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City of Camrose
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Mayor Stasko highlighted expenses for operation of the City beginning with the overall operating cost of $45 million.
“As you can see over half of that is staff wages and we transfer approximately 14 per cent into reserves to ensure long-term financial stability.”
Using the value of an average home in the City of Camrose of $275,000, Stasko said that 22 per cent of taxes go towards the school and Lodge requisitions legislated by the province and 15 per cent goes towards the cost of Camrose Police Services.“The average home owner will pay approximately $3,147 in taxes in 2023,” he noted. total salary and benefits for 2023 and 2024 that will be required to ensure that the City will remain competitive with our comparators.
“Adding to our increase in cost is a grant reduction from the Province. This has forced us to raise our franchise fees in an attempt to make up the $ 1.8 million difference.
“Based upon recent estimates, even with the increases that we have budgeted, we have not been able to fully replace the drop in provincial funding. Hopefully the Province increases this amount in order to assist the City.”
In the draft 2023-24 budget council is proposing a five per cent increase to property taxes in both 2023
and 2024 an increase to the electrical franchise fee each year, no change to the natural gas franchise fee and a five per cent average increase to the user fees and charges across the city.
“After several years of low to no increases a five per cent increase in the water and waste water rates in 2023 and 2024 and no changes to the waste collection, organics collection and recycling fee but a $1 per month organics processing fee will be added to the monthly rates but this will be offset by a $1.80 reduction of cart fees for waste collection.”
Stasko referred to a chart outlining the impact on an average homeowner.
“The average homeowner (based on a value of $275,000) will see an overall increase in property taxes of $17 per month in 2023 and $18 per month in 2024.”
After deliberating on all business cases presented to the finance committee review of council, council chose projects that were in alignment with the Strategic Plan as follows:
Investing in People and People and Processes by: • investing in permits, licenses, and land software system and asset management program, • increasing cybersecurity with remote monitoring for cyberattacks, • providing weekend oncall pay year-round for firefighters
Increased commitment in Economic Development as the City continues to
Build a Strong Economy by: • reinstituting small business grants, • increasing investment attraction activities, • increasing marketing and tourism work with additional resources.
The City will Increase Engagement with Citizens and Staff by: • Committing additional scheduling resources to improve customer experience for the City’s many facilities.
The City will Optimize Asset Management by: • adding resources to summer roads crew, • adding resources to Parks to care for trees, • and investing programming space and washroom upgrades at the
Camrose Library.
“We continue to follow our 10 year capital plan and fund projects across all departments,” said Stasko. “We have allotted over $30 million in 2023 and over $20 million in 2024.
“For reference, our taxes provide the City with about $28 million in revenue. In 2023 and 2024 we are basically spending more than our property taxes (revenue) on capital projects.”
In conclusion, Mayor Stasko said, “Council is very aware of the importance of ensuring that we have adequate funding for our future capital requirements. We have proposed a budget that does not steal from the future and maintains capital funding allowance. This ensures that all generations of Camrosians are contributing a fair amount to the assets they are using.
“As we improve in this area we try to look beyond the next 10 years and try to ensure that we are ready for any significant investments that may be beyond our 10 year plan. By doing this we can make sure we are making smart decisions today for both our current residents and future residents.”
The 2023-24 will be presented to council for consideration for approval at the December 19 regular council meeting.
Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster
City of Camrose Mayor PJ Stasko spoke on the 2023-24 Draft City Budget during a budget open house held on December 8.
“Key to our budget process was the awareness that inflation rates really impacts our forecast for 2023-24. The annual inflation rate for Alberta has ranged between five and eight per cent during 2022. This level of inflation has a significant impact on all costs throughout the city and is a major contributor to the cost increases that the City is facing.”
Stasko further explained that electricity rates have increased significantly in 2022 as well and the cost to acquire, repair, operate and maintain the fleet of equipment that the City uses have increased in excess of the general inflationary rates as well.
In reference to a prior comment about salary costs, Stasko said that the City estimates increases to
HEAD LIFEGUARD
WE ARE NOW RECRUITING A HEAD LIFEGUARD FOR OUR RENOVATED AQUATIC FACILITY!
Are you passionate about aquatics recreation? Are you a certified Lifeguard and Instructor? Put your lifesaving and lifeguarding skills to work with the City of Camrose Aquatic Centre. We are looking for an energetic and dedicated individual to fill the permanent full-time position of Head Lifeguard.
FUNCTIONS/DUTIES (but not limited to):
• Perform duties as a Lifeguard. • Provide leadership, training and supervision to team members. • Provide instruction and supervision for aquatic activities. • Assist in the maintenance of the aquatic facility. • Administrative tasks.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Standard First Aid. • Lifesaving Instructor or equivalent • National Lifeguard certification. • Pool Operator I. • Minimum two (2) years’ aquatic experience. • Dedicated and reliable with a strong commitment to teamwork. • Strong public relations and communication skills. • Lifesaving Instructor considered an asset. • Standard First Aid Instructor considered an asset. • Lifesaving Swim Instructor Trainer considered an asset. • Pool Operator II considered an asset. • Aqua Fitness Instructor considered an asset. • Lifesaving Sport Coach considered an asset. HOURS OF WORK: The hours of work for this permanent position are 37.5 hours per week; specific work schedule may vary and can include morning, day-time, evening, and/or weekend shifts. Successful candidates will be required to teach various swimming lessons that fall on evenings and some weekends. SALARY AND BENEFITS: The City of Camrose offers competitive salary, attractive benefits, and a positive work environment. The starting salary for this position will be dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. APPLICATIONS: Individuals interested in this position are invited to submit a cover letter and resumé to the address below by December 30, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. We appreciate and consider all applications; however only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
CONTACT:
City of Camrose | Attention: Manager of Aquatics Mailing Address: 5204-50 Avenue, Camrose, AB T4V 0S8 Ph: 780-672-9909 | E: aquatic@camrose.ca W: www.camrose.ca
