The Town of Stettler council approved the municipality’s $6.9 million 2023 capital budget during its Jan. 17 meeting.
Of the funds approved for expenditure, the largest items on the list include just short of $2 million worth of funding for the Stettler Airport, most of which is earmarked for runway repaving, and another just short of $2 million budgeted for the town’s water, sewer, and storm systems.
Chief Administrative Officer Greg Switenky did note that the airport expenditure is based on receiving a federal grant which will pay 75 per cent of the costs, and if the grant is not received the entire amount “will drop off” the 2023 capital plan.
Expenses in water and sewer have $800,000 ear-marked for water reservoir upgrades, $525,000 to replace cast-iron water mains on 50 Ave. between 45 and 46 St. and 43 and 44 St, and $600,000 for lift-station upgrades.
Other categories seeing large budgets in 2023 include equipment, at just over $750,000, and transportation, at $555,000.
Equipment purchases in 2023 included a new loader, a new backhoe — partially funded through an insurance payout after the theft of the town’s old one, two half-ton trucks, a skid-steer, and a truck mounted sander.
In transportation, expenses include pavement patching, a new overlay on 50 St. between 48 and 49 Ave where previous water main work was done, and $20,000 for updating Town of Stettler Christmas decorations.
The Stettler Regional Fire Department is also getting some funds in the 2023 capital budget, with another $100,000 being allocated to the upcoming replacement of a 2001 engine, and $94,000 being put towards replacing the chief and deputy chief duty trucks. The County of Stettler is contributing $47,000 to each of the duty truck replacements.
“Staff don’t take capital money lightly,” said Switenky, noting that the items making the list for 2023 are priority items.
However, Switenky also noted that just because the items are on the list they may still get pushed to subsequent years depending on contractor or material availability. A number of items from the 2022 capital budget, not on the 2023 list, still remain to be done as well with their funds being carried over from 2022.
“It’s straight forward, easy to read, and easy to digest,” said Mayor Sean Nolls.
“Everything is out in the open.”
The full capital budget, which can be found on the Town of Stettler’s website, www.stettler.net, was approved in a motion by Coun. Cheryl Barros.