A lot of spending is on the docket for big projects next year, as Clearwater County’s budget deliberations wrapped up on Dec. 12– however, councillors are crediting administration with presenting a responsible budget.
In the draft, tens of millions of dollars could continue to be allocated to large-scale items, such as the Rocky Mountain House wastewater treatment plant and the broadband connectivity project.
Over $91 million dollars has been allocated for capital projects in the draft budget; with over $40 million of that allocated to the broadband connectivity project- an initiative that aims to connect more rural residents to high speed internet.
However, that large number is expected to decrease to $41 million by 2027, says Rhonda Serhan, Manager, Financial Services, Clearwater County, as some of those projects begin to wrap up.
Public works operations expenditures were budged at over $19.7 million- which includes one more contribution to Rocky’s new wastewater treatment plant.
But after that’s done, Kurt Magnus, director of Public Works Operations says expenditures could actually go down by three per cent by 2026.
The final payment from the county to the wastewater treatment plant is due in early summer 2025.
For road infrastructure, as with previous years, around $5 million has been allocated to improve gravel roads.
Additionally, nearly $5.5 million has been allocated to repave 21.5 km of of Wall Street Rd. on the east end of the county, says Erik Hansen, Director of Public Works. However, conversations are continuing with neighboring Red Deer County, as Hansen says it has opted to move improvement of their portion of the road to 2026.
For Agricultural and Community Services, Director Matt Martinson said additional amenities will be considered for the Leslieville Recreation Area. One item that was suggested were restroom facilities. Additionally, he says the department wants to build on the success of this year’s Leslieville Block Party.
The budget will be presented to council for final approval on Dec. 20.
Since the amalgamation of the Village of Caroline into Clearwater County will take effect Jan. 1, 2025, a meeting is scheduled Jan. 7, 2025 to include the newly-formed municipality to formally include it in budgeting considerations.
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