By Emily Jaycox For the Independent
Stettler town council approved a $4,074,150 capital budget for 2019 during its regular meeting Tuesday, March 5.
A total of $178,150 has been allotted for the fire department to replace an engine and the current two-way radio system with an additional $18,000 for a decontamination containment system air shelter.
Replacing the Stettler Community Hall’s HVAC system is a project set for this year with a budget of $271,000.
An engineering design for the Stettler Community Hall is currently in progress.
Some big ticket items under transportation include improvements to 51st Ave. and the 49th Ave. overlay.
The 51st Ave. curb, gutter, and pavement will be replaced to the tune of $450,000 in this second phase of the two-part project.
The water and sewer were replaced in 2018.
The budget for milling the existing asphalt and repaving 49th St. from 46 St. to the rail tracks east of 43rd St. and moving the gas mains prior to construction is set at $300,000.
The budget also includes $150,000 for pavement patching.
Some big projects are planned for water and sewer as well, with a total budget of $1,321,500.
Replacing the water main on 52nd St. between 48th and 49th Ave. has been allotted $280,000.
The price tag for the water main replacement west of 57A St. between 46 and 47 Ave. is set at $220,000.
Desludging Lagoon Cell C will cost $300,000.
A budget of $280,000 has been given for pathway, sidewalks and snow removal.
The 2019 capital budget is funded $2,317,487 from grants, $1,230,142 from available capital (i.e., utilities, taxes), and $177,513 transferred from the operating budget.
All the proposed projects, however, could be put on the backburner if funding is shaken up due to the upcoming provincial and federal elections.
The budget report in the council agenda stated, “The reality of the challenge facing the town is that there are too many future projects for the amount of expected and uncertain grant monies available … At this time the premier and the prime minister has committed funds as promised to municipalities.”
“The Town is always concerned about the level of grant funding received and we currently do not know the amount of funding we will receive for the year,” said Lara Angus, corporate communications coordinator for the town.
“When we find out the level of funding we’re set to receive this year, we may have to prioritize the projects included in the budget.”
The 2019 operational budget, which determines property tax rates, is set to go before council on May 21.