Council Overview
Information from Drumheller Town Council Regular Council Meeting
Monday, November 21, 2022
Drumheller Mayor Heather Colberg opened the meeting and made some opening remarks.
The Festival of Trees will take place Friday, November 25 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Badlands Community Facility (BCF). Residents are invited to register for the event and bring artificial Christmas trees to the BCF to decorate.
The Festival of Lights will also take place on Saturday, November 26 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a variety of events planned throughout the evening.
Councillor Tony Lacher reminded listeners of The Salvation Army Red Bag Food Drive on Thursday, November 24 at 6 p.m.
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Director of Corporate and Community Services Mauricio Reyes presented council with a request for decision on the 2023 Capital Budget and 10 year Capital Plan.
Council were presented with the draft budget at the November 7 council meeting and Mr. Reyes noted the proposed budget comprises 39 projects totalling $8,351,500. This includes $3.47 million in infrastructure replacements such as the North Drumheller lift station and forcemain connection, and the Street and Sidewalk Rehabilitation programs; $1.73 million in infrastructure upgrades and renovations including $350,000 for the additional dressing room at the Drumheller Memorial Arena; and $1.2 million in capital equipment replacements.
The budget will be supported through some $1.4 million in one-time and ongoing grant funding, $4.57 million in tax supported municipal reserves, and $2.36 million in utility supported municipal reserves. Mr Reyes explained the total reserves balance at the end of 2021 was approximately $30.3 million; however, this amount also includes funds which were previously approved for capital projects which have not yet been spent. He noted, for this reason, the actual balance of the municipal reserves was actually lower than the $30.3 million shown.
These municipal reserves are expected to decrease nearly $10 million by 2025 as the Town increases its investment in capital assets.
Council unanimously gave first reading of the 2023 Capital Budget.
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Council adjourned the meeting.
Complete minutes from council meetings can be found on
www.drumheller.ca once they have been adopted.