Clearwater County’s interim council has approved the operational and capital budgets for the newly amalgamated municipality centered around the former village of Caroline.
Administration emphasized that the numbers are merely a starting point, with adjustments likely to occur throughout the year as the municipality navigates the complexities of merging operations.
The operational budget for the former village of Caroline was set at $1,275,003, with expenses matching that amount. The capital budget, amounting to $664,448, will be funded entirely through grants from the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) and the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF).
Clearwater County’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Rick Emmons, described the approval as a “true amalgamation.” He explained that while the previous village council had handled its own budgeting process, the interim council now faces the task of aligning priorities across the newly expanded county.
“This year is about flexibility and change,” said Rhonda Serhan, Clearwater County’s finance manager, who spoke during the first meeting of the interim council. “This year will be a time of hard work and flexibility as administration works to adjust processes to bring the plan that council has put before them into fruition.”
Serhan pointed out that the initial budget reflects the previous village’s established tax revenue and grant funding, assuming no immediate changes. However, she stressed that tax rates and revenue will need to be revisited as the amalgamation progresses.
She also noted, the capital budget would be spent gradually, with engineering and planning costs likely to precede any significant construction.
“No dollars will be spent on construction until these projects are presented to council,” Serhan assured, explaining that Clearwater County’s finance team would review the specifics of each capital project as more information becomes available.
In response to questions from council members, Serhan clarified that the amount of grant revenue the newly formed municipality receives may fluctuate in the future. “The first year is expected to be similar, but as processes evolve, so will the criteria for grant allocation,” she said.
The approved budgets represent only the beginning of the complex work ahead. As the amalgamation takes shape, council will continue to adapt and make decisions about the municipality’s services and tax structure. “The processes will evolve, and as we move forward, there will be ongoing discussions about how to best allocate resources and manage priorities,” Serhan concluded.
She says the budget is a “starting point”, adding that it will allow salaries to be paid and operations to continue uninterrupted, at least in the short term.
Council and administration’s words to describe the year ahead include “pivot”, “change” and “flexibility”.
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