Bashaw's town council has approved its 2025 operating budget. The budget was approved during the May 7 council meeting.
Overall, the budget is a 3.89 per cent increase over 2024 levels. Areas of increase noted by the Chief Administrative Officer, Theresa Fuller, during the council meeting include the council allocation due to this October's municipal elections, an increase to community contributions, and a one-year increase to the town's operating software budget as it changes from one to another.
Other budget increases include $1,000 being added to the council budget for mileage, though in her experience, council has never made use of those funds.
"I've never had council members claim for mileage," said Fuller.
When it comes to the town's municipal software, it is switching from Diamond, which the municipality has used for around 25 years, to R & R, which will provide the town more flexibility at a lower price point.
According to Fuller, once the new software is fully implemented, town residents will be able to log into the town website and create accounts to check and pay their utility bills, something not able to be done with their existing software.
The town's total expenses for 2025 are expected to come in around just over $2.4 million, with just over $1.5 million coming in through other revenues such as grants, government transfers and service fees. The remaining approximate $900,000 will be raised through municipal property taxes.
LGFF
The Town of Bashaw is slated to get over $118,000 in Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) from the province in 2025.
Anticipated projects for the LGFF grant funds in 2025 include money for the cemetery, operating support for community facilities, board replacement at the arena, and some funds for the previously noted financial software conversion.
Under the LGFF, municipalities must spend the funds in the year in which it is granted.
Tax Recovery
Council has set the 2025 tax auction date for a pair of properties with unpaid taxes.
The auction is set for a Monday morning in the third week of September, which in 2025 is Sept. 15.
Property owners with unpaid taxes have up until the sale date to clear up the arrears.
Costs for the tax recovery sale are applied to the tax rolls.
