainly on 2026. 389 00:18:04,799 --> 00:18:10,400 Um and again we want to make sure that 390 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:15,120 we're not uh you know borrowing from the 391 00:18:10,400 --> 00:18:17,200 future to um to make 2026 work. So, one 392 00:18:15,120 --> 00:18:19,280 of the main things that I looked at was, 393 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:22,080 you know, how is our transfers to 394 00:18:19,280 --> 00:18:24,080 capital reserves being impacted by a lot 395 00:18:22,080 --> 00:18:26,320 of the changes that we made. So, 396 00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:27,280 » Councelor Avery has a question. 397 00:18:26,320 --> 00:18:29,760 » Yeah. 398 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:32,080 » Thank you, Mayor. Thanks, Tim. Um, this 399 00:18:29,760 --> 00:18:35,039 presentation has now tweaked something 400 00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:38,960 for me and maybe the CEO has the answer, 401 00:18:35,039 --> 00:18:41,280 but um, so why are we asking the library 402 00:18:38,960 --> 00:18:43,360 board to contribute 50% of maintenance 403 00:18:41,280 --> 00:18:47,039 on a building that belongs to the town? 404 00:18:43,360 --> 00:18:49,200 We don't ask that from any other our um 405 00:18:47,039 --> 00:18:51,760 non not forprofit or other organizations 406 00:18:49,200 --> 00:18:55,360 that are using town facilities to pay 407 00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:57,919 for repairs, i.e. the hub. Um I don't 408 00:18:55,360 --> 00:19:00,400 see anything in there where we're asking 409 00:18:57,919 --> 00:19:02,640 um that organization to pay for roof 410 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:05,440 repairs. So I'm just wondering why u 411 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:09,799 we're not budgeting fully for this and 412 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:09,799 asking library board to contribute. 413 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:15,280 Uh maybe the CO has a better response 414 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:17,120 than I do, but I I do believe that as 415 00:19:15,280 --> 00:19:19,600 far as municipalities and funding 416 00:19:17,120 --> 00:19:21,760 libraries go, um the town of Coldell 417 00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:24,160 does fund a lot more than other 418 00:19:21,760 --> 00:19:28,080 municipalities typically do. Um I don't 419 00:19:24,160 --> 00:19:33,559 know if that's correct or not, so maybe 420 00:19:28,080 --> 00:19:33,559 or I think Russ might have an idea here. 421 00:19:35,738 --> 00:19:37,758 [clears throat] 422 00:19:40,480 --> 00:19:43,679 Thank you. Uh, thank you for the 423 00:19:41,679 --> 00:19:46,320 question. It's a good question. Um, and 424 00:19:43,679 --> 00:19:47,760 I don't have what funding it would be in 425 00:19:46,320 --> 00:19:49,919 front of me. I don't have that 426 00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:51,600 information, but oftent times when we're 427 00:19:49,919 --> 00:19:54,880 dealing with these third parties and 428 00:19:51,600 --> 00:19:56,720 especially uh not profit organizations, 429 00:19:54,880 --> 00:19:59,200 they have access to funding. Sometimes 430 00:19:56,720 --> 00:20:00,960 we don't. And so we sometimes partner 431 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:02,799 with them on whether it's grants and 432 00:20:00,960 --> 00:20:04,880 things like that. And I don't know where 433 00:20:02,799 --> 00:20:06,160 this money particular is coming from. We 434 00:20:04,880 --> 00:20:08,160 can look into that, but I would 435 00:20:06,160 --> 00:20:12,840 anticipate that it's a funding source 436 00:20:08,160 --> 00:20:12,840 like that. You bet. 437 00:20:17,003 --> 00:20:19,023 [clears throat] 438 00:20:19,039 --> 00:20:23,200 » Mayor Ethan. 439 00:20:20,720 --> 00:20:26,320 » Uh thank you, Mayor, and through to Tim 440 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:29,679 and Russ. Um just on that on that note, 441 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:33,039 um the board has been the roof has been 442 00:20:29,679 --> 00:20:35,760 um a a concern of ours for the last few 443 00:20:33,039 --> 00:20:37,440 years. uh we had financial uncertainty 444 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:40,159 within the board knowing that we had to 445 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:41,440 contribute 50% and I was myself curious 446 00:20:40,159 --> 00:20:43,919 about that. So I appreciate councelor 447 00:20:41,440 --> 00:20:46,080 Avery asking that question was now was 448 00:20:43,919 --> 00:20:47,679 the the year that we finally had 449 00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:49,200 certainty with what our board budget was 450 00:20:47,679 --> 00:20:50,640 that we could go forward with that. So I 451 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:54,159 know we've been held up because of what 452 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:56,000 our contribution has been. So I it's a 453 00:20:54,159 --> 00:20:58,720 very good question as to why it was 454 00:20:56,000 --> 00:21:02,000 contingent on the board. So that just 455 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:03,679 just a comment. Thank you. 456 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:07,120 » Okay. Yep. Thank you for the question. 457 00:21:03,679 --> 00:21:10,080 Um, and you know, this is definitely one 458 00:21:07,120 --> 00:21:12,240 of those items that we don't have to uh 459 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:14,799 have an answer for right away. Um, these 460 00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:17,280 are items surplus items are, you know, a 461 00:21:14,799 --> 00:21:19,120 discussion that we'll have when the 462 00:21:17,280 --> 00:21:22,400 draft financial statements are prepared. 463 00:21:19,120 --> 00:21:25,360 Um, I'm expecting them uh closer to the 464 00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:29,120 end of April. So uh we do have some time 465 00:21:25,360 --> 00:21:31,039 to you know uh to uh look at what the 466 00:21:29,120 --> 00:21:33,360 actual surplus figure is and then and 467 00:21:31,039 --> 00:21:37,039 then maybe there there isn't a need for 468 00:21:33,360 --> 00:21:38,720 the library board contribution there and 469 00:21:37,039 --> 00:21:43,320 that is a decision that council can make 470 00:21:38,720 --> 00:21:43,320 at that time. Yeah. 471 00:21:46,880 --> 00:21:51,760 Okay. So um I so yeah I I just wanted to 472 00:21:50,400 --> 00:21:53,840 kind of go through our budgeting 473 00:21:51,760 --> 00:21:56,159 approach for this year. um just so you 474 00:21:53,840 --> 00:21:58,559 kind of understood how 475 00:21:56,159 --> 00:22:01,360 what our goals were what what but we are 476 00:21:58,559 --> 00:22:04,480 trying to uh achieve with the 2026 477 00:22:01,360 --> 00:22:07,200 operating budget. Um with that I'll kind 478 00:22:04,480 --> 00:22:09,440 of just jump into the beginning of the 479 00:22:07,200 --> 00:22:12,720 draft operating budget. Um now there is 480 00:22:09,440 --> 00:22:14,400 a cover letter attached. Um I'll kind of 481 00:22:12,720 --> 00:22:16,400 go through some of the key points here 482 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:19,600 so that you know because this kind of 483 00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:24,159 feeds into the next well the first page 484 00:22:19,600 --> 00:22:27,440 of the operating draft budget. Um now 485 00:22:24,159 --> 00:22:30,080 the 2026 fiscal year has been balanced 486 00:22:27,440 --> 00:22:33,120 and it does assume a 0% net increase to 487 00:22:30,080 --> 00:22:34,640 residential property taxes. Um meanwhile 488 00:22:33,120 --> 00:22:37,280 the tax rate for non-residential 489 00:22:34,640 --> 00:22:40,880 properties uh is we have it set to 490 00:22:37,280 --> 00:22:44,400 remain static at $10 for every $1,000 in 491 00:22:40,880 --> 00:22:46,640 assessed value or at a mill rate of 10. 492 00:22:44,400 --> 00:22:50,400 Um which we have done the past couple of 493 00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:52,640 years. uh fiscal years 2027 and 2028 uh 494 00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:55,360 which can be evaluated as part of next 495 00:22:52,640 --> 00:22:57,440 year's budget. Um they have also been 496 00:22:55,360 --> 00:23:00,880 balanced as well. Uh but there are some 497 00:22:57,440 --> 00:23:04,960 key items in 27 and 28 um that council 498 00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:06,640 should kind of keep in mind as we um you 499 00:23:04,960 --> 00:23:08,480 know as we also look at look through 500 00:23:06,640 --> 00:23:11,039 2026. 501 00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:12,880 Um some of the key items that I would 502 00:23:11,039 --> 00:23:17,039 like to highlight before we get into the 503 00:23:12,880 --> 00:23:20,559 budget are that um you know a lot of the 504 00:23:17,039 --> 00:23:23,679 elements of this budget um were 505 00:23:20,559 --> 00:23:26,799 reworked. So we we rather than relying 506 00:23:23,679 --> 00:23:28,640 on you know the previous CFO's data and 507 00:23:26,799 --> 00:23:31,600 his assumptions that he may have had 508 00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:34,799 when developing the budget um you know 509 00:23:31,600 --> 00:23:37,919 we kind of uh it was important for 510 00:23:34,799 --> 00:23:40,720 myself personally to really understand 511 00:23:37,919 --> 00:23:42,880 where these numbers are coming from and 512 00:23:40,720 --> 00:23:45,200 um 513 00:23:42,880 --> 00:23:47,679 uh and so it did take a little bit more 514 00:23:45,200 --> 00:23:50,960 work to to actually go back to the 515 00:23:47,679 --> 00:23:54,080 source right to um take uh you know for 516 00:23:50,960 --> 00:23:56,000 example for for property taxes, we we 517 00:23:54,080 --> 00:23:58,400 need to update those annually and we get 518 00:23:56,000 --> 00:24:00,080 assessment values from our assessor uh 519 00:23:58,400 --> 00:24:02,240 and then we use those estimates to kind 520 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:04,720 of project out. Um so it was important 521 00:24:02,240 --> 00:24:07,919 to kind of go through all of that um for 522 00:24:04,720 --> 00:24:12,559 each of the different areas. Um, I will 523 00:24:07,919 --> 00:24:14,400 say that uh as far as like uh time 524 00:24:12,559 --> 00:24:17,120 management and where I focus most of my 525 00:24:14,400 --> 00:24:19,919 time, uh it would relate back to the 526 00:24:17,120 --> 00:24:22,400 first presentation on February 9th where 527 00:24:19,919 --> 00:24:24,880 we kind of looked at sort of those four 528 00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:28,640 three or four largest revenue items, 529 00:24:24,880 --> 00:24:31,520 right? you have taxes, uh, utilities, 530 00:24:28,640 --> 00:24:34,400 uh, rates and fees, and then you also 531 00:24:31,520 --> 00:24:37,039 have franchise fees. And, and so I did 532 00:24:34,400 --> 00:24:40,559 make sure I spent more of my time in 533 00:24:37,039 --> 00:24:43,039 those larger areas so that, you know, I 534 00:24:40,559 --> 00:24:46,640 was to have to develop more confidence 535 00:24:43,039 --> 00:24:49,039 in in what the numbers were. Um so for 536 00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:52,240 revenue forecasts uh supplemental tax 537 00:24:49,039 --> 00:24:54,480 revenues um we did look at uh building 538 00:24:52,240 --> 00:25:00,159 permit values subdivision fees the 539 00:24:54,480 --> 00:25:02,080 growth um and and we adjusted those um 540 00:25:00,159 --> 00:25:05,600 rather than just carrying forward you 541 00:25:02,080 --> 00:25:09,200 know a 3% increase or 5% increase or you 542 00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:12,159 know um we we tried to really um get an 543 00:25:09,200 --> 00:25:15,600 understanding of of those revenue items. 544 00:25:12,159 --> 00:25:18,240 Um the town is in a growth phase. Um I 545 00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:20,640 was curious. So last night I did look at 546 00:25:18,240 --> 00:25:23,919 uh when I first started at the town in 547 00:25:20,640 --> 00:25:25,600 2018. Previous to that I worked at um an 548 00:25:23,919 --> 00:25:27,279 accounting firm where I was also the 549 00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:28,960 auditor of the town of Coldell. So I was 550 00:25:27,279 --> 00:25:31,840 curious. I looked at 2015 financial 551 00:25:28,960 --> 00:25:33,840 statements very quickly. Um and it was 552 00:25:31,840 --> 00:25:36,400 interesting to see that in 2015 the town 553 00:25:33,840 --> 00:25:38,880 of Coldell budgeted uh 13 million for 554 00:25:36,400 --> 00:25:42,480 revenues. Um so that was an interesting 555 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:45,840 number. Um wages were about 4.5 million. 556 00:25:42,480 --> 00:25:47,520 Um and so yeah, it it was pretty amazing 557 00:25:45,840 --> 00:25:51,600 to see the amount of growth that has 558 00:25:47,520 --> 00:25:55,360 happened in in you know 10 years. So 559 00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:57,279 um and and I think based on the data 560 00:25:55,360 --> 00:26:01,520 that we're looking at, the town is still 561 00:25:57,279 --> 00:26:03,840 growing um and so will the revenues 562 00:26:01,520 --> 00:26:06,320 associated with growth. uh user fees, 563 00:26:03,840 --> 00:26:08,720 franchise fees, consumption, uh 564 00:26:06,320 --> 00:26:11,440 assessment values, all these help 565 00:26:08,720 --> 00:26:13,200 balance some of the offsetting impact uh 566 00:26:11,440 --> 00:26:15,600 that you see in like corresponding 567 00:26:13,200 --> 00:26:17,679 revenue or rising expenses. So, you 568 00:26:15,600 --> 00:26:20,799 know, [snorts] uh we looked at uh 569 00:26:17,679 --> 00:26:22,960 various benchmarking or comparisons in 570 00:26:20,799 --> 00:26:26,400 the first meeting, you know, wages as a 571 00:26:22,960 --> 00:26:27,760 percent of tax revenue. uh we looked at 572 00:26:26,400 --> 00:26:30,480 you know what are your contracted 573 00:26:27,760 --> 00:26:33,360 services and other major categories as a 574 00:26:30,480 --> 00:26:36,159 percentage of your total revenues. Um 575 00:26:33,360 --> 00:26:38,480 that all helps us to to achieve balance. 576 00:26:36,159 --> 00:26:40,000 Um so growth helps offset some of those 577 00:26:38,480 --> 00:26:44,080 increases that you have in in 578 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:47,840 year-over-year costs. Um 579 00:26:44,080 --> 00:26:49,600 uh as far as tax assessments go uh we we 580 00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:52,480 are provided with actual assessment 581 00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:54,240 numbers. um and the fact that we sort of 582 00:26:52,480 --> 00:26:56,880 the numbers that we received in 583 00:26:54,240 --> 00:26:58,000 November, December um were a little bit 584 00:26:56,880 --> 00:27:00,240 different than the numbers that we 585 00:26:58,000 --> 00:27:02,320 received in February, but we we made 586 00:27:00,240 --> 00:27:05,279 sure to use the most updated forecasts 587 00:27:02,320 --> 00:27:08,159 in in our numbers. 588 00:27:05,279 --> 00:27:10,720 Um now this next part, uh until that 589 00:27:08,159 --> 00:27:13,520 until that fees and rates bylaw is 590 00:27:10,720 --> 00:27:15,840 passed, um you know, there is a 2% 591 00:27:13,520 --> 00:27:17,840 increase. It it's it won't have a huge 592 00:27:15,840 --> 00:27:20,880 impact on the budget. So regardless of 593 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:22,640 whether that um changes, I I don't 594 00:27:20,880 --> 00:27:25,378 believe it will impact what you see in 595 00:27:22,640 --> 00:27:25,919 front of you for 2026. 596 00:27:25,378 --> 00:27:29,760 [snorts] 597 00:27:25,919 --> 00:27:34,240 Um expenses were adjusted uh based on 598 00:27:29,760 --> 00:27:37,200 known events as of February 20th um to 599 00:27:34,240 --> 00:27:39,200 enhance precision and accuracy. So a few 600 00:27:37,200 --> 00:27:41,279 of those items, you know, we had a full 601 00:27:39,200 --> 00:27:45,919 year of costs for, you know, natural 602 00:27:41,279 --> 00:27:49,279 gas, electricity. Um we received uh the 603 00:27:45,919 --> 00:27:51,760 2026 invoices for insurance. Um so those 604 00:27:49,279 --> 00:27:53,840 are actual numbers. Um the only 605 00:27:51,760 --> 00:27:55,840 projections within say for example 606 00:27:53,840 --> 00:27:58,559 insurance and some of the utilities is 607 00:27:55,840 --> 00:28:01,279 that um you know we have new facilities 608 00:27:58,559 --> 00:28:02,559 that will be coming online in 2026. So 609 00:28:01,279 --> 00:28:04,159 that includes the potable water 610 00:28:02,559 --> 00:28:06,000 reservoir 611 00:28:04,159 --> 00:28:08,480 um 612 00:28:06,000 --> 00:28:10,720 as well as the storm water management 613 00:28:08,480 --> 00:28:12,640 facility. Um and then for insurance 614 00:28:10,720 --> 00:28:15,039 purposes we we do still need to look 615 00:28:12,640 --> 00:28:18,480 into some items but there there are more 616 00:28:15,039 --> 00:28:20,559 assets coming online that we um we need 617 00:28:18,480 --> 00:28:22,240 to forecast for. So there is a slight 618 00:28:20,559 --> 00:28:27,679 increase in insurance across the board 619 00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:30,399 and that that is a reason for that. Um, 620 00:28:27,679 --> 00:28:32,399 now as I mentioned earlier, we we 621 00:28:30,399 --> 00:28:35,200 monitor the transfer to capital reserves 622 00:28:32,399 --> 00:28:37,600 because you kind of you you almost want 623 00:28:35,200 --> 00:28:39,679 to see that increase year-over-year um 624 00:28:37,600 --> 00:28:41,440 to prepare for, you know, you're growing 625 00:28:39,679 --> 00:28:44,640 your assets, you're investing more in 626 00:28:41,440 --> 00:28:47,440 your capital assets. Um, I've worked on 627 00:28:44,640 --> 00:28:49,440 the annual report for the last 5 years 628 00:28:47,440 --> 00:28:54,080 and and one comment that I make in there 629 00:28:49,440 --> 00:28:58,000 is that the town of Coldell has been um 630 00:28:54,080 --> 00:29:00,960 uh investing more than $15 million a 631 00:28:58,000 --> 00:29:05,120 year in in its tangible capital assets. 632 00:29:00,960 --> 00:29:06,480 So um as that number grows uh so should 633 00:29:05,120 --> 00:29:09,760 the amount that you put away for 634 00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:12,240 reserves and for being prepared for um 635 00:29:09,760 --> 00:29:15,440 you know operating costs, life cycle 636 00:29:12,240 --> 00:29:19,679 costs, unexpected um 637 00:29:15,440 --> 00:29:21,840 uh unexpected costs. Um so we used a 638 00:29:19,679 --> 00:29:24,080 zerobased budgeting approach for many of 639 00:29:21,840 --> 00:29:25,840 the line items. Um you'll see that 640 00:29:24,080 --> 00:29:28,080 there's there's going to be several 641 00:29:25,840 --> 00:29:30,640 allocation changes. One for example is 642 00:29:28,080 --> 00:29:34,559 insurance. um insurance has kind of gone 643 00:29:30,640 --> 00:29:37,520 up across the board. Um facilities are 644 00:29:34,559 --> 00:29:39,520 um the way the previous CFO had had had 645 00:29:37,520 --> 00:29:42,399 allocated is slightly different than the 646 00:29:39,520 --> 00:29:45,200 way I had allocated. Um 647 00:29:42,399 --> 00:29:48,080 but it doesn't uh if you look at it as 648 00:29:45,200 --> 00:29:51,200 an overall basis. Um 649 00:29:48,080 --> 00:29:53,440 that should hopefully explain why why in 650 00:29:51,200 --> 00:29:58,240 some departments you might see insurance 651 00:29:53,440 --> 00:30:00,799 go up but in others it goes down. Um 652 00:29:58,240 --> 00:30:03,600 and so that is one of those allocation 653 00:30:00,799 --> 00:30:07,440 changes. Um along with wages. So wages 654 00:30:03,600 --> 00:30:10,240 and salaries. Um 655 00:30:07,440 --> 00:30:12,640 I believe we we touch on it. Oh, maybe 656 00:30:10,240 --> 00:30:15,120 not. Um 657 00:30:12,640 --> 00:30:18,880 so yeah, wages and salaries is one of 658 00:30:15,120 --> 00:30:20,880 those uh organizationwide items that we 659 00:30:18,880 --> 00:30:24,159 looked at and built from the ground up. 660 00:30:20,880 --> 00:30:27,679 Um Ashley Crab to thank for her help in 661 00:30:24,159 --> 00:30:30,559 in that. Um it was a lot of work um to 662 00:30:27,679 --> 00:30:36,000 to get the the full list of employees 663 00:30:30,559 --> 00:30:39,760 project out um you know um 664 00:30:36,000 --> 00:30:40,960 benefits uh deductions all of that uh 665 00:30:39,760 --> 00:30:43,440 across the board for the whole 666 00:30:40,960 --> 00:30:47,360 organization. Um but that has been 667 00:30:43,440 --> 00:30:49,279 worked into the 2026 and then with um 668 00:30:47,360 --> 00:30:52,880 based on the new collective agreement 669 00:30:49,279 --> 00:30:55,440 and and uh cost of living increases 670 00:30:52,880 --> 00:30:58,000 those that is one item where we have 671 00:30:55,440 --> 00:31:01,200 tried to to project out maybe not new 672 00:30:58,000 --> 00:31:04,080 positions for 27 or 28 but at least for 673 00:31:01,200 --> 00:31:06,080 uh cost of living um we have a good base 674 00:31:04,080 --> 00:31:08,720 and an understanding of those numbers 675 00:31:06,080 --> 00:31:10,960 for 2026. 676 00:31:08,720 --> 00:31:12,880 um 677 00:31:10,960 --> 00:31:15,679 two of the most significant drivers 678 00:31:12,880 --> 00:31:18,080 behind the increase in the 2026 679 00:31:15,679 --> 00:31:20,720 operating budget revenues 680 00:31:18,080 --> 00:31:26,080 um and expenses compared to fiscal year 681 00:31:20,720 --> 00:31:29,120 2025 are um so number one would be uh 682 00:31:26,080 --> 00:31:33,919 the cost of the town's potable water um 683 00:31:29,120 --> 00:31:36,080 utilities. So whereas our consumption 684 00:31:33,919 --> 00:31:38,399 charges went up as a result of changes 685 00:31:36,080 --> 00:31:40,399 made by the city uh effective January 686 00:31:38,399 --> 00:31:42,960 1st, 2026, 687 00:31:40,399 --> 00:31:46,080 um so did the revenues as a result of 688 00:31:42,960 --> 00:31:48,320 those changes. Um when I ran those 689 00:31:46,080 --> 00:31:50,720 numbers, I tried to account for the fact 690 00:31:48,320 --> 00:31:52,720 that if you increase the rates for 691 00:31:50,720 --> 00:31:56,559 consumption, you know, residents might 692 00:31:52,720 --> 00:31:58,799 respond by not using as much water. So I 693 00:31:56,559 --> 00:32:01,440 didn't project a too large of an 694 00:31:58,799 --> 00:32:05,120 increase in consumption. Um and then as 695 00:32:01,440 --> 00:32:07,279 well I did note that we are making those 696 00:32:05,120 --> 00:32:10,640 rate changes effective as of April 1st. 697 00:32:07,279 --> 00:32:15,120 So I I did uh adjust that as well um for 698 00:32:10,640 --> 00:32:18,720 the revenue side. Um and then along with 699 00:32:15,120 --> 00:32:21,440 the the water rate charges um municipal 700 00:32:18,720 --> 00:32:23,279 facilities also use water. Um so those 701 00:32:21,440 --> 00:32:25,840 charges had to go up. So when you see 702 00:32:23,279 --> 00:32:28,320 the M municipal utility line item that 703 00:32:25,840 --> 00:32:33,279 is our cost of water going up as a 704 00:32:28,320 --> 00:32:35,760 result of these rates going up. Um 705 00:32:33,279 --> 00:32:38,159 a close second uh in terms of relative 706 00:32:35,760 --> 00:32:40,720 impact on the town's budget is the 707 00:32:38,159 --> 00:32:44,000 growth of uh the town's non-residential 708 00:32:40,720 --> 00:32:46,880 assessment base. Um however much of that 709 00:32:44,000 --> 00:32:49,120 revenue um associated with assessment 710 00:32:46,880 --> 00:32:52,240 growth it will not be available or 711 00:32:49,120 --> 00:32:53,919 accessible in fiscal years 26 27 and 28 712 00:32:52,240 --> 00:32:56,640 due to the town's industrial park 713 00:32:53,919 --> 00:33:00,320 incentive strategy. Um so while you see 714 00:32:56,640 --> 00:33:05,039 the revenues uh go up significantly uh 715 00:33:00,320 --> 00:33:07,279 on the revenue side um it's actually 716 00:33:05,039 --> 00:33:09,919 uh with the incentive you may you you 717 00:33:07,279 --> 00:33:12,559 will not recognize or be able to uh 718 00:33:09,919 --> 00:33:16,799 utilize those revenues until um that 719 00:33:12,559 --> 00:33:20,480 incentive program uh expires. 720 00:33:16,799 --> 00:33:22,880 Um a portion of the town's 2025 surplus 721 00:33:20,480 --> 00:33:25,519 uh which we can't finalize until after 722 00:33:22,880 --> 00:33:28,880 our year end is complete. Um although we 723 00:33:25,519 --> 00:33:31,200 are getting there. Um we made sure that 724 00:33:28,880 --> 00:33:34,000 the surplus was only used for one-time 725 00:33:31,200 --> 00:33:36,880 expenses unique to fiscal year 2026. We 726 00:33:34,000 --> 00:33:40,159 didn't use uh estimated surplus amounts 727 00:33:36,880 --> 00:33:44,559 to balance the budget or to fund ongoing 728 00:33:40,159 --> 00:33:46,320 expenditures. Um this uh enabled us to 729 00:33:44,559 --> 00:33:48,880 build in expenses without needing to 730 00:33:46,320 --> 00:33:52,000 rely on any tax support in 2026 to do 731 00:33:48,880 --> 00:33:55,519 so. Um the proposed one-time expenses 732 00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:56,960 I've listed out um and summarized in the 733 00:33:55,519 --> 00:34:00,640 first two pages of the budget 734 00:33:56,960 --> 00:34:02,880 presentation. Um and and I will be going 735 00:34:00,640 --> 00:34:07,600 through each of those or I kind of have 736 00:34:02,880 --> 00:34:10,480 been as well. Um but um they are subject 737 00:34:07,600 --> 00:34:13,839 to council's approval. So, if you if you 738 00:34:10,480 --> 00:34:17,440 any of those one-time um increases or 739 00:34:13,839 --> 00:34:19,119 expenses that you note, um you uh yeah, 740 00:34:17,440 --> 00:34:21,679 please feel free to ask questions on any 741 00:34:19,119 --> 00:34:23,200 of those as they come up. 742 00:34:21,679 --> 00:34:24,800 Um 743 00:34:23,200 --> 00:34:26,879 whether or not those items are approved 744 00:34:24,800 --> 00:34:29,280 or not will should not affect the bottom 745 00:34:26,879 --> 00:34:31,520 line uh or the amount of tax support 746 00:34:29,280 --> 00:34:34,159 required to balance the budget. Um, 747 00:34:31,520 --> 00:34:37,200 alternatively, council can table some or 748 00:34:34,159 --> 00:34:39,280 all of these expenses until after 749 00:34:37,200 --> 00:34:43,919 um the fiscal year is audited and 750 00:34:39,280 --> 00:34:48,480 complete. So, until we have a final um 751 00:34:43,919 --> 00:34:51,520 audited surplus number, um we can wait 752 00:34:48,480 --> 00:34:54,800 to uh approve those and and that 753 00:34:51,520 --> 00:34:57,920 includes um those that library um amount 754 00:34:54,800 --> 00:35:00,640 that we had set aside. 755 00:34:57,920 --> 00:35:02,960 Uh so again, I kind of went through this 756 00:35:00,640 --> 00:35:04,560 already, but we had set aside one-time 757 00:35:02,960 --> 00:35:07,200 costs for training new CPOS, the 758 00:35:04,560 --> 00:35:09,520 downtown revitalization study, uh the 759 00:35:07,200 --> 00:35:13,599 roof replacement, landscaping, uh 760 00:35:09,520 --> 00:35:16,800 council chambers, um and then uh asset 761 00:35:13,599 --> 00:35:19,440 management software for 2027. So that 762 00:35:16,800 --> 00:35:21,839 will be a big focus uh moving forward. 763 00:35:19,440 --> 00:35:25,280 Uh we might we likely don't have 764 00:35:21,839 --> 00:35:27,119 capacity in 2026 to to start any of 765 00:35:25,280 --> 00:35:29,839 that. Um, however, asset management 766 00:35:27,119 --> 00:35:33,200 software will be a big help in in being 767 00:35:29,839 --> 00:35:35,920 able to, um, you know, create scenarios, 768 00:35:33,200 --> 00:35:37,839 um, plug in life cycle costs and and 769 00:35:35,920 --> 00:35:39,760 find out optimal kind of maintenance 770 00:35:37,839 --> 00:35:42,400 strategies across all of our, uh, 771 00:35:39,760 --> 00:35:43,920 classes of assets. Um, it's something 772 00:35:42,400 --> 00:35:47,320 that you just can't simply do in an 773 00:35:43,920 --> 00:35:47,320 Excel spreadsheet. 774 00:35:49,520 --> 00:35:55,680 uh for dementures interestonly payments 775 00:35:53,280 --> 00:35:59,760 uh this is related to the acquisition of 776 00:35:55,680 --> 00:36:03,359 water rights. Um now water rights um are 777 00:35:59,760 --> 00:36:06,880 are valuable asset um intangible asset. 778 00:36:03,359 --> 00:36:08,800 They they go up in value um there is an 779 00:36:06,880 --> 00:36:12,880 opportunity to purchase water rights. Uh 780 00:36:08,800 --> 00:36:16,640 we have budgeted in this 2026 28 budget 781 00:36:12,880 --> 00:36:19,760 um a 5-year uh interestonly 782 00:36:16,640 --> 00:36:23,040 uh loan. Uh like I mentioned earlier, we 783 00:36:19,760 --> 00:36:24,800 do have, you know, some revenue items uh 784 00:36:23,040 --> 00:36:27,200 from the incentive program that will be 785 00:36:24,800 --> 00:36:30,160 available further on down the line. And 786 00:36:27,200 --> 00:36:32,960 and so I would um the recommendation 787 00:36:30,160 --> 00:36:34,880 here is to, you know, finance that now 788 00:36:32,960 --> 00:36:36,960 and then and then wait for the future 789 00:36:34,880 --> 00:36:41,119 growth revenues to come in to be able to 790 00:36:36,960 --> 00:36:44,400 fund that into the future. 791 00:36:41,119 --> 00:36:47,040 Uh okay, so new items. The the draft 792 00:36:44,400 --> 00:36:49,040 2026 operating budget includes a few new 793 00:36:47,040 --> 00:36:51,040 items, some that were previously 794 00:36:49,040 --> 00:36:54,720 discussed at the most recent strategic 795 00:36:51,040 --> 00:36:58,000 planning retreat of council. Um, built 796 00:36:54,720 --> 00:37:00,320 into the 2026 budget is $100,000 per 797 00:36:58,000 --> 00:37:03,520 year placed into a reserve for a future 798 00:37:00,320 --> 00:37:06,640 though unspecified recreational project. 799 00:37:03,520 --> 00:37:09,760 Uh, $25,000 capital reserve starting in 800 00:37:06,640 --> 00:37:12,160 2027 for the town's rail spur. Um, now 801 00:37:09,760 --> 00:37:14,079 that is a new asset. However, it's good 802 00:37:12,160 --> 00:37:16,960 to kind of start building up a reserve 803 00:37:14,079 --> 00:37:20,560 for that for unexpected life cycle costs 804 00:37:16,960 --> 00:37:22,745 or uh unexpected costs that come up as 805 00:37:20,560 --> 00:37:23,599 as this is fairly new for the town. 806 00:37:22,745 --> 00:37:26,320 [snorts] 807 00:37:23,599 --> 00:37:28,640 Uh there is 10,000 per year that's built 808 00:37:26,320 --> 00:37:32,160 in for replacing the fire equipment 809 00:37:28,640 --> 00:37:36,160 that's used by the fire academy. Um 810 00:37:32,160 --> 00:37:38,400 and the last item I have here is an 811 00:37:36,160 --> 00:37:40,800 assistant library position that um was 812 00:37:38,400 --> 00:37:42,320 presented earlier by the Coldell Library 813 00:37:40,800 --> 00:37:46,320 Board. [snorts] 814 00:37:42,320 --> 00:37:48,480 Uh future considerations. Uh so the the 815 00:37:46,320 --> 00:37:50,720 total amount of funds that we have set 816 00:37:48,480 --> 00:37:53,680 aside uh as transferred into capital 817 00:37:50,720 --> 00:37:55,119 reserves for 2026 is just over 2.2 818 00:37:53,680 --> 00:37:59,119 million. 819 00:37:55,119 --> 00:38:01,839 Um, that's not including amounts set 820 00:37:59,119 --> 00:38:03,760 aside to capital for ongoing programs. 821 00:38:01,839 --> 00:38:06,240 For example, that doesn't include the 822 00:38:03,760 --> 00:38:09,920 500,000 for the roads program, 200,000 823 00:38:06,240 --> 00:38:12,480 for the sewer relining um or um amounts 824 00:38:09,920 --> 00:38:14,240 that need to come out of current uh 825 00:38:12,480 --> 00:38:18,320 operating revenues to fund current 826 00:38:14,240 --> 00:38:22,400 capital items. Um this is uh future 827 00:38:18,320 --> 00:38:24,000 funds set aside for future purposes. Um, 828 00:38:22,400 --> 00:38:25,920 however, like I mentioned earlier, the 829 00:38:24,000 --> 00:38:29,040 number of assets owned by the town only 830 00:38:25,920 --> 00:38:31,920 continues to grow. Um, and and so does 831 00:38:29,040 --> 00:38:33,760 the age of our existing assets. Um, 832 00:38:31,920 --> 00:38:36,000 while year-over-year increases represent 833 00:38:33,760 --> 00:38:39,119 a positive starting point. Uh, looking 834 00:38:36,000 --> 00:38:40,800 ahead, the focus of 2027 will be the 835 00:38:39,119 --> 00:38:43,440 development of a more robust and 836 00:38:40,800 --> 00:38:45,520 data-driven asset management plan and a 837 00:38:43,440 --> 00:38:48,640 reserve strategy uh that will allow 838 00:38:45,520 --> 00:38:51,680 council to establish longer range goals. 839 00:38:48,640 --> 00:38:54,640 Um look at um 840 00:38:51,680 --> 00:38:59,040 uh look at developing longer range goals 841 00:38:54,640 --> 00:39:02,800 and and and financial um projections and 842 00:38:59,040 --> 00:39:04,720 statements and and to be able to 843 00:39:02,800 --> 00:39:07,280 identify those replacements that are 844 00:39:04,720 --> 00:39:09,920 coming down the line and to be able to 845 00:39:07,280 --> 00:39:13,920 prioritize those based on uh what what 846 00:39:09,920 --> 00:39:16,320 council determines is is uh critical. 847 00:39:13,920 --> 00:39:18,720 Uh in the event that council wishes to 848 00:39:16,320 --> 00:39:20,800 amend or reduce the newly identified 849 00:39:18,720 --> 00:39:22,720 capital reserve allocations that I've 850 00:39:20,800 --> 00:39:25,520 noted, uh administration's 851 00:39:22,720 --> 00:39:28,320 recommendation is to reallocate those to 852 00:39:25,520 --> 00:39:32,079 other reserves um rather than to use 853 00:39:28,320 --> 00:39:34,960 them for uh you know other expenses. 854 00:39:32,079 --> 00:39:41,040 Uh with that that's summarizes some of 855 00:39:34,960 --> 00:39:42,640 the key points of the budget. Um, now I 856 00:39:41,040 --> 00:39:44,400 I hope you brought your magnifying 857 00:39:42,640 --> 00:39:46,400 glass. [laughter] 858 00:39:44,400 --> 00:39:51,560 I there was no way to really I guess I 859 00:39:46,400 --> 00:39:51,560 could have tried to split this out. Um, 860 00:39:52,160 --> 00:39:56,640 what I will do is kind of summarize this 861 00:39:54,000 --> 00:40:01,280 page quickly. So, this is this is the 862 00:39:56,640 --> 00:40:04,320 2026 to 28 budget. Um, but slotted in 863 00:40:01,280 --> 00:40:06,000 there are kind of our best estimate for 864 00:40:04,320 --> 00:40:08,240 2025 865 00:40:06,000 --> 00:40:10,720 um unodudited number. So you can kind of 866 00:40:08,240 --> 00:40:13,839 see where you know what did we project 867 00:40:10,720 --> 00:40:17,680 or budget for 2025 uh where do we think 868 00:40:13,839 --> 00:40:20,960 we'll be and and an explanation of some 869 00:40:17,680 --> 00:40:24,000 of those differences. So um and I 870 00:40:20,960 --> 00:40:26,800 included 2024 column there that's 2024 871 00:40:24,000 --> 00:40:29,680 budget um just to just so you can see 872 00:40:26,800 --> 00:40:32,240 the the incremental growth even from 873 00:40:29,680 --> 00:40:34,880 2024 to 25 was a pretty significant 874 00:40:32,240 --> 00:40:37,280 jump. Um, and then you can see from 25 875 00:40:34,880 --> 00:40:39,760 to 26 that's there is also another 876 00:40:37,280 --> 00:40:42,079 significant jump and and I'll try my 877 00:40:39,760 --> 00:40:45,760 best to kind of explain 878 00:40:42,079 --> 00:40:47,839 the reasons why. Um, 879 00:40:45,760 --> 00:40:49,680 so I really like how this is broken out 880 00:40:47,839 --> 00:40:52,079 because you rather than looking at 881 00:40:49,680 --> 00:40:54,800 department by department, um, just as a 882 00:40:52,079 --> 00:40:57,359 note, I I did include department by 883 00:40:54,800 --> 00:41:01,119 department, budget, line by budget line 884 00:40:57,359 --> 00:41:03,520 information in in an attempt to, um, be 885 00:41:01,119 --> 00:41:07,520 transparent, show the work, um, show how 886 00:41:03,520 --> 00:41:10,000 everything balances out. Um however this 887 00:41:07,520 --> 00:41:13,040 slide here kind of shows you from the 888 00:41:10,000 --> 00:41:15,040 highle view um of our organization what 889 00:41:13,040 --> 00:41:17,760 are our sources of revenue what are 890 00:41:15,040 --> 00:41:21,200 those major sources that council can uh 891 00:41:17,760 --> 00:41:24,000 adjust to uh sort of get the balance or 892 00:41:21,200 --> 00:41:25,839 get the budget to balance um and so 893 00:41:24,000 --> 00:41:28,000 revenues are broken out by type as well 894 00:41:25,839 --> 00:41:30,079 as expenses. So you can see 895 00:41:28,000 --> 00:41:32,160 year-over-year what are we budgeting 896 00:41:30,079 --> 00:41:34,880 for, you know, salaries as a whole for 897 00:41:32,160 --> 00:41:36,319 the town, um contracted services, 898 00:41:34,880 --> 00:41:38,000 everything else. What are what are our 899 00:41:36,319 --> 00:41:41,280 principal debt repayments and interest 900 00:41:38,000 --> 00:41:42,960 look like? Um and then as well, you 901 00:41:41,280 --> 00:41:45,839 know, what are we budgeting for reserves 902 00:41:42,960 --> 00:41:49,440 year-over-year or transfers to reserves? 903 00:41:45,839 --> 00:41:52,240 So, uh this Yeah. Okay. So, I won't get 904 00:41:49,440 --> 00:41:57,119 too ahead of myself. Um starting with 905 00:41:52,240 --> 00:42:00,400 taxes, um you can see 16.8 8 the these 906 00:41:57,119 --> 00:42:02,640 are now the assessment or t tax numbers 907 00:42:00,400 --> 00:42:04,720 are driven by uh the numbers that we 908 00:42:02,640 --> 00:42:07,839 receive for from our assessors. So they 909 00:42:04,720 --> 00:42:09,359 give us numbers showing us what uh is 910 00:42:07,839 --> 00:42:11,680 expected for residential and 911 00:42:09,359 --> 00:42:15,440 non-residential properties. uh we take 912 00:42:11,680 --> 00:42:19,040 those estimates, we use um actually just 913 00:42:15,440 --> 00:42:23,200 use 2025 mill rate um adjusted for 914 00:42:19,040 --> 00:42:24,720 inflation if we do um and then and then 915 00:42:23,200 --> 00:42:27,760 come up with an estimate for the growth 916 00:42:24,720 --> 00:42:30,240 in tax revenue. So you can see last year 917 00:42:27,760 --> 00:42:33,359 uh we budgeted for 16.8 million came in 918 00:42:30,240 --> 00:42:35,119 at 16.6. So, it didn't quite reach the 919 00:42:33,359 --> 00:42:37,520 assessor's estimates, but we know from 920 00:42:35,119 --> 00:42:40,079 the development figures and and the data 921 00:42:37,520 --> 00:42:43,040 that's provided from that department. We 922 00:42:40,079 --> 00:42:44,400 do know that, you know, that revenue is 923 00:42:43,040 --> 00:42:46,160 coming down the line. It's just 924 00:42:44,400 --> 00:42:50,400 sometimes it takes a little bit longer 925 00:42:46,160 --> 00:42:53,599 than what you you might think. Um, but 926 00:42:50,400 --> 00:42:56,400 2026, we use the the assessor numbers uh 927 00:42:53,599 --> 00:43:00,729 that I received in midFebruary. Um and 928 00:42:56,400 --> 00:43:03,280 with that um 929 00:43:00,729 --> 00:43:06,480 [clears throat] and this number here so 930 00:43:03,280 --> 00:43:09,040 the jump from you know the actual 16.6 931 00:43:06,480 --> 00:43:12,720 million to 18.37 932 00:43:09,040 --> 00:43:16,720 uh that is mainly due to uh the simply 933 00:43:12,720 --> 00:43:18,800 growth. There's no um increased taxes on 934 00:43:16,720 --> 00:43:21,119 the residential side. Um for 935 00:43:18,800 --> 00:43:25,359 non-residential uh like I said we kept 936 00:43:21,119 --> 00:43:29,839 the mill rate at 10. So that that is um 937 00:43:25,359 --> 00:43:31,920 includes inflation in that number. Um 938 00:43:29,839 --> 00:43:36,480 but yeah this is simply due to growth. 939 00:43:31,920 --> 00:43:39,760 Um it's important to note that um you 940 00:43:36,480 --> 00:43:42,160 know these revenue numbers need include 941 00:43:39,760 --> 00:43:44,079 the amounts that we collect for 942 00:43:42,160 --> 00:43:49,040 provincial education requisitions and 943 00:43:44,079 --> 00:43:52,640 for green acres. Um so that number uh 944 00:43:49,040 --> 00:43:55,760 from that 18.377 945 00:43:52,640 --> 00:43:57,520 projected um 946 00:43:55,760 --> 00:44:00,880 the provincial requisition numbers are 947 00:43:57,520 --> 00:44:03,920 down here. So you know if you with that 948 00:44:00,880 --> 00:44:08,480 increase um I believe education is about 949 00:44:03,920 --> 00:44:11,119 2 2.6 or 2.7 and then uh green acres was 950 00:44:08,480 --> 00:44:15,920 0.13 or something last year. 951 00:44:11,119 --> 00:44:20,480 just under three um as a mail rate for 952 00:44:15,920 --> 00:44:24,079 um the requisitions. And then uh we know 953 00:44:20,480 --> 00:44:26,240 from the previous uh presentations that 954 00:44:24,079 --> 00:44:28,560 um the residential mill rate is about 955 00:44:26,240 --> 00:44:32,800 6.9 last year. If we factor out 956 00:44:28,560 --> 00:44:34,880 inflation, it it falls to about 6.2. Um, 957 00:44:32,800 --> 00:44:40,240 so I'll kind of just hop around a little 958 00:44:34,880 --> 00:44:42,880 bit, but uh I hope this 959 00:44:40,240 --> 00:44:44,720 is okay. Um, 960 00:44:42,880 --> 00:44:46,480 so again, here's uh residential 961 00:44:44,720 --> 00:44:49,280 non-residential assessment growth from 962 00:44:46,480 --> 00:44:52,319 2022 to 2026. 963 00:44:49,280 --> 00:44:54,480 Um, you can see over the 5 years, 964 00:44:52,319 --> 00:44:57,359 non-residential assessments have gone up 965 00:44:54,480 --> 00:45:00,359 128%, residential assessments gone up by 966 00:44:57,359 --> 00:45:00,359 35%. 967 00:45:01,280 --> 00:45:06,480 And um there is a census for 2026 and 968 00:45:04,880 --> 00:45:08,560 but however these numbers come from the 969 00:45:06,480 --> 00:45:11,359 Alberta regional dashboard. Uh 970 00:45:08,560 --> 00:45:13,920 population from 2021 to 2025 has gone up 971 00:45:11,359 --> 00:45:19,160 6.29%. 972 00:45:13,920 --> 00:45:19,160 Okay. So we are still growing. Um, 973 00:45:20,640 --> 00:45:24,400 and then here's the split in the 974 00:45:22,319 --> 00:45:26,880 residential versus non-residential tax 975 00:45:24,400 --> 00:45:29,920 revenue. Um, 976 00:45:26,880 --> 00:45:32,800 from as far back as 2016. And you can 977 00:45:29,920 --> 00:45:36,640 see now we are closer to if I included 978 00:45:32,800 --> 00:45:39,640 2026, we'd probably be closer to 7030 979 00:45:36,640 --> 00:45:39,640 there. 980 00:45:39,839 --> 00:45:46,640 Okay. So what does that what does our 981 00:45:42,079 --> 00:45:49,119 mill rate look like as a result of um 982 00:45:46,640 --> 00:45:52,319 you know these are 2025's figures. Um 983 00:45:49,119 --> 00:45:54,880 this is the benchmark provided um in the 984 00:45:52,319 --> 00:45:58,079 first operating budget presentation. Uh 985 00:45:54,880 --> 00:46:00,319 Colddale with the recreation tax. Uh we 986 00:45:58,079 --> 00:46:02,640 are you know somewhere we are above 987 00:46:00,319 --> 00:46:05,440 average but you know under Lethbridge 988 00:46:02,640 --> 00:46:08,400 Black falls uh slightly above Taber if 989 00:46:05,440 --> 00:46:10,880 you include that recreation tax. um and 990 00:46:08,400 --> 00:46:13,200 with a mill rate of 6.902. 991 00:46:10,880 --> 00:46:15,839 Uh when you factor out inflation of 992 00:46:13,200 --> 00:46:20,240 2026, you get down to a mill rate of 993 00:46:15,839 --> 00:46:22,640 6.26. Now, okay. So, um I've just kind 994 00:46:20,240 --> 00:46:24,640 of provided these numbers for council's 995 00:46:22,640 --> 00:46:27,440 reference. You know, right now the 996 00:46:24,640 --> 00:46:30,160 budget for 26 to 28 assumes no 997 00:46:27,440 --> 00:46:32,880 residential tax increase, but if they if 998 00:46:30,160 --> 00:46:34,319 council did implement a 1% tax increase, 999 00:46:32,880 --> 00:46:36,880 this is the impact to the mill rate. 1000 00:46:34,319 --> 00:46:40,560 This is the impact to uh the municipal 1001 00:46:36,880 --> 00:46:43,119 portion of taxes. 1002 00:46:40,560 --> 00:46:44,720 And then this is the dollar impact that 1003 00:46:43,119 --> 00:46:47,520 uh based on the dollar value of the 1004 00:46:44,720 --> 00:46:49,440 home. Um 1005 00:46:47,520 --> 00:46:51,760 the next slide will kind of show if your 1006 00:46:49,440 --> 00:46:54,160 tax bill was uh this is just the 1007 00:46:51,760 --> 00:46:57,440 municipal portion of tax. Again, it 1008 00:46:54,160 --> 00:47:00,079 doesn't include the requisitions. Um, 1009 00:46:57,440 --> 00:47:02,000 but a property of 350,000 1010 00:47:00,079 --> 00:47:06,960 uh would have a municipal tax bill of 1011 00:47:02,000 --> 00:47:09,839 2.5 or 2500 uh 2536. If there was a 1% 1012 00:47:06,960 --> 00:47:12,079 increase, that would be the impact. Um, 1013 00:47:09,839 --> 00:47:15,040 and then you can see that for all across 1014 00:47:12,079 --> 00:47:18,040 the scale there uh from a 1 to 3% 1015 00:47:15,040 --> 00:47:18,040 increase. 1016 00:47:18,160 --> 00:47:23,119 Okay. Um, as long as we're talking about 1017 00:47:20,880 --> 00:47:23,599 taxes, I think it's important to kind of 1018 00:47:23,119 --> 00:47:25,440 talk about 1019 00:47:23,599 --> 00:47:26,319 » We just have a question from Councelor 1020 00:47:25,440 --> 00:47:28,720 Ree. 1021 00:47:26,319 --> 00:47:30,000 » Thank you, Mayor Ryan. Thank you, Tim. 1022 00:47:28,720 --> 00:47:32,640 Thank you for your report. It's really 1023 00:47:30,000 --> 00:47:35,440 good so far. Um, just one question with 1024 00:47:32,640 --> 00:47:37,839 the provincial education tax last year. 1025 00:47:35,440 --> 00:47:39,680 It went up quite a bit. And so, I'm just 1026 00:47:37,839 --> 00:47:41,920 curious, what if it goes up quite a bit 1027 00:47:39,680 --> 00:47:44,240 again this coming year or next year, and 1028 00:47:41,920 --> 00:47:47,599 it's not accounted for, or have you 1029 00:47:44,240 --> 00:47:51,119 accounted for that possibility? Uh, 1030 00:47:47,599 --> 00:47:53,760 great question. Um, I what I did for the 1031 00:47:51,119 --> 00:47:57,280 requisitions in the draft budget is I 1032 00:47:53,760 --> 00:47:58,800 just assumed 2025's numbers. So, um, 1033 00:47:57,280 --> 00:48:00,960 since we don't know what those numbers 1034 00:47:58,800 --> 00:48:02,800 are yet, um, and then and I believe the 1035 00:48:00,960 --> 00:48:06,240 property tax bylaw is something that's 1036 00:48:02,800 --> 00:48:07,839 set by council in April, May. So, uh, we 1037 00:48:06,240 --> 00:48:09,920 can look at what those changes are and 1038 00:48:07,839 --> 00:48:12,480 then maybe we can make some adjustments 1039 00:48:09,920 --> 00:48:16,440 then. Uh, but for now, I just assumed um 1040 00:48:12,480 --> 00:48:16,440 that it would stay the same. 1041 00:48:20,560 --> 00:48:26,319 Uh okay. So uh if we're talking about 1042 00:48:23,200 --> 00:48:28,160 residential or just taxes in general, um 1043 00:48:26,319 --> 00:48:30,480 I think it's important before discussing 1044 00:48:28,160 --> 00:48:33,040 any tax increases, 1045 00:48:30,480 --> 00:48:36,400 you know, you get a full picture. So um 1046 00:48:33,040 --> 00:48:38,240 you know, we we raised utility rates um 1047 00:48:36,400 --> 00:48:41,440 you know, for storm, water, sewer, 1048 00:48:38,240 --> 00:48:44,079 garbage. Um, and then there is a 1049 00:48:41,440 --> 00:48:46,800 proposed user uh rates and fees bylaw 1050 00:48:44,079 --> 00:48:49,200 that does propose a 2% increase, you 1051 00:48:46,800 --> 00:48:52,079 know, more or less 2% across the board. 1052 00:48:49,200 --> 00:48:54,720 Um, but what what is the what does that 1053 00:48:52,079 --> 00:48:57,760 look like on the 1054 00:48:54,720 --> 00:49:00,800 I guess on the other side, you know, 1055 00:48:57,760 --> 00:49:03,599 typically taxes are due on June 30th of 1056 00:49:00,800 --> 00:49:06,640 each year. Um, but how many people at 1057 00:49:03,599 --> 00:49:09,520 the end of the year December 31st, uh, 1058 00:49:06,640 --> 00:49:12,640 what are those a year's balances? Um, so 1059 00:49:09,520 --> 00:49:15,440 you can see after after backing out 1060 00:49:12,640 --> 00:49:16,880 significant um one-time accounts 1061 00:49:15,440 --> 00:49:18,960 receivable amounts that have were 1062 00:49:16,880 --> 00:49:20,800 transferred to tax, you kind of sort of 1063 00:49:18,960 --> 00:49:22,800 get an idea of what the changes are 1064 00:49:20,800 --> 00:49:25,839 year-over-year. So you can see that the 1065 00:49:22,800 --> 00:49:28,160 rear's balance is up slightly from well 1066 00:49:25,839 --> 00:49:30,800 it does jump a bit from 24 to 25 1067 00:49:28,160 --> 00:49:32,480 compared to uh the the recent trend 1068 00:49:30,800 --> 00:49:34,800 which was actually kind of dipping a 1069 00:49:32,480 --> 00:49:37,839 little bit. Um, however, this is one of 1070 00:49:34,800 --> 00:49:40,160 those uh indicators that we can monitor 1071 00:49:37,839 --> 00:49:43,200 moving forward. Um, you know, what does 1072 00:49:40,160 --> 00:49:46,160 a what does a 1% tax increase do to this 1073 00:49:43,200 --> 00:49:49,200 number? Um, it might not be perfect, but 1074 00:49:46,160 --> 00:49:53,880 it it is it's a useful measurement that 1075 00:49:49,200 --> 00:49:53,880 we can look at. Um, 1076 00:49:55,760 --> 00:49:59,839 and so that's kind of, you know, when we 1077 00:49:57,839 --> 00:50:01,440 looked at 2026, 1078 00:49:59,839 --> 00:50:04,960 uh, like I said, we used assessor 1079 00:50:01,440 --> 00:50:08,160 estimates. Uh, for 2027, 1080 00:50:04,960 --> 00:50:11,760 um, I believe the growth estimate that 1081 00:50:08,160 --> 00:50:13,839 we used for 2026 was 4.25%. Uh, so 1082 00:50:11,760 --> 00:50:15,599 that's based on, um, you know, kind of 1083 00:50:13,839 --> 00:50:19,280 what we assumed would happen from new 1084 00:50:15,599 --> 00:50:21,760 developments coming on online. uh 2027 1085 00:50:19,280 --> 00:50:25,839 and 2028 we did reduce that down to 1086 00:50:21,760 --> 00:50:28,559 about 3.25% increase in residential uh 1087 00:50:25,839 --> 00:50:32,240 growth or I guess that would be combined 1088 00:50:28,559 --> 00:50:34,800 growth. Um so you know we we we do 1089 00:50:32,240 --> 00:50:38,000 project you know it's not as big of a 1090 00:50:34,800 --> 00:50:41,359 jump from 25 to 26 but we did factor in 1091 00:50:38,000 --> 00:50:44,000 some growth in tax revenue for 27 and 28 1092 00:50:41,359 --> 00:50:48,319 and that was kind of done as a as a way 1093 00:50:44,000 --> 00:50:50,640 to balance out all three years. Um, and 1094 00:50:48,319 --> 00:50:54,559 like I like I mentioned earlier, taxes 1095 00:50:50,640 --> 00:50:57,040 and utilities and uh rates and fees, 1096 00:50:54,559 --> 00:50:59,680 franchise fees. Uh, those are some of 1097 00:50:57,040 --> 00:51:02,400 the bigger ticket items that that we 1098 00:50:59,680 --> 00:51:04,160 really wanted to focus more time on. So, 1099 00:51:02,400 --> 00:51:05,920 we did factor in increases in those 1100 00:51:04,160 --> 00:51:09,760 areas. 1101 00:51:05,920 --> 00:51:15,280 Um, so the next item is sales and user 1102 00:51:09,760 --> 00:51:18,480 charges. Now this um of this 7.5 million 1103 00:51:15,280 --> 00:51:21,200 uh I would say that maybe six maybe just 1104 00:51:18,480 --> 00:51:23,760 over six and maybe 6.5 million is 1105 00:51:21,200 --> 00:51:26,319 related to utilities right so the 1106 00:51:23,760 --> 00:51:29,920 remaining one to one and a half million 1107 00:51:26,319 --> 00:51:36,839 um is your revenue from facilities 1108 00:51:29,920 --> 00:51:36,839 rentals um sale general sales um 1109 00:51:37,200 --> 00:51:43,440 and so you can see that we budgeted 1110 00:51:39,920 --> 00:51:50,119 seven just under 7.5 and we came in at 1111 00:51:43,440 --> 00:51:50,119 uh right now just over 7.5. So um 1112 00:51:51,359 --> 00:51:56,960 uh okay so they came in a little bit low 1113 00:51:53,760 --> 00:51:59,200 or sorry they came in 1114 00:51:56,960 --> 00:52:00,880 um and there are a lot of different 1115 00:51:59,200 --> 00:52:03,359 offsetting things that happen in the 1116 00:52:00,880 --> 00:52:05,119 year. Um just to give you an idea across 1117 00:52:03,359 --> 00:52:09,599 these different categories we're looking 1118 00:52:05,119 --> 00:52:12,160 at about 900 over 900 budget lines. So 1119 00:52:09,599 --> 00:52:14,559 budget um that might not necessarily 1120 00:52:12,160 --> 00:52:16,480 mean that's a number of accounts but um 1121 00:52:14,559 --> 00:52:18,559 there are a lot lot of you know 1122 00:52:16,480 --> 00:52:19,839 different accounts that make up these 1123 00:52:18,559 --> 00:52:21,920 numbers. So you're going to see 1124 00:52:19,839 --> 00:52:24,160 offsetting amounts. You're going to see 1125 00:52:21,920 --> 00:52:27,280 increases in some facilities, decreases 1126 00:52:24,160 --> 00:52:29,440 in other facilities. But in general um 1127 00:52:27,280 --> 00:52:32,240 for user fees they were they came in 1128 00:52:29,440 --> 00:52:34,880 about 124,000 lower than expected and 1129 00:52:32,240 --> 00:52:37,599 that was offset by utility revenue. Um 1130 00:52:34,880 --> 00:52:40,079 that was due to just population growth. 1131 00:52:37,599 --> 00:52:42,559 Um and one indicator of that is that 1132 00:52:40,079 --> 00:52:45,920 water meter fees we typically budgeted 1133 00:52:42,559 --> 00:52:49,359 at 50,000 but they came in at 135,000. 1134 00:52:45,920 --> 00:52:53,040 So that's kind of like new um requests 1135 00:52:49,359 --> 00:52:55,760 for installation of new water meters. 1136 00:52:53,040 --> 00:52:59,599 Um so with that with with that data we 1137 00:52:55,760 --> 00:53:01,359 kind of um increased um you know a large 1138 00:52:59,599 --> 00:53:03,920 portion of the increase that you see 1139 00:53:01,359 --> 00:53:05,520 from 25 to 26 is due to the water 1140 00:53:03,920 --> 00:53:09,760 consumption rates. We did have to 1141 00:53:05,520 --> 00:53:12,960 increase them to um to cover the costs 1142 00:53:09,760 --> 00:53:17,119 of the utility rates uh consumption 1143 00:53:12,960 --> 00:53:19,119 rates going up. Um so that's about 67 or 1144 00:53:17,119 --> 00:53:21,760 670,000 1145 00:53:19,119 --> 00:53:23,520 increase. Um but then also on the 1146 00:53:21,760 --> 00:53:26,640 expense side you can see that I've made 1147 00:53:23,520 --> 00:53:30,319 a comment here that you know um water 1148 00:53:26,640 --> 00:53:33,280 purchases um goes up uh significantly as 1149 00:53:30,319 --> 00:53:35,440 well which offsets that revenue. 1150 00:53:33,280 --> 00:53:37,520 Um 1151 00:53:35,440 --> 00:53:39,280 uh we also look at uh when we look at 1152 00:53:37,520 --> 00:53:43,280 these numbers and these accounts we look 1153 00:53:39,280 --> 00:53:46,640 at the past five years. So 20 22 23 24 1154 00:53:43,280 --> 00:53:52,640 and 25. I guess I would include 21 as 1155 00:53:46,640 --> 00:53:56,240 well. Um to kind of get uh 1156 00:53:52,640 --> 00:53:58,640 to sort of also help form our estimate 1157 00:53:56,240 --> 00:54:01,440 for 2026. 1158 00:53:58,640 --> 00:54:04,240 Um next out of line item we have 1159 00:54:01,440 --> 00:54:06,880 licenses, permits, and fees. Um so you 1160 00:54:04,240 --> 00:54:10,720 can see here we budgeted 277,000 in 1161 00:54:06,880 --> 00:54:14,800 2025. uh they came in at uh just under 1162 00:54:10,720 --> 00:54:16,720 346,000. So that increase um when I look 1163 00:54:14,800 --> 00:54:19,280 at the individual accounts that make up 1164 00:54:16,720 --> 00:54:22,240 licenses, permits, and fees um there are 1165 00:54:19,280 --> 00:54:23,680 just increases across the board. So um 1166 00:54:22,240 --> 00:54:27,520 you know, we have to assume that that's 1167 00:54:23,680 --> 00:54:29,440 due to growth. Um 1168 00:54:27,520 --> 00:54:32,160 and a significant portion of that 1169 00:54:29,440 --> 00:54:34,160 actually is related to uh possibly one 1170 00:54:32,160 --> 00:54:35,680 development. So, uh, we need to make 1171 00:54:34,160 --> 00:54:37,920 sure that when we develop our estimate 1172 00:54:35,680 --> 00:54:39,760 for 2026, we back out kind of those 1173 00:54:37,920 --> 00:54:40,720 significant items that aren't you're not 1174 00:54:39,760 --> 00:54:42,800 you shouldn't expect to see 1175 00:54:40,720 --> 00:54:46,240 year-over-year. Um, but we did project 1176 00:54:42,800 --> 00:54:48,720 an increase of about 28,000 from 2025. 1177 00:54:46,240 --> 00:54:50,720 Um, 1178 00:54:48,720 --> 00:54:53,920 next item here is interest penalties and 1179 00:54:50,720 --> 00:54:56,240 fines. Now, this includes revenues from 1180 00:54:53,920 --> 00:54:59,680 uh photo radar, for example, when when 1181 00:54:56,240 --> 00:55:04,480 that was a program. Um this includes uh 1182 00:54:59,680 --> 00:55:06,480 late fees on taxes and utilities. Um you 1183 00:55:04,480 --> 00:55:10,079 can see we budgeted 170,000 but they 1184 00:55:06,480 --> 00:55:13,760 came in at 390 mainly because of uh 1185 00:55:10,079 --> 00:55:15,440 residual photo radar income that that um 1186 00:55:13,760 --> 00:55:18,240 you know we started to see even though 1187 00:55:15,440 --> 00:55:20,800 we ended the program um you know we were 1188 00:55:18,240 --> 00:55:22,960 still receiving photo radar income into 1189 00:55:20,800 --> 00:55:26,240 I would say about September October and 1190 00:55:22,960 --> 00:55:29,520 now they've kind of leveled off. 1191 00:55:26,240 --> 00:55:32,400 Um, so our estimate is that it's photo 1192 00:55:29,520 --> 00:55:34,480 radar income was about 140,000 and then 1193 00:55:32,400 --> 00:55:36,160 there was an increase of about 80,000 in 1194 00:55:34,480 --> 00:55:37,839 interest and penalties and that that 1195 00:55:36,160 --> 00:55:41,040 sort of also ties into that aers's 1196 00:55:37,839 --> 00:55:46,559 balance chart that I showed you as well. 1197 00:55:41,040 --> 00:55:49,200 Um so for 2026 we did increase those um 1198 00:55:46,559 --> 00:55:51,680 for interests penalty and interest 1199 00:55:49,200 --> 00:55:54,000 penalties and fines that did we did 1200 00:55:51,680 --> 00:55:57,839 increase from what we budgeted in 2025 1201 00:55:54,000 --> 00:55:59,280 to uh by about 94,000 1202 00:55:57,839 --> 00:56:01,520 uh making sure that we didn't include 1203 00:55:59,280 --> 00:56:04,880 photo any photo radar income again in 1204 00:56:01,520 --> 00:56:07,280 2026. Um however we also factored in 1205 00:56:04,880 --> 00:56:09,359 that with uh the addition of new CPOS 1206 00:56:07,280 --> 00:56:13,343 that there would be some fine revenue 1207 00:56:09,359 --> 00:56:13,343 expected in bylaw as well. [snorts] 1208 00:56:13,359 --> 00:56:19,200 Uh long-term contracts and asset returns 1209 00:56:15,920 --> 00:56:22,720 um that that is mainly franchise fees 1210 00:56:19,200 --> 00:56:26,079 and investment income. So uh franchise 1211 00:56:22,720 --> 00:56:27,839 fees makes up about 1.75 million of that 1212 00:56:26,079 --> 00:56:32,319 2.15. 1213 00:56:27,839 --> 00:56:35,839 Um and that number will 1214 00:56:32,319 --> 00:56:38,319 grow with growth. Um new accounts uh 1215 00:56:35,839 --> 00:56:41,200 more consumption uh could impact it as 1216 00:56:38,319 --> 00:56:44,720 well. Um however, our investment income 1217 00:56:41,200 --> 00:56:47,040 we can't uh we we kept that pretty 1218 00:56:44,720 --> 00:56:50,000 consistent or we didn't we didn't 1219 00:56:47,040 --> 00:56:52,000 increase that as much just due to uh we 1220 00:56:50,000 --> 00:56:56,400 have a lot of projects happening. There 1221 00:56:52,000 --> 00:56:59,359 will be a lot of um uh cash uh outflows 1222 00:56:56,400 --> 00:57:02,640 related to those. we have debentures 1223 00:56:59,359 --> 00:57:04,799 um and until we start uh you know 1224 00:57:02,640 --> 00:57:08,160 building back up our reserves reducing 1225 00:57:04,799 --> 00:57:12,960 that uh so with that we budgeted for a 1226 00:57:08,160 --> 00:57:16,079 slight increase in franchise fees and 1227 00:57:12,960 --> 00:57:17,440 um as the comment says this 1228 00:57:16,079 --> 00:57:20,079 we're just projecting that it should 1229 00:57:17,440 --> 00:57:22,160 stay consistent with 25 1230 00:57:20,079 --> 00:57:25,920 uh the next line item is other revenue 1231 00:57:22,160 --> 00:57:28,319 now this is just uh rebates donations 1232 00:57:25,920 --> 00:57:30,240 um 1233 00:57:28,319 --> 00:57:31,920 uh not something that you can easily 1234 00:57:30,240 --> 00:57:35,040 budget. You you shouldn't really budget 1235 00:57:31,920 --> 00:57:36,880 for donations. Um however, if you 1236 00:57:35,040 --> 00:57:39,040 increase programming and part of that 1237 00:57:36,880 --> 00:57:41,359 programming is to solicit for more 1238 00:57:39,040 --> 00:57:43,359 donations, we can't you know, we do 1239 00:57:41,359 --> 00:57:46,559 project out a little bit of an increase 1240 00:57:43,359 --> 00:57:48,960 and that's what that 15,000 increase um 1241 00:57:46,559 --> 00:57:53,319 that is due to community services 1242 00:57:48,960 --> 00:57:53,319 increased programming. Um 1243 00:57:54,720 --> 00:58:00,319 uh next item is government transfers 1244 00:57:57,119 --> 00:58:02,000 revenue. This is money that uh mainly 1245 00:58:00,319 --> 00:58:04,000 operating grants. So that would include 1246 00:58:02,000 --> 00:58:07,359 your 550,000 1247 00:58:04,000 --> 00:58:10,640 uh for the policing plus the 370,000 1248 00:58:07,359 --> 00:58:12,720 additional for the so the 550 would be 1249 00:58:10,640 --> 00:58:16,799 the equity portion and then 370 would be 1250 00:58:12,720 --> 00:58:22,880 the police um support grant. Um also 1251 00:58:16,799 --> 00:58:27,359 included are are um transfers from other 1252 00:58:22,880 --> 00:58:29,920 uh municipalities or from regional 1253 00:58:27,359 --> 00:58:34,040 um 1254 00:58:29,920 --> 00:58:34,040 agreements. Um 1255 00:58:34,115 --> 00:58:35,839 [snorts] 1256 00:58:34,960 --> 00:58:37,440 » Yes. 1257 00:58:35,839 --> 00:58:41,200 » Yeah. Thank you, Mayor. Uh through to 1258 00:58:37,440 --> 00:58:43,200 Tim. Uh just on that line um that uh 1259 00:58:41,200 --> 00:58:45,280 there transfers from uh government. 1260 00:58:43,200 --> 00:58:48,720 Would that include the local government? 1261 00:58:45,280 --> 00:58:51,839 um LG what's called the LGFF acronym um 1262 00:58:48,720 --> 00:58:53,040 local government uh facility I I yes the 1263 00:58:51,839 --> 00:58:56,000 operating side 1264 00:58:53,040 --> 00:58:58,480 » That is one grant that we do budget for 1265 00:58:56,000 --> 00:59:00,880 um and and yes it is the LGFF local 1266 00:58:58,480 --> 00:59:02,559 government fiscal framework grant um the 1267 00:59:00,880 --> 00:59:03,839 operating side of it which is about 1268 00:59:02,559 --> 00:59:04,799 131,000 1269 00:59:03,839 --> 00:59:08,280 » How much is that 1270 00:59:04,799 --> 00:59:08,280 » Uh 131,000 1271 00:59:10,400 --> 00:59:13,839 » Okay 1272 00:59:11,680 --> 00:59:19,240 » So yes and then there are also in there 1273 00:59:13,839 --> 00:59:19,240 uh library grants grants and and um 1274 00:59:21,839 --> 00:59:25,200 yeah, grants operating grants are a 1275 00:59:23,440 --> 00:59:26,559 little bit harder to predict for because 1276 00:59:25,200 --> 00:59:28,240 you apply for them, you don't know if 1277 00:59:26,559 --> 00:59:30,160 you'll get them and then and then you 1278 00:59:28,240 --> 00:59:31,599 you shouldn't really budget for a grant 1279 00:59:30,160 --> 00:59:33,920 if you haven't applied for it yet 1280 00:59:31,599 --> 00:59:33,920 either. 1281 00:59:35,040 --> 00:59:41,520 Um so you can see that 1282 00:59:38,799 --> 00:59:45,680 um there is a decrease uh projected for 1283 00:59:41,520 --> 00:59:48,160 2026 of approximately 168,000. Uh a 1284 00:59:45,680 --> 00:59:50,720 major portion of that is due to the new 1285 00:59:48,160 --> 00:59:54,000 emergency services agreement that was uh 1286 00:59:50,720 --> 00:59:56,559 signed there. 1287 00:59:54,000 --> 00:59:59,359 Uh the transfers from reserves. Now this 1288 00:59:56,559 --> 01:00:02,480 is uh this is an internal reserve 1289 00:59:59,359 --> 01:00:04,319 transfer. It's bringing in money from 1290 01:00:02,480 --> 01:00:07,520 your reserve accounts into your 1291 01:00:04,319 --> 01:00:11,200 operating revenues to help offset, you 1292 01:00:07,520 --> 01:00:14,000 know, those one one-time items. Um, it 1293 01:00:11,200 --> 01:00:16,160 always depends on what what council has 1294 01:00:14,000 --> 01:00:19,280 approved as far as transferring to 1295 01:00:16,160 --> 01:00:21,760 reserves. Um, and then now these are 1296 01:00:19,280 --> 01:00:25,839 amounts coming from reserves. So, uh, 1297 01:00:21,760 --> 01:00:31,119 for 2026 that amount is 355,000. 1298 01:00:25,839 --> 01:00:35,040 Um and I believe that is due to 1299 01:00:31,119 --> 01:00:37,760 um sort of these items here. So the 1300 01:00:35,040 --> 01:00:40,240 council onetime expenses per uh one-time 1301 01:00:37,760 --> 01:00:42,799 CPO training cost, the downtown ARP 1302 01:00:40,240 --> 01:00:46,559 study. Um 1303 01:00:42,799 --> 01:00:48,559 and then also in there are amounts that 1304 01:00:46,559 --> 01:00:50,960 we transferred to reserves in prior 1305 01:00:48,559 --> 01:00:53,440 years. So I believe in 2024 we 1306 01:00:50,960 --> 01:00:56,640 transferred some money into reserves to 1307 01:00:53,440 --> 01:00:59,040 help offset the costs. um for onetime 1308 01:00:56,640 --> 01:01:03,280 cost related to the ERP transfer. So we 1309 01:00:59,040 --> 01:01:05,440 we we're in the we're also in the um 1310 01:01:03,280 --> 01:01:08,000 process of switching accounting uh 1311 01:01:05,440 --> 01:01:10,880 systems right now and so there are still 1312 01:01:08,000 --> 01:01:12,480 costs uh carried forward into 2026 for 1313 01:01:10,880 --> 01:01:16,160 that which we are budgeting to bring 1314 01:01:12,480 --> 01:01:22,119 into reserves. So um that also makes up 1315 01:01:16,160 --> 01:01:22,119 part of that 355,000 you see there. 1316 01:01:23,280 --> 01:01:28,640 Uh so that covers the revenue side. Uh 1317 01:01:25,839 --> 01:01:30,480 when we look at expenses uh you know the 1318 01:01:28,640 --> 01:01:32,160 first you know the first and biggest 1319 01:01:30,480 --> 01:01:36,720 item there is salaries, wages and 1320 01:01:32,160 --> 01:01:40,799 benefits. So um the 2025 we budgeted 8.5 1321 01:01:36,720 --> 01:01:44,480 million. Um and it came in at two 8.7. 1322 01:01:40,799 --> 01:01:47,119 So just 164,000 over. Um now there are a 1323 01:01:44,480 --> 01:01:51,040 lot of you know offsetting amounts here. 1324 01:01:47,119 --> 01:01:53,359 There were staff um a lot of staffing 1325 01:01:51,040 --> 01:01:56,240 changes. is there was also there were 1326 01:01:53,359 --> 01:01:58,240 some uh 1327 01:01:56,240 --> 01:02:02,079 additions most of which were budgeted 1328 01:01:58,240 --> 01:02:05,359 for um 1329 01:02:02,079 --> 01:02:07,359 however that that that can be that that 1330 01:02:05,359 --> 01:02:08,480 number might also not be finalized as 1331 01:02:07,359 --> 01:02:11,119 well. So, I don't want to speak too much 1332 01:02:08,480 --> 01:02:14,079 on that. That that could be a a 2025 1333 01:02:11,119 --> 01:02:16,880 financial statement. Um 1334 01:02:14,079 --> 01:02:22,640 Jeff's financial statement uh discussion 1335 01:02:16,880 --> 01:02:25,200 item. Uh for 2026, what we've done is we 1336 01:02:22,640 --> 01:02:26,799 uh as I mentioned, we took the 2026 the 1337 01:02:25,200 --> 01:02:29,839 current employee list, the current 1338 01:02:26,799 --> 01:02:32,640 grids, the current um benefit rates, uh 1339 01:02:29,839 --> 01:02:34,400 all of the deductions, everything um and 1340 01:02:32,640 --> 01:02:37,280 calculated out from the ground up and 1341 01:02:34,400 --> 01:02:39,680 and just slot that in for 2026. The 1342 01:02:37,280 --> 01:02:41,200 increase from 2025 you can see is 1343 01:02:39,680 --> 01:02:43,839 360,000. 1344 01:02:41,200 --> 01:02:46,079 Now a big portion of to 1345 01:02:43,839 --> 01:02:49,520 uh the new collective agreement that was 1346 01:02:46,079 --> 01:02:55,280 signed. So that was a 3% increase um for 1347 01:02:49,520 --> 01:02:57,520 cost of living um as well as net uh 1348 01:02:55,280 --> 01:03:01,440 full-time equivalent addition. So net uh 1349 01:02:57,520 --> 01:03:03,440 so new um budget requests for new 1350 01:03:01,440 --> 01:03:05,520 staffing. So the assistant library would 1351 01:03:03,440 --> 01:03:08,720 be assistant librarian would be one of 1352 01:03:05,520 --> 01:03:12,640 those. Um there are a lot of offsetting 1353 01:03:08,720 --> 01:03:15,359 amounts in that as well. Um however the 1354 01:03:12,640 --> 01:03:19,280 net increase or the net impact is 1355 01:03:15,359 --> 01:03:23,920 360,000 and and from the first budget 1356 01:03:19,280 --> 01:03:26,640 meeting you know 240,000ish or 240ish 1357 01:03:23,920 --> 01:03:29,920 would be related to just basic uh cost 1358 01:03:26,640 --> 01:03:32,960 of living increases that were budgeted 1359 01:03:29,920 --> 01:03:35,960 or that needed to be budgeted in 1360 01:03:32,960 --> 01:03:35,960 um 1361 01:03:38,559 --> 01:03:42,880 contracted in general services in next 1362 01:03:41,119 --> 01:03:45,440 um now when I look at these items 1363 01:03:42,880 --> 01:03:47,200 sometimes I look at them separately uh 1364 01:03:45,440 --> 01:03:49,599 included in contract and general 1365 01:03:47,200 --> 01:03:52,720 services is you know the cost of our CMP 1366 01:03:49,599 --> 01:03:54,480 which is 2.6 6 million right now um 1367 01:03:52,720 --> 01:03:57,440 budgeted in there. So that's included in 1368 01:03:54,480 --> 01:03:59,280 that 6.5. Uh materials, goods, and 1369 01:03:57,440 --> 01:04:02,079 supplies would be, you know, include 1370 01:03:59,280 --> 01:04:03,599 like your water purchases, right? Um so 1371 01:04:02,079 --> 01:04:05,760 we kind of look at it a few different 1372 01:04:03,599 --> 01:04:07,760 ways. We look at it as a whole. We back 1373 01:04:05,760 --> 01:04:11,440 out some of those items that are based 1374 01:04:07,760 --> 01:04:13,599 on agreements um uh costs that, you 1375 01:04:11,440 --> 01:04:16,160 know, really departments have no control 1376 01:04:13,599 --> 01:04:19,839 over in a sense. uh just because you 1377 01:04:16,160 --> 01:04:21,599 know recycling, garbage, um all of those 1378 01:04:19,839 --> 01:04:23,359 fees, tipping fees come out of 1379 01:04:21,599 --> 01:04:25,200 materials, goods and supplies as well. 1380 01:04:23,359 --> 01:04:27,680 So when we back that all out, you know, 1381 01:04:25,200 --> 01:04:29,119 you get a number close to 3.5 million 1382 01:04:27,680 --> 01:04:30,640 and that would kind of be like your 1383 01:04:29,119 --> 01:04:32,640 discretionary 1384 01:04:30,640 --> 01:04:35,119 um what the departments have across the 1385 01:04:32,640 --> 01:04:36,480 organization to spend on contract and 1386 01:04:35,119 --> 01:04:38,559 general services and materials, goods 1387 01:04:36,480 --> 01:04:40,960 and supplies. The rest of the line items 1388 01:04:38,559 --> 01:04:44,240 here below that are are really those 1389 01:04:40,960 --> 01:04:47,920 items that I did spend a lot of time on 1390 01:04:44,240 --> 01:04:50,160 because those are those are items that 1391 01:04:47,920 --> 01:04:52,319 um 1392 01:04:50,160 --> 01:04:55,039 you know for example debenture payments 1393 01:04:52,319 --> 01:04:58,079 you can you can easily uh project out 1394 01:04:55,039 --> 01:05:00,000 what your debenture payments and your uh 1395 01:04:58,079 --> 01:05:01,839 financing costs are based on what your 1396 01:05:00,000 --> 01:05:04,400 current debentures are and expected 1397 01:05:01,839 --> 01:05:07,119 dementures are going to be. So those 1398 01:05:04,400 --> 01:05:09,520 numbers are pretty um 1399 01:05:07,119 --> 01:05:11,039 uh and also you know there is no 1400 01:05:09,520 --> 01:05:12,640 discretionary 1401 01:05:11,039 --> 01:05:13,839 um 1402 01:05:12,640 --> 01:05:16,720 you know payments that come out of 1403 01:05:13,839 --> 01:05:18,319 there. So as long as uh we don't add new 1404 01:05:16,720 --> 01:05:21,280 debentures or choose to pay off 1405 01:05:18,319 --> 01:05:24,720 debentures early like those numbers are 1406 01:05:21,280 --> 01:05:26,720 um fairly easy to project out into 27 1407 01:05:24,720 --> 01:05:29,440 and 28. 1408 01:05:26,720 --> 01:05:31,599 Um 1409 01:05:29,440 --> 01:05:35,760 but back to 1410 01:05:31,599 --> 01:05:40,079 uh contracted services. Um so 2025 we 1411 01:05:35,760 --> 01:05:42,640 had budgeted uh I believe it was 2.365 1412 01:05:40,079 --> 01:05:46,240 million for RCMP. It actually came in 1413 01:05:42,640 --> 01:05:49,440 closer to 2.5 uh or roughly 170,000 1414 01:05:46,240 --> 01:05:53,760 higher than expected. Um, I did just 1415 01:05:49,440 --> 01:05:57,119 submit the RCMP report today um, for our 1416 01:05:53,760 --> 01:05:59,599 continued funding um, through the equity 1417 01:05:57,119 --> 01:06:01,440 uh, grant provided by the province. Um, 1418 01:05:59,599 --> 01:06:04,319 so that that amount is kind of fixed at 1419 01:06:01,440 --> 01:06:05,839 550,000 for 2026 anyways. Um, but that 1420 01:06:04,319 --> 01:06:07,680 is 1421 01:06:05,839 --> 01:06:10,400 um, 1422 01:06:07,680 --> 01:06:14,480 and then I used the forecast provided by 1423 01:06:10,400 --> 01:06:18,760 RCMP to develop uh, 1424 01:06:14,480 --> 01:06:18,760 those expenses out to 1425 01:06:20,079 --> 01:06:22,880 We have councelor Chapman has a 1426 01:06:21,839 --> 01:06:23,200 question. 1427 01:06:22,880 --> 01:06:25,599 » Yeah. 1428 01:06:23,200 --> 01:06:28,640 » Yeah. Thank you, Mayor. Tim, just two 1429 01:06:25,599 --> 01:06:34,240 questions. One on regard the RCMP 1430 01:06:28,640 --> 01:06:37,039 contract. Um we have no uh um 1431 01:06:34,240 --> 01:06:39,599 control over the numbers over the um 1432 01:06:37,039 --> 01:06:42,400 over their requisition 1433 01:06:39,599 --> 01:06:44,799 uh for so and I see that that number is 1434 01:06:42,400 --> 01:06:47,280 going up by approximately 100,000 every 1435 01:06:44,799 --> 01:06:50,240 year. So, um, obviously that's something 1436 01:06:47,280 --> 01:06:52,799 we have no control over just for for 1437 01:06:50,240 --> 01:06:55,280 council's interest. Um, the second thing 1438 01:06:52,799 --> 01:06:58,319 I wanted to point out, uh, regarding 1439 01:06:55,280 --> 01:07:00,319 debentures, um, you and your team would 1440 01:06:58,319 --> 01:07:04,640 be able to get have a really good handle 1441 01:07:00,319 --> 01:07:06,319 moving forward as to, um, paying off 1442 01:07:04,640 --> 01:07:08,160 some of those debentures sooner than 1443 01:07:06,319 --> 01:07:09,680 later. uh considering some of the 1444 01:07:08,160 --> 01:07:11,920 interest rates that might be out there 1445 01:07:09,680 --> 01:07:13,920 or or if they're locked in, I guess you 1446 01:07:11,920 --> 01:07:15,200 have no control, but you would have a 1447 01:07:13,920 --> 01:07:18,121 pretty good handle on how those 1448 01:07:15,200 --> 01:07:21,440 debentures could be paid off. 1449 01:07:18,121 --> 01:07:23,760 [snorts] Uh yes. So, uh we the nice 1450 01:07:21,440 --> 01:07:26,079 thing is last year uh the previous CFO 1451 01:07:23,760 --> 01:07:28,000 had had 1452 01:07:26,079 --> 01:07:30,079 um 1453 01:07:28,000 --> 01:07:32,559 arranged to have a number of debentures 1454 01:07:30,079 --> 01:07:35,200 paid off maybe one or two years early. 1455 01:07:32,559 --> 01:07:37,680 Um, now typically if you repay a 1456 01:07:35,200 --> 01:07:39,680 dementure early, there are penalties to 1457 01:07:37,680 --> 01:07:42,000 do so. However, if they're sitting at 1458 01:07:39,680 --> 01:07:44,079 higher interest rates and you have, you 1459 01:07:42,000 --> 01:07:45,760 know, you're projecting more uh 1460 01:07:44,079 --> 01:07:47,839 additional dementures down the line at 1461 01:07:45,760 --> 01:07:49,839 better rates, sometimes it is a better 1462 01:07:47,839 --> 01:07:50,640 decision to pay those off early. So, 1463 01:07:49,839 --> 01:07:52,240 yes. Yeah. 1464 01:07:50,640 --> 01:07:54,319 » Thank you. 1465 01:07:52,240 --> 01:07:56,960 » And then regarding the RCMP costs, 1466 01:07:54,319 --> 01:07:59,520 you're correct. We we have no say over, 1467 01:07:56,960 --> 01:08:03,200 you know, if they implement new body 1468 01:07:59,520 --> 01:08:05,440 camera system or EV for, I don't know, 1469 01:08:03,200 --> 01:08:09,440 across the board, that type of thing. 1470 01:08:05,440 --> 01:08:11,520 Um, I think we we do uh we can set the 1471 01:08:09,440 --> 01:08:13,599 number of established positions. Um 1472 01:08:11,520 --> 01:08:16,159 however you'll see in this graph here 1473 01:08:13,599 --> 01:08:20,080 what I've assumed for the budget for 26 1474 01:08:16,159 --> 01:08:23,040 27 and 28 is um you know after looking 1475 01:08:20,080 --> 01:08:26,000 at prior years and the utilization net 1476 01:08:23,040 --> 01:08:30,799 member utilization um it's kind of 1477 01:08:26,000 --> 01:08:32,560 hovered between 80 um 80 to 90ish% so 1478 01:08:30,799 --> 01:08:35,839 those are the numbers that I used. I 1479 01:08:32,560 --> 01:08:37,759 didn't want to go too far lower um just 1480 01:08:35,839 --> 01:08:40,239 because we uh I think we have been 1481 01:08:37,759 --> 01:08:42,560 burned in the past. Uh 1482 01:08:40,239 --> 01:08:45,839 and as well there is um we received a 1483 01:08:42,560 --> 01:08:48,719 letter uh from the RCMP uh regarding a 3 1484 01:08:45,839 --> 01:08:51,679 and a half% projected retro uh that 1485 01:08:48,719 --> 01:08:53,440 would go back to April 1st of 2025. So 1486 01:08:51,679 --> 01:08:56,239 there is a there is an additional amount 1487 01:08:53,440 --> 01:08:58,400 for 2026 for RCMP to to sort of cover 1488 01:08:56,239 --> 01:09:01,600 that and as well any adjustments that 1489 01:08:58,400 --> 01:09:04,000 might come out of um because I've 1490 01:09:01,600 --> 01:09:07,199 noticed every period the the forecast 1491 01:09:04,000 --> 01:09:10,199 changes just a little bit. So, um it's 1492 01:09:07,199 --> 01:09:10,199 yeah 1493 01:09:14,640 --> 01:09:21,920 um 1494 01:09:17,440 --> 01:09:25,040 so that was RCMP ERP transition. Um 1495 01:09:21,920 --> 01:09:28,080 we paid the first 75,000 implementation 1496 01:09:25,040 --> 01:09:30,640 charge in 2025. Um the second half of 1497 01:09:28,080 --> 01:09:34,159 that will be due in 2026. 1498 01:09:30,640 --> 01:09:36,880 Um and but like I mentioned before that 1499 01:09:34,159 --> 01:09:40,799 is an amount that we do have uh reserves 1500 01:09:36,880 --> 01:09:44,799 for al so that's over here. Um uh so 1501 01:09:40,799 --> 01:09:48,159 included in that 355 is 75,000 for one 1502 01:09:44,799 --> 01:09:50,799 time implementation or the last half of 1503 01:09:48,159 --> 01:09:54,640 that implementation as well as 50,000 1504 01:09:50,799 --> 01:09:56,400 for um the sort of you know the period 1505 01:09:54,640 --> 01:09:58,800 of time where you need to pay for both 1506 01:09:56,400 --> 01:10:00,480 systems. So that's for um our old 1507 01:09:58,800 --> 01:10:03,120 system. 1508 01:10:00,480 --> 01:10:05,920 Um so there's about 125,000 from 1509 01:10:03,120 --> 01:10:09,760 reserves out of that 355 that is related 1510 01:10:05,920 --> 01:10:12,159 to um the transition of accounting but 1511 01:10:09,760 --> 01:10:16,120 that was you know forecasted out by the 1512 01:10:12,159 --> 01:10:16,120 previous CFO in 2024. 1513 01:10:21,920 --> 01:10:27,440 Now, there are other professional 1514 01:10:23,760 --> 01:10:30,000 contracted services that increase due to 1515 01:10:27,440 --> 01:10:31,840 um collective agreement bargaining. Uh I 1516 01:10:30,000 --> 01:10:35,120 made sure not to include those costs 1517 01:10:31,840 --> 01:10:37,760 when we looked at budgeting in for 2026. 1518 01:10:35,120 --> 01:10:43,120 So therefore, uh you see the increase 1519 01:10:37,760 --> 01:10:45,920 from 25 to 26 is 6% or 373,000. 1520 01:10:43,120 --> 01:10:48,239 Uh now the big portion of that is as I 1521 01:10:45,920 --> 01:10:50,400 just showed you in the previous chart um 1522 01:10:48,239 --> 01:10:54,239 it's the RCMP 1523 01:10:50,400 --> 01:10:57,760 um increase uh we're projecting 266 that 1524 01:10:54,239 --> 01:10:59,679 includes the 57,000 that I've budgeted 1525 01:10:57,760 --> 01:11:05,360 for the retroactive pay of 3 and a 1526 01:10:59,679 --> 01:11:07,840 half%. Um the remaining 106,000 1527 01:11:05,360 --> 01:11:10,880 uh would be due to the revival of the 1528 01:11:07,840 --> 01:11:14,400 public safety department. uh the 60,000 1529 01:11:10,880 --> 01:11:17,440 for the uh downtown study and then there 1530 01:11:14,400 --> 01:11:19,040 were some other minor changes in new 1531 01:11:17,440 --> 01:11:22,000 budget requests. For example, one of 1532 01:11:19,040 --> 01:11:25,199 them would be uh in police there's a 1533 01:11:22,000 --> 01:11:28,640 increase from 10,000 to 17,500. That's 1534 01:11:25,199 --> 01:11:32,280 the citizens on patrol um covering the 1535 01:11:28,640 --> 01:11:32,280 vehicle maintenance costs 1536 01:11:33,600 --> 01:11:40,400 um for materials, goods and supplies. 1537 01:11:37,520 --> 01:11:43,360 uh when we look at 25 actual or 1538 01:11:40,400 --> 01:11:45,440 unodudited actual to 2025 budgeted the 1539 01:11:43,360 --> 01:11:47,520 difference there was mainly due to uh 1540 01:11:45,440 --> 01:11:49,440 water consumption was higher than 1541 01:11:47,520 --> 01:11:52,800 estimated I believe there were a couple 1542 01:11:49,440 --> 01:11:55,120 of main breaks that were were unexpected 1543 01:11:52,800 --> 01:11:57,600 um and I believe they're sort of in the 1544 01:11:55,120 --> 01:12:00,320 similar area but those were all offset 1545 01:11:57,600 --> 01:12:01,760 by uh you know a lower operation spend 1546 01:12:00,320 --> 01:12:05,920 especially due to a lot of the 1547 01:12:01,760 --> 01:12:09,600 uncertainties in um 2025 in the tail end 1548 01:12:05,920 --> 01:12:12,960 of 2025 there. Um but when we budget for 1549 01:12:09,600 --> 01:12:15,840 2026 we there is an increase of 15% and 1550 01:12:12,960 --> 01:12:18,080 that is mainly due to um that would be 1551 01:12:15,840 --> 01:12:21,440 for the water consumption. 1552 01:12:18,080 --> 01:12:24,159 So there you know 673 1553 01:12:21,440 --> 01:12:27,360 uh increase in the revenue side 640,000 1554 01:12:24,159 --> 01:12:29,679 increase on the on the expense side as 1555 01:12:27,360 --> 01:12:31,920 well. You need to factor in that each 1556 01:12:29,679 --> 01:12:36,080 facility also uses water as well. So 1557 01:12:31,920 --> 01:12:38,800 those need to go up. Um, 1558 01:12:36,080 --> 01:12:41,040 and so there, uh, as I mentioned 1559 01:12:38,800 --> 01:12:42,960 earlier, we did go through with each 1560 01:12:41,040 --> 01:12:45,199 department, went through line by line, 1561 01:12:42,960 --> 01:12:48,159 looked at the past 5 years, um, looked 1562 01:12:45,199 --> 01:12:52,159 at areas where we could possibly, um, 1563 01:12:48,159 --> 01:12:54,159 reallocate or uh, maybe just based on 1564 01:12:52,159 --> 01:12:56,239 historical trends, we we don't need that 1565 01:12:54,159 --> 01:12:59,920 budget allocation there. This is one of 1566 01:12:56,239 --> 01:13:04,000 those areas where um we were able to 1567 01:12:59,920 --> 01:13:07,280 make those um 1568 01:13:04,000 --> 01:13:10,000 uh to get the 2026 to 28 uh budget 1569 01:13:07,280 --> 01:13:12,159 balanced. 1570 01:13:10,000 --> 01:13:14,800 Uh next item, bank charge and interest. 1571 01:13:12,159 --> 01:13:16,880 This one is it's a very small item but 1572 01:13:14,800 --> 01:13:20,719 it grows it goes up by significant 1573 01:13:16,880 --> 01:13:22,640 amount. Um this is just bank charges and 1574 01:13:20,719 --> 01:13:26,800 interest. So that relates to our debit 1575 01:13:22,640 --> 01:13:29,920 terminals, our um authorized.net online 1576 01:13:26,800 --> 01:13:32,000 uh payment portal. Um there are fees 1577 01:13:29,920 --> 01:13:33,840 associated with accepting credit card 1578 01:13:32,000 --> 01:13:35,600 transactions. Uh just so council is 1579 01:13:33,840 --> 01:13:38,480 aware, we do not allow credit card 1580 01:13:35,600 --> 01:13:41,440 transactions at at the office. So we do 1581 01:13:38,480 --> 01:13:44,239 not accept credit cards for uh taxes, 1582 01:13:41,440 --> 01:13:46,159 utilities, uh business licenses, uh 1583 01:13:44,239 --> 01:13:48,800 development permits unless they choose 1584 01:13:46,159 --> 01:13:51,199 to pay online through our website uh 1585 01:13:48,800 --> 01:13:53,040 where we use Pay Simply. But pay simply 1586 01:13:51,199 --> 01:13:56,719 adds on and an administrative fee to 1587 01:13:53,040 --> 01:14:00,239 cover that on their end. Um and we just 1588 01:13:56,719 --> 01:14:02,880 receive the payment. Um however uh 1589 01:14:00,239 --> 01:14:05,120 recreation fees uh they can be paid 1590 01:14:02,880 --> 01:14:09,360 online through credit card and and those 1591 01:14:05,120 --> 01:14:11,280 are you know uh you know we should have 1592 01:14:09,360 --> 01:14:13,600 well this is one of those items where it 1593 01:14:11,280 --> 01:14:16,800 is a smaller item but we should try and 1594 01:14:13,600 --> 01:14:19,760 reflect for actual what we actually are 1595 01:14:16,800 --> 01:14:23,199 seeing um as far as you know transaction 1596 01:14:19,760 --> 01:14:28,719 volumes. Um, and so you'll see that for 1597 01:14:23,199 --> 01:14:30,880 26, we've just allocated 25,000 there. 1598 01:14:28,719 --> 01:14:32,480 Uh, principal debt repayments, uh, I 1599 01:14:30,880 --> 01:14:35,920 don't think I need to go into that any 1600 01:14:32,480 --> 01:14:38,159 deeper. Um, I there's no changes since 1601 01:14:35,920 --> 01:14:39,840 the first operating budget presentation 1602 01:14:38,159 --> 01:14:41,440 where we went through the list of 1603 01:14:39,840 --> 01:14:46,400 current deentures and the ones coming 1604 01:14:41,440 --> 01:14:49,679 online in 2026. Um this 1605 01:14:46,400 --> 01:14:51,920 uh this does include the like I said the 1606 01:14:49,679 --> 01:14:54,640 financing costs for the water rights 1607 01:14:51,920 --> 01:14:57,920 purchase that we're projecting. Um I 1608 01:14:54,640 --> 01:15:02,239 believe in the first in 2026 I budgeted 1609 01:14:57,920 --> 01:15:05,280 60,000 and then in 2027 uh 75,000 just 1610 01:15:02,239 --> 01:15:07,600 to make sure that u just because this 1611 01:15:05,280 --> 01:15:09,440 isn't a dementia that we can get through 1612 01:15:07,600 --> 01:15:12,239 the province. It has to be a dementia 1613 01:15:09,440 --> 01:15:14,640 that we get through um like a major bank 1614 01:15:12,239 --> 01:15:17,600 for example. So, we might not get the 1615 01:15:14,640 --> 01:15:21,520 types of rates that we could at um 1616 01:15:17,600 --> 01:15:25,679 through the loans to local authorities. 1617 01:15:21,520 --> 01:15:27,760 Um other expenses, uh now this includes 1618 01:15:25,679 --> 01:15:29,600 tax write-offs. Um that would be for 1619 01:15:27,760 --> 01:15:33,600 volunteer firefighters as well as for 1620 01:15:29,600 --> 01:15:37,120 the tax incentive program. Um, now this 1621 01:15:33,600 --> 01:15:39,679 you can see the 2025 actual uh will we 1622 01:15:37,120 --> 01:15:41,360 will only be writing off 550,000 and and 1623 01:15:39,679 --> 01:15:44,159 part of that is because we received a 1624 01:15:41,360 --> 01:15:46,880 pay uh payment in advance of taxes 1625 01:15:44,159 --> 01:15:48,800 outside of that incentive program. Um 1626 01:15:46,880 --> 01:15:52,719 but until that 2025 year end is 1627 01:15:48,800 --> 01:15:57,400 finalized. We won't um yeah we won't be 1628 01:15:52,719 --> 01:15:57,400 able to see what what um 1629 01:16:00,480 --> 01:16:06,560 um but the reason why that number is 1630 01:16:03,280 --> 01:16:08,880 increasing for 2026 is due to just the 1631 01:16:06,560 --> 01:16:10,719 inflation. So as I mentioned earlier for 1632 01:16:08,880 --> 01:16:14,000 non-residential portion our 1633 01:16:10,719 --> 01:16:16,239 non-residential taxes we we don't factor 1634 01:16:14,000 --> 01:16:19,920 out inflation in calculating the mail 1635 01:16:16,239 --> 01:16:21,600 rate uh when we keep it at 10 which is 1636 01:16:19,920 --> 01:16:23,360 um you know half a left bridge for 1637 01:16:21,600 --> 01:16:24,960 example. 1638 01:16:23,360 --> 01:16:27,840 Um 1639 01:16:24,960 --> 01:16:29,679 so that's the only change in in was just 1640 01:16:27,840 --> 01:16:33,280 based on the incentive program those 1641 01:16:29,679 --> 01:16:35,679 properties going up in value. 1642 01:16:33,280 --> 01:16:37,760 Uh as far as the next line item 1643 01:16:35,679 --> 01:16:39,360 government transfers expense. Now, this 1644 01:16:37,760 --> 01:16:41,840 is going to be transfers that the town 1645 01:16:39,360 --> 01:16:44,719 of Coldell makes to other organizations, 1646 01:16:41,840 --> 01:16:48,520 other municipalities. Uh, one of the 1647 01:16:44,719 --> 01:16:48,520 reasons for the 1648 01:16:50,000 --> 01:16:57,120 um overbudget. Um, we budgeted 4.6 and 1649 01:16:55,040 --> 01:17:00,159 came in at 4.8671. 1650 01:16:57,120 --> 01:17:03,760 Major item there is the 205,000 for the 1651 01:17:00,159 --> 01:17:06,080 horsefly spillway. Um, that was an item 1652 01:17:03,760 --> 01:17:08,800 that came up kind of midway through the 1653 01:17:06,080 --> 01:17:11,679 year. um council probably remembers um 1654 01:17:08,800 --> 01:17:14,159 that that had to come out of uh 1655 01:17:11,679 --> 01:17:14,719 reserves, but it's a transfer that um we 1656 01:17:14,159 --> 01:17:17,679 made [clears throat] 1657 01:17:14,719 --> 01:17:20,239 and that's where it hit the hit the 1658 01:17:17,679 --> 01:17:25,280 expenses. 1659 01:17:20,239 --> 01:17:27,600 Um as far as the 2026 budget, um as I 1660 01:17:25,280 --> 01:17:29,360 mentioned earlier, I just we kept 1661 01:17:27,600 --> 01:17:31,679 provincial education and green acres 1662 01:17:29,360 --> 01:17:34,640 requisition mill rates the same as they 1663 01:17:31,679 --> 01:17:36,320 were in 2025. and we can revisit that uh 1664 01:17:34,640 --> 01:17:39,840 in the spring with the property tax 1665 01:17:36,320 --> 01:17:42,400 bylaw. Um although I did factor in for 1666 01:17:39,840 --> 01:17:44,080 the growth right so if we if we are 1667 01:17:42,400 --> 01:17:46,159 expecting growth on the tax side we 1668 01:17:44,080 --> 01:17:50,560 should also expect a growth on the 1669 01:17:46,159 --> 01:17:52,239 requisition side um so I just have a 1670 01:17:50,560 --> 01:17:56,239 small note there you know decreasing the 1671 01:17:52,239 --> 01:18:00,400 residential mill rates uh you know if 1672 01:17:56,239 --> 01:18:02,320 requisitions go up you'll start uh 1673 01:18:00,400 --> 01:18:05,199 you'll start seeing less taxes available 1674 01:18:02,320 --> 01:18:06,960 for municipal purposes. Uh and then the 1675 01:18:05,199 --> 01:18:09,120 last line there is transfers to 1676 01:18:06,960 --> 01:18:11,440 reserves. Now this is where you know I 1677 01:18:09,120 --> 01:18:14,400 kept a close eye on and this is the last 1678 01:18:11,440 --> 01:18:17,360 area I would touch um when it came to 1679 01:18:14,400 --> 01:18:20,480 preparing the 2026 to 2028 budget 1680 01:18:17,360 --> 01:18:22,960 because this line item includes what we 1681 01:18:20,480 --> 01:18:25,520 budget for reserves at the end of the 1682 01:18:22,960 --> 01:18:29,120 year for capital future capital uh 1683 01:18:25,520 --> 01:18:32,159 current capital projects um and also for 1684 01:18:29,120 --> 01:18:34,560 operating. So that 3 point uh what that 1685 01:18:32,159 --> 01:18:36,800 3 million isn't all transfers to capital 1686 01:18:34,560 --> 01:18:39,920 reserves as I mentioned we put money 1687 01:18:36,800 --> 01:18:41,600 away for ongoing programs as well as for 1688 01:18:39,920 --> 01:18:46,480 that also includes transfers to 1689 01:18:41,600 --> 01:18:51,120 operating reserves for future years. Um 1690 01:18:46,480 --> 01:18:53,440 so with that um we get to uh bottom 1691 01:18:51,120 --> 01:18:58,560 figure which is balanced without relying 1692 01:18:53,440 --> 01:19:02,239 on any tax increases for residential 1693 01:18:58,560 --> 01:19:03,760 um and factoring in growth, making 1694 01:19:02,239 --> 01:19:06,080 adjustments across the board for 1695 01:19:03,760 --> 01:19:08,800 salaries and wages. um making certain 1696 01:19:06,080 --> 01:19:11,360 cuts in areas uh where where they might 1697 01:19:08,800 --> 01:19:14,239 not be needed, but then also increasing 1698 01:19:11,360 --> 01:19:17,199 where we know for a fact that we need to 1699 01:19:14,239 --> 01:19:18,960 budget more. Um 1700 01:19:17,199 --> 01:19:21,520 you know, we've tried to capture as much 1701 01:19:18,960 --> 01:19:24,800 as possible. Um but uh you know, 1702 01:19:21,520 --> 01:19:28,800 budgeting isn't isn't a perfect science. 1703 01:19:24,800 --> 01:19:32,159 Um but I we are pretty comfortable with 1704 01:19:28,800 --> 01:19:36,000 presenting this budget that 1705 01:19:32,159 --> 01:19:38,320 uh is balanced without um a request for 1706 01:19:36,000 --> 01:19:41,920 a tax increase. Um and then and then 1707 01:19:38,320 --> 01:19:44,400 although 27 and 28 are balanced um a few 1708 01:19:41,920 --> 01:19:47,679 things I will note is that yes for some 1709 01:19:44,400 --> 01:19:52,960 revenue items we projected growth. So 1710 01:19:47,679 --> 01:19:57,840 taxes we projected 3.25% 3.25% 25% 1711 01:19:52,960 --> 01:20:01,520 uh utilities uh just sort of like a 1712 01:19:57,840 --> 01:20:03,760 I believe you know like a 3% maybe not 1713 01:20:01,520 --> 01:20:07,280 the same as the growth in tax but there 1714 01:20:03,760 --> 01:20:14,280 is a growth um factored in for rates 1715 01:20:07,280 --> 01:20:14,280 utilities and other uh fees. Um 1716 01:20:14,400 --> 01:20:20,400 and then license permits and fees um you 1717 01:20:17,679 --> 01:20:23,199 can see smaller increases there. uh 1718 01:20:20,400 --> 01:20:25,920 franchise fees. Um so this is one area 1719 01:20:23,199 --> 01:20:28,080 where I would say you should expect 1720 01:20:25,920 --> 01:20:31,040 growth. Um I just didn't budget those 1721 01:20:28,080 --> 01:20:32,640 in. But there are um like I said it is 1722 01:20:31,040 --> 01:20:34,480 balanced currently without that. And 1723 01:20:32,640 --> 01:20:37,440 then you'll see on the expense side not 1724 01:20:34,480 --> 01:20:40,480 everything goes up either. So um you 1725 01:20:37,440 --> 01:20:43,280 know at the end of the day um some of 1726 01:20:40,480 --> 01:20:46,480 these items will end up offsetting. So 1727 01:20:43,280 --> 01:20:48,960 if you uh just for 1728 01:20:46,480 --> 01:20:50,480 um for the sake of transparency, I 1729 01:20:48,960 --> 01:20:53,199 included 1730 01:20:50,480 --> 01:20:55,840 the line by line budgets for every 1731 01:20:53,199 --> 01:20:58,400 single department. Um just to kind of 1732 01:20:55,840 --> 01:21:00,560 show you where those allocation changes 1733 01:20:58,400 --> 01:21:03,120 were and where those smaller requests 1734 01:21:00,560 --> 01:21:04,880 come in. Um I tried to make a note on 1735 01:21:03,120 --> 01:21:07,199 each page 1736 01:21:04,880 --> 01:21:10,159 um just to show where the variances 1737 01:21:07,199 --> 01:21:12,400 occurred um year-over-year. And you 1738 01:21:10,159 --> 01:21:16,159 might notice if you look at one for 1739 01:21:12,400 --> 01:21:18,000 example, you might notice that um you 1740 01:21:16,159 --> 01:21:19,760 know the expense side doesn't really 1741 01:21:18,000 --> 01:21:21,600 change. So this is one of those items 1742 01:21:19,760 --> 01:21:25,280 where I just want council to be aware 1743 01:21:21,600 --> 01:21:28,560 for example um 1744 01:21:25,280 --> 01:21:30,880 for for revenue uh we increased where we 1745 01:21:28,560 --> 01:21:32,960 could but for certain expense items they 1746 01:21:30,880 --> 01:21:34,880 are the same year-over-year. Now, that 1747 01:21:32,960 --> 01:21:37,520 is because we do allow for a little bit 1748 01:21:34,880 --> 01:21:39,280 of flexibility within the budget for uh 1749 01:21:37,520 --> 01:21:44,239 you know, those unexpected things that 1750 01:21:39,280 --> 01:21:46,400 happened. Um after I looked at um like I 1751 01:21:44,239 --> 01:21:49,360 said, after I backed out all of the 1752 01:21:46,400 --> 01:21:51,520 organizationwide sort of fixed charges, 1753 01:21:49,360 --> 01:21:54,159 we were left with about 3.5 million of, 1754 01:21:51,520 --> 01:21:56,000 you know, your discretionary. Um if you 1755 01:21:54,159 --> 01:21:57,840 allow for about a little bit of 1756 01:21:56,000 --> 01:22:01,840 contingency, it was it was no more than 1757 01:21:57,840 --> 01:22:04,000 10%. Um, but within these items, you 1758 01:22:01,840 --> 01:22:06,719 know, it's only a matter of time before, 1759 01:22:04,000 --> 01:22:08,960 you know, $2,000 in 2025 will not get 1760 01:22:06,719 --> 01:22:12,480 you the same amount of stuff as in 20 1761 01:22:08,960 --> 01:22:13,840 Oh, sorry, that's 26. But, um, you know, 1762 01:22:12,480 --> 01:22:15,360 the same amount of money is not going to 1763 01:22:13,840 --> 01:22:18,480 get you the same things two years down 1764 01:22:15,360 --> 01:22:20,880 the road. Um, so just to be aware, a lot 1765 01:22:18,480 --> 01:22:26,840 of these discretionary items I did not 1766 01:22:20,880 --> 01:22:26,840 increase um by any factor. Um, 1767 01:22:27,280 --> 01:22:33,400 um, 1768 01:22:29,760 --> 01:22:33,400 so yeah, I 1769 01:22:39,199 --> 01:22:45,600 but uh certain expense items that I did 1770 01:22:41,760 --> 01:22:47,520 increase are wages. I I sort of based on 1771 01:22:45,600 --> 01:22:50,159 the department and the makeup of each 1772 01:22:47,520 --> 01:22:53,520 department I did do anywhere from a 1 1773 01:22:50,159 --> 01:22:56,560 and a half to a 3% or six actually one 1774 01:22:53,520 --> 01:22:59,920 and a half to possibly even a four or 5% 1775 01:22:56,560 --> 01:23:02,000 increase in wages just based on you know 1776 01:22:59,920 --> 01:23:05,840 are they mostly union staff are they 1777 01:23:02,000 --> 01:23:07,679 exempt are they um for example um you 1778 01:23:05,840 --> 01:23:10,000 know if a department is all exempt then 1779 01:23:07,679 --> 01:23:13,040 I would only increase it one and a half 1780 01:23:10,000 --> 01:23:16,800 uh% per year type 1781 01:23:13,040 --> 01:23:18,960 Uh for expenses, uh like I said, RCMP is 1782 01:23:16,800 --> 01:23:21,199 one of the big ones. I I've budgeted 1783 01:23:18,960 --> 01:23:24,639 that out to increase uh based on the 1784 01:23:21,199 --> 01:23:27,280 forecast that received. Um and as I 1785 01:23:24,639 --> 01:23:30,480 mentioned, you know, I did just um these 1786 01:23:27,280 --> 01:23:34,320 are the assumptions that I made for uh 1787 01:23:30,480 --> 01:23:36,719 net member uh utilization, 1788 01:23:34,320 --> 01:23:41,520 right? keeping it within that 80 to 90% 1789 01:23:36,719 --> 01:23:43,840 range um I think should should um be 1790 01:23:41,520 --> 01:23:46,320 safe. 1791 01:23:43,840 --> 01:23:48,880 Um couple of other slides here that I 1792 01:23:46,320 --> 01:23:50,560 wanted to mention. There was a $150,000 1793 01:23:48,880 --> 01:23:52,480 decrease in the emergency services 1794 01:23:50,560 --> 01:23:54,880 agreement. However, as you can see in 1795 01:23:52,480 --> 01:23:57,760 this chart, um you know, call volumes 1796 01:23:54,880 --> 01:24:00,159 aren't going to magically go down as 1797 01:23:57,760 --> 01:24:01,679 well at the same time. So there's added 1798 01:24:00,159 --> 01:24:04,080 pressure in that department to keep 1799 01:24:01,679 --> 01:24:06,719 things um to keep service levels 1800 01:24:04,080 --> 01:24:09,600 maintained. Um you know that is one of 1801 01:24:06,719 --> 01:24:10,480 the areas council can look at as well. 1802 01:24:09,600 --> 01:24:12,080 Um 1803 01:24:10,480 --> 01:24:14,000 » Avery has a question for you. 1804 01:24:12,080 --> 01:24:17,040 » Yeah, thanks Tim. And this question 1805 01:24:14,000 --> 01:24:19,440 could be for the the chief. Um so I 1806 01:24:17,040 --> 01:24:21,920 notice our medical calls keep going up 1807 01:24:19,440 --> 01:24:23,040 and up and up and up. Um years back the 1808 01:24:21,920 --> 01:24:25,120 province says that was their 1809 01:24:23,040 --> 01:24:28,080 responsibility. It seems like it's 1810 01:24:25,120 --> 01:24:29,840 falling back onto our rate payers again. 1811 01:24:28,080 --> 01:24:31,440 Uh, is there something we need to do as 1812 01:24:29,840 --> 01:24:36,040 council to start lobbying to get some 1813 01:24:31,440 --> 01:24:36,040 extra funding for this type of stuff? 1814 01:24:47,280 --> 01:24:50,719 Uh, thank you for the question, 1815 01:24:48,719 --> 01:24:54,159 Councelor Avery. Uh, yeah, we still see 1816 01:24:50,719 --> 01:24:56,639 our medical uh, call volumes going up. 1817 01:24:54,159 --> 01:24:59,199 Uh I would say that our our fire has 1818 01:24:56,639 --> 01:25:01,040 been going up as well. Uh it hasn't the 1819 01:24:59,199 --> 01:25:03,920 medical hasn't maybe climbed as 1820 01:25:01,040 --> 01:25:06,159 drastically as it was at one point. Um 1821 01:25:03,920 --> 01:25:09,280 but we are seeing that burden uh come 1822 01:25:06,159 --> 01:25:10,880 back again. Uh it'll be a statistic that 1823 01:25:09,280 --> 01:25:14,639 you guys will see in the year- end 1824 01:25:10,880 --> 01:25:18,800 report upcoming. But uh we did have um 1825 01:25:14,639 --> 01:25:20,880 35 code reds last year. Uh but this year 1826 01:25:18,800 --> 01:25:22,639 um 1827 01:25:20,880 --> 01:25:26,080 serve memory serves me right, we've 1828 01:25:22,639 --> 01:25:30,080 already had almost 15 uh in January and 1829 01:25:26,080 --> 01:25:33,120 February. Uh so uh we've seen a lot of 1830 01:25:30,080 --> 01:25:36,480 ambulances shut down throughout the uh 1831 01:25:33,120 --> 01:25:38,639 year this year so far and a lot of uh 1832 01:25:36,480 --> 01:25:41,199 knocking down ambulances to BLS. So are 1833 01:25:38,639 --> 01:25:43,760 ambulances covering other uh communities 1834 01:25:41,199 --> 01:25:46,480 in the last month or so. Uh so I think 1835 01:25:43,760 --> 01:25:50,239 there is uh that ability for more 1836 01:25:46,480 --> 01:25:52,320 lobbying either for more supports for um 1837 01:25:50,239 --> 01:25:55,120 fire departments because they do do uh 1838 01:25:52,320 --> 01:25:57,040 some of their direct financial supports 1839 01:25:55,120 --> 01:26:02,280 for us as well but it's a fairly small 1840 01:25:57,040 --> 01:26:02,280 amount uh what we do get out of that 1841 01:26:23,199 --> 01:26:28,320 Okay. Um, 1842 01:26:26,320 --> 01:26:31,199 okay. Some of the other slides that we 1843 01:26:28,320 --> 01:26:32,800 may not have touched on. Um, yeah, we 1844 01:26:31,199 --> 01:26:35,600 looked at the assessment growth, 1845 01:26:32,800 --> 01:26:39,040 residential, non-residential tax split. 1846 01:26:35,600 --> 01:26:41,760 Um, the current mill rates in 2025. 1847 01:26:39,040 --> 01:26:44,159 uh the changes potential changes to the 1848 01:26:41,760 --> 01:26:50,520 mill rate based on tax increases of 1 to 1849 01:26:44,159 --> 01:26:50,520 3% and the revenue impact. Um 1850 01:26:51,040 --> 01:26:55,920 and then the impact to the resident on 1851 01:26:53,360 --> 01:26:58,400 on the based on the value of property. 1852 01:26:55,920 --> 01:27:00,400 Uh we looked at the taxers balance. We 1853 01:26:58,400 --> 01:27:03,199 looked at some of the other factors that 1854 01:27:00,400 --> 01:27:06,960 may have hit residents in 2026 already 1855 01:27:03,199 --> 01:27:08,960 or are upcoming. Um, and then we've 1856 01:27:06,960 --> 01:27:11,199 talked about the budget approach, which 1857 01:27:08,960 --> 01:27:13,920 was very important to kind of explain 1858 01:27:11,199 --> 01:27:15,920 before we even went into the budget. So, 1859 01:27:13,920 --> 01:27:20,080 uh, we did that and now I'm on my final 1860 01:27:15,920 --> 01:27:23,920 slide. So, um, as I mentioned, uh, the 1861 01:27:20,080 --> 01:27:25,440 26 to 28, um, draft operating budget is 1862 01:27:23,920 --> 01:27:27,840 currently balanced without any plan 1863 01:27:25,440 --> 01:27:29,920 increases to the municipal portion of 1864 01:27:27,840 --> 01:27:32,239 residential taxes outside of growth. And 1865 01:27:29,920 --> 01:27:36,560 these are the growth assumptions used in 1866 01:27:32,239 --> 01:27:38,239 2026, 2027 and 2028. Uh where we used 1867 01:27:36,560 --> 01:27:42,639 4.35%, 1868 01:27:38,239 --> 01:27:44,800 3.25% and 3.25% for growth. Uh inflation 1869 01:27:42,639 --> 01:27:48,239 for residential assessment values in 1870 01:27:44,800 --> 01:27:50,190 2026 is estimated by the assessor to be 1871 01:27:48,239 --> 01:27:50,800 10.23%. 1872 01:27:50,190 --> 01:27:53,120 [clears throat] 1873 01:27:50,800 --> 01:27:55,120 Um the non-residential property 1874 01:27:53,120 --> 01:27:59,520 assessment growth is estimated at just 1875 01:27:55,120 --> 01:28:01,760 under 3% at 2.88 in 2026. Uh and then we 1876 01:27:59,520 --> 01:28:04,639 did not adjust the mill rate for 1877 01:28:01,760 --> 01:28:07,120 inflation of 9.3%. 1878 01:28:04,639 --> 01:28:09,760 Um there's no changes to the franchise 1879 01:28:07,120 --> 01:28:11,679 fees for 2026. We didn't project any 1880 01:28:09,760 --> 01:28:14,719 increases to the franchise fee rates for 1881 01:28:11,679 --> 01:28:18,639 gas or electricity. Um and then there is 1882 01:28:14,719 --> 01:28:20,719 that fees and rates bylaw that um 1883 01:28:18,639 --> 01:28:22,960 you know we can pass later but it it 1884 01:28:20,719 --> 01:28:24,320 won't have any well I don't I can't 1885 01:28:22,960 --> 01:28:28,960 assume there will be a significant 1886 01:28:24,320 --> 01:28:31,600 impact to um the draft operating budget. 1887 01:28:28,960 --> 01:28:34,320 Um however that is set to come back to 1888 01:28:31,600 --> 01:28:36,719 council at a later date. 1889 01:28:34,320 --> 01:28:38,800 Um 1890 01:28:36,719 --> 01:28:41,120 utility rates, we've increased them for 1891 01:28:38,800 --> 01:28:43,520 2026 across the board. And then for 1892 01:28:41,120 --> 01:28:47,840 consumption uh to take effect on April 1893 01:28:43,520 --> 01:28:50,400 1st for water and bulk sewer and at this 1894 01:28:47,840 --> 01:28:52,159 time there are no projected increases to 1895 01:28:50,400 --> 01:28:54,080 utility rates that are programmed into 1896 01:28:52,159 --> 01:28:56,320 the revenues and that budget that we've 1897 01:28:54,080 --> 01:28:58,880 seen there. So it's just simply growth. 1898 01:28:56,320 --> 01:29:02,639 We're just kind of being slightly more 1899 01:28:58,880 --> 01:29:04,320 aggressive in in growth. Um 1900 01:29:02,639 --> 01:29:06,320 and then as far as capital reserve 1901 01:29:04,320 --> 01:29:08,320 transfers, as I mentioned earlier, I 1902 01:29:06,320 --> 01:29:11,840 would like I would like to see some kind 1903 01:29:08,320 --> 01:29:14,719 of uh reserve strategy developed uh for 1904 01:29:11,840 --> 01:29:17,679 2027 and and as we move forward with 1905 01:29:14,719 --> 01:29:22,560 asset management. Um they do decrease 1906 01:29:17,679 --> 01:29:28,080 slightly um from 2026 through to 2028 by 1907 01:29:22,560 --> 01:29:32,560 about 165,000 or 5%. Um but again there 1908 01:29:28,080 --> 01:29:35,199 um you know next year well when we 1909 01:29:32,560 --> 01:29:37,760 budget for 2027 that will be in the fall 1910 01:29:35,199 --> 01:29:40,239 even by then even in the seven months 1911 01:29:37,760 --> 01:29:42,639 from now till then there we'll probably 1912 01:29:40,239 --> 01:29:45,679 have new assumptions new lots of things 1913 01:29:42,639 --> 01:29:48,320 will have probably changed so um that is 1914 01:29:45,679 --> 01:29:50,239 something that we can uh like I said I 1915 01:29:48,320 --> 01:29:52,239 we keep a close eye on we don't want to 1916 01:29:50,239 --> 01:29:55,440 see that amount decrease as we grow our 1917 01:29:52,239 --> 01:29:58,000 asset base is the 1918 01:29:55,440 --> 01:29:59,440 the story 1919 01:29:58,000 --> 01:30:03,520 » Has a question. 1920 01:29:59,440 --> 01:30:06,159 » Uh yeah, thank you, Mayor. Um Tim, um 1921 01:30:03,520 --> 01:30:08,719 the wreck levy, I know you haven't 1922 01:30:06,159 --> 01:30:11,679 mentioned it anywhere in here yet, but 1923 01:30:08,719 --> 01:30:16,239 you consider that to be a rate as a a 1924 01:30:11,679 --> 01:30:19,920 rate and fee or a tax or a levy. 1925 01:30:16,239 --> 01:30:22,719 » Uh I believe it's a special tax. Um, and 1926 01:30:19,920 --> 01:30:24,239 it it is included I believe in this 1927 01:30:22,719 --> 01:30:25,600 overall 1928 01:30:24,239 --> 01:30:27,600 uh I might have to 1929 01:30:25,600 --> 01:30:29,520 » Yeah, it is it you do show it in there 1930 01:30:27,600 --> 01:30:32,080 as a 2.14 1931 01:30:29,520 --> 01:30:34,000 I think increase which 1932 01:30:32,080 --> 01:30:36,320 » When I first read it I thought oh 1933 01:30:34,000 --> 01:30:39,760 there's an increase but I think you're 1934 01:30:36,320 --> 01:30:42,560 you're you're using the population or um 1935 01:30:39,760 --> 01:30:44,719 housing growth as the increase for the 1936 01:30:42,560 --> 01:30:45,920 levies. Am I correct on that? 1937 01:30:44,719 --> 01:30:47,440 » Yeah, that's correct. We're not 1938 01:30:45,920 --> 01:30:50,719 increasing, we're not setting to 1939 01:30:47,440 --> 01:30:52,719 increase the wreck levy uh rate. Um it's 1940 01:30:50,719 --> 01:30:54,800 just due to growth. We're just kind of 1941 01:30:52,719 --> 01:30:57,520 adjusting that number. 1942 01:30:54,800 --> 01:31:00,000 » Second question to you. Um with regards 1943 01:30:57,520 --> 01:31:03,040 to these arars, like that's over half a 1944 01:31:00,000 --> 01:31:06,560 million dollars, $560,000 1945 01:31:03,040 --> 01:31:09,280 a year. Are we able to collect 100% of 1946 01:31:06,560 --> 01:31:11,280 that or is that like it seems like that 1947 01:31:09,280 --> 01:31:15,120 number is pretty constant? Uh over half 1948 01:31:11,280 --> 01:31:17,760 a million every year. Uh yeah, so those 1949 01:31:15,120 --> 01:31:20,080 numbers came from our tax specialist. Um 1950 01:31:17,760 --> 01:31:22,480 she does keep a close eye on the rears. 1951 01:31:20,080 --> 01:31:24,159 Um there are certain MGA requirements. 1952 01:31:22,480 --> 01:31:26,000 Um 1953 01:31:24,159 --> 01:31:27,760 you know there are notices that need to 1954 01:31:26,000 --> 01:31:30,880 be done. There are certain steps you 1955 01:31:27,760 --> 01:31:33,360 have to take before you know an AR's 1956 01:31:30,880 --> 01:31:34,719 balance reaches 3 years and then you 1957 01:31:33,360 --> 01:31:36,719 know at the end of three years then 1958 01:31:34,719 --> 01:31:39,520 there's the tax sale process. So they're 1959 01:31:36,719 --> 01:31:41,840 they're um 1960 01:31:39,520 --> 01:31:43,360 from her side of things she does keep a 1961 01:31:41,840 --> 01:31:46,639 close eye on it and she does say that 1962 01:31:43,360 --> 01:31:49,120 the number of accounts in a rears 1963 01:31:46,639 --> 01:31:51,199 doesn't seem to grow doesn't seem to 1964 01:31:49,120 --> 01:31:53,520 change too significantly. So then the 1965 01:31:51,199 --> 01:31:57,360 the balance might grow but the number of 1966 01:31:53,520 --> 01:31:59,920 aars accounts um isn't um there's no 1967 01:31:57,360 --> 01:32:00,880 drastic increases in that regard. 1968 01:31:59,920 --> 01:32:04,388 » Okay. Thank you. 1969 01:32:00,880 --> 01:32:04,388 » Yeah. [snorts] 1970 01:32:07,120 --> 01:32:11,520 Um, so I guess a final note, keep in 1971 01:32:10,000 --> 01:32:14,000 mind that most of the expense slide 1972 01:32:11,520 --> 01:32:15,920 items, uh, except for the ones that we 1973 01:32:14,000 --> 01:32:17,920 really took a closer look at those 1974 01:32:15,920 --> 01:32:20,480 bigger items like salaries and wages, 1975 01:32:17,920 --> 01:32:24,239 RCMP, and some of our contractual 1976 01:32:20,480 --> 01:32:27,360 obligations. Um, we adjusted for those 1977 01:32:24,239 --> 01:32:29,440 for 27 and 28. Um, but the ones that 1978 01:32:27,360 --> 01:32:31,840 have not been adjusted for inflationary 1979 01:32:29,440 --> 01:32:34,320 year-over-year costs um are some of 1980 01:32:31,840 --> 01:32:36,080 those discretionary items. Um, but those 1981 01:32:34,320 --> 01:32:38,400 are those will be kind of related to 1982 01:32:36,080 --> 01:32:41,120 service levels. Um, you know, do you 1983 01:32:38,400 --> 01:32:43,440 reduce service levels as costs go up or 1984 01:32:41,120 --> 01:32:46,080 do you do you increase those? But 1985 01:32:43,440 --> 01:32:47,360 keeping in mind that ongoing expenses uh 1986 01:32:46,080 --> 01:32:49,199 are fund should be funded through 1987 01:32:47,360 --> 01:32:51,920 ongoing revenues. So either through new 1988 01:32:49,199 --> 01:32:56,320 growth or uh and not through surplus or 1989 01:32:51,920 --> 01:32:59,440 from reserves. Um 1990 01:32:56,320 --> 01:33:01,040 uh with that any future service level 1991 01:32:59,440 --> 01:33:03,520 enhancement requests, additional 1992 01:33:01,040 --> 01:33:05,440 operating expenses from you know the 1993 01:33:03,520 --> 01:33:08,800 construction or purchase of new capital 1994 01:33:05,440 --> 01:33:11,679 items uh insurance being one of them. Uh 1995 01:33:08,800 --> 01:33:14,000 or inflationary cost pressures uh will 1996 01:33:11,679 --> 01:33:16,480 need to be funded through an increase in 1997 01:33:14,000 --> 01:33:18,000 tax rates or fees. Uh so this is keeping 1998 01:33:16,480 --> 01:33:20,159 in line with that principled approach 1999 01:33:18,000 --> 01:33:21,840 that ongoing costs should be funded by 2000 01:33:20,159 --> 01:33:23,440 current revenues not surpluses or 2001 01:33:21,840 --> 01:33:26,560 reserves. 2002 01:33:23,440 --> 01:33:29,040 Um, now we do have another meeting 2003 01:33:26,560 --> 01:33:32,080 scheduled for Thursday, February 26th. 2004 01:33:29,040 --> 01:33:33,840 Um, maybe I'll 2005 01:33:32,080 --> 01:33:38,320 um 2006 01:33:33,840 --> 01:33:40,239 maybe I'll take a second here to um 2007 01:33:38,320 --> 01:33:42,000 kind of 2008 01:33:40,239 --> 01:33:44,719 see if there are any questions from 2009 01:33:42,000 --> 01:33:48,239 council on specific items. Um, I do have 2010 01:33:44,719 --> 01:33:50,400 all of my work here. I do have um these 2011 01:33:48,239 --> 01:33:53,520 individual departments and budget budget 2012 01:33:50,400 --> 01:33:55,280 line by budget line. Um if there's 2013 01:33:53,520 --> 01:33:57,920 anything 2014 01:33:55,280 --> 01:33:59,920 um you know if there any questions 2015 01:33:57,920 --> 01:34:00,880 » We're going to take a five minute 2016 01:33:59,920 --> 01:34:03,880 recess. 2017 01:34:00,880 --> 01:34:03,880 » Sure. 2018 01:42:25,280 --> 01:42:31,920 Thank you. We're have returned from our 2019 01:42:28,080 --> 01:42:34,719 break and 2020 01:42:31,920 --> 01:42:37,360 I'll open it up to our CFO one last 2021 01:42:34,719 --> 01:42:39,199 time. Do you have anything else to say 2022 01:42:37,360 --> 01:42:41,360 before I open it up to members of 2023 01:42:39,199 --> 01:42:43,520 council for question before we go into 2024 01:42:41,360 --> 01:42:46,320 close? 2025 01:42:43,520 --> 01:42:49,360 » Uh, no I don't. I think I' I've talked 2026 01:42:46,320 --> 01:42:50,800 fairly long. 2027 01:42:49,360 --> 01:42:51,360 » So I have nothing more to add. Thank 2028 01:42:50,800 --> 01:42:54,159 you. 2029 01:42:51,360 --> 01:42:58,560 » Okay. Thank you. 2030 01:42:54,159 --> 01:43:01,760 Any questions for our presenter? 2031 01:42:58,560 --> 01:43:03,760 Seeing none, [snorts] 2032 01:43:01,760 --> 01:43:07,199 I'm going to require a motion that 2033 01:43:03,760 --> 01:43:11,679 council move into close session at 6:43 2034 01:43:07,199 --> 01:43:14,000 p.m. in accordance with section 197-4-B 2035 01:43:11,679 --> 01:43:16,960 of the Municipal Government Act to 2036 01:43:14,000 --> 01:43:21,119 discuss matters exempt from disclosure 2037 01:43:16,960 --> 01:43:23,679 4. Section 19, disclosure harmful to the 2038 01:43:21,119 --> 01:43:26,880 business interests of a third party. 2039 01:43:23,679 --> 01:43:30,880 Section 20, disclosure harmful to 2040 01:43:26,880 --> 01:43:32,800 personal privacy. Section 30, disclosure 2041 01:43:30,880 --> 01:43:35,840 harmful to the economic and other 2042 01:43:32,800 --> 01:43:38,080 interests of a public body. Who cares to 2043 01:43:35,840 --> 01:43:40,480 make that motion? 2044 01:43:38,080 --> 01:43:44,440 Councelor Pickering? 2045 01:43:40,480 --> 01:43:44,440 I'll call for the vote. 2046 01:43:51,199 --> 01:43:55,880 And that vote is carried. Thank you. 2047 02:17:40,960 --> 02:17:47,679 Thank you. We're back in session again. 2048 02:17:44,080 --> 02:17:51,200 So, we just um finished our budget 2049 02:17:47,679 --> 02:17:55,359 deliberations and we had our chief 2050 02:17:51,200 --> 02:17:58,800 financial officer Tim Koba present. Tim, 2051 02:17:55,359 --> 02:18:02,399 great job on on that. Uh, I'm not sure 2052 02:17:58,800 --> 02:18:03,679 how you can stand doing your job when 2053 02:18:02,399 --> 02:18:05,840 you're looking at those spreadsheets, 2054 02:18:03,679 --> 02:18:08,559 but power to you for that. Appreciate 2055 02:18:05,840 --> 02:18:12,479 all the effort that your finance team 2056 02:18:08,559 --> 02:18:14,639 put into this. So, I'm looking for one 2057 02:18:12,479 --> 02:18:17,920 opportunity, one more opportunity for 2058 02:18:14,639 --> 02:18:21,519 everybody if they have any questions for 2059 02:18:17,920 --> 02:18:25,840 Tim before we look at our our motion 2060 02:18:21,519 --> 02:18:28,800 options for budget deliberations. 2061 02:18:25,840 --> 02:18:31,800 Councelor 2062 02:18:28,800 --> 02:18:31,800 Avery. 2063 02:18:32,319 --> 02:18:36,639 » Thank you, Mayor. Not a question. Um, 2064 02:18:34,479 --> 02:18:38,800 just a statement. Tim, thank you for all 2065 02:18:36,639 --> 02:18:41,280 your hard work. Ashley, thank you. Thank 2066 02:18:38,800 --> 02:18:44,479 the administration team. Uh, this was a 2067 02:18:41,280 --> 02:18:47,679 very clear, concise budget, exactly what 2068 02:18:44,479 --> 02:18:49,760 we asked for. Um, I'm very, very 2069 02:18:47,679 --> 02:18:51,679 impressed you had that you tore it all 2070 02:18:49,760 --> 02:18:54,960 down and built it back up again. Thank 2071 02:18:51,679 --> 02:18:57,760 you for all your hard work. 2072 02:18:54,960 --> 02:19:00,160 » Thank you. Well said, councelor Avery. 2073 02:18:57,760 --> 02:19:02,800 So, seeing no more questions, comments, 2074 02:19:00,160 --> 02:19:05,120 uh could I enter ask member of council 2075 02:19:02,800 --> 02:19:10,160 to entertain to make one of the motion 2076 02:19:05,120 --> 02:19:13,120 options that councelor Avery? 2077 02:19:10,160 --> 02:19:16,080 » Yes, mayor. I'll make a motion that we 2078 02:19:13,120 --> 02:19:18,800 accept the budget as presented with a 0% 2079 02:19:16,080 --> 02:19:21,920 uh tax increase. 2080 02:19:18,800 --> 02:19:23,920 » Thank you. There's a motion on the floor 2081 02:19:21,920 --> 02:19:25,679 by Councelor Avery. Any further 2082 02:19:23,920 --> 02:19:30,040 discussion? 2083 02:19:25,679 --> 02:19:30,040 Seeing none, I'll call for the vote. 2084 02:19:34,880 --> 02:19:40,319 And that is carried unanimously. 2085 02:19:38,856 --> 02:19:42,319 [laughter] 2086 02:19:40,319 --> 02:19:44,800 » Okay. Well, thank you again one more 2087 02:19:42,319 --> 02:19:47,599 time, Tim, for all that hard work. So, 2088 02:19:44,800 --> 02:19:50,000 that concludes the open portion of the 2089 02:19:47,599 --> 02:19:52,880 meeting. Uh we're going to return back 2090 02:19:50,000 --> 02:19:55,520 into closed. So, I will need a motion 2091 02:19:52,880 --> 02:19:57,359 that council move into close session at 2092 02:19:55,520 --> 02:20:02,319 7:20 2093 02:19:57,359 --> 02:20:04,640 p.m. in accordance with section 197-4-B 2094 02:20:02,319 --> 02:20:07,200 of the municipal government act to 2095 02:20:04,640 --> 02:20:11,200 discuss matters exempt from disclosure 2096 02:20:07,200 --> 02:20:13,120 for item 13.1 subject to section 19 2097 02:20:11,200 --> 02:20:16,000 disclosure harmful to the business 2098 02:20:13,120 --> 02:20:18,240 interests of a third party. Section 20, 2099 02:20:16,000 --> 02:20:20,720 personal privacy, and section 30, 2100 02:20:18,240 --> 02:20:22,880 disclosure harmful to the economic and 2101 02:20:20,720 --> 02:20:25,439 other interests of the public body. Who 2102 02:20:22,880 --> 02:20:27,920 cares to make that motion? Councelor 2103 02:20:25,439 --> 02:20:31,800 Reese makes that motion. 2104 02:20:27,920 --> 02:20:31,800 I'll call for the vote. 2105 02:20:35,760 --> 02:20:42,040 And that is carried. We'll take a 2106 02:20:38,479 --> 02:20:42,040 twominut break.