Blackfalds residents could see a 1.1 per cent tax rate increase in the town’s 2018 operating budget, which will be approved on Dec. 12.

Mayor Richard Poole said when council directed administration to draft the $26.6 million budget, they wanted to see it aligned with the Consumer Price Index, a measure economists use to gauge changes to costs of living, by assessing price changes in a weighted basket of consumer goods and services.

The increase would work out to an extra nine dollars per $100,000 of assessed value on a home.

On the utilities side, connecting to a new regional wastewater line would mean a seven dollar increase per month for sewer bills. Poole said that increase has been cushioned through utility reserves.

No debenture-supported projects in capital budget

The town’s $6.9 million capital budget does not include any new debt.

Of that total, $2.5 million would be spent on recreation projects. Some of them include:

  • Architectural design and construction plans for the twinning of the Multi-Plex Arena ($750,000). Poole said this will kickstart public discussion on what the community wants in the project.
  • A new outdoor rink at Pine Crescent ($450,000)
  • New playground at Valley Ridge ($125,000)
  • Phase 2 of solar integration at the Civic and Culture Centre ($160,000)
  • Moving old skateboard park to the east side of town ($40,000)

Also in the capital budget, $1.5 million for the northwest area stormwater project and $1.8 million for Broadway Avenue.

The town is hosting an open house on Nov. 29 right before Light Up Blackfalds, from 5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. at the Civic Cultural Centre (5018 Waghorn St).