Whitecourt Town Council approves 2017 budget

 

Reed Clements

 

The Whitecourt Town Council has announced its 2017 Interim Operating and Capital Budget, which covers $55.4 million in expenditures.

 

The budget shows an emphasis on improving public spaces in the town, such as streets and recreational facilities. This includes an overlay program and sidewalk repairs, as well as repairs to Centennial Park trails. There are also plans for a project to put up signs in local trails.

 

The budget also has plans to fill seams on the Rotary Running Track at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre, and to provide new flooring for the McLeod Hallway at the Scott Safety Centre, as well as a new washroom building at Rotary Park and a small sun shelter at the Dog Park. There will also be improvements to the Blueberry neighbourhood playground.

 

There are also plans to continue development for the municipal centre and the public library.

 

The budget seeks to encourage the cultural and community aspects of life in Whitecourt, by continuing public events such as Canada Day and Party in the Park, as well as new events such as the Family Fun Run. There are also ongoing discussions about developing an arts and cultural centre.

 

Whitecourt Transit will see improvements too, including a change to a 30-minute schedule at peak times, thanks to new buses.

 

The budget also includes a number of environmental initiatives, such as the completion of the River Erosion Control Project and continuation of the Water System Upgrade Project.

 

There are also provisions for the 2017 General Municipal Election.

 

Mayor Maryann Chichak has stated that the budget reflects continued “volatility in the global economy,” but stressed that the Town’s priorities are “engagement and transparency,” citing the open house and online survey as ways that the town sought community input on the budget this year.