SANDRA M STANWAY
Brooks Bulletin
City council has yet to determine next year’s tax rate, however, a jump is expected due to the number of projects in the works.
During Monday’s council meeting finance director Bill McKennan noted that last year’s three year budget forecast estimated a 5.38 per cent increase in 2025.
“These estimates are being updated to reflect new information and the impacts of various capital initiatives being undertaken and funded primarily by new debentures being issued,” he noted.
The city tax rates continue to be impacted by the RCMP. Residents have been paying more over the past couple of years in preparation of the population reaching 15,000 by 2027. Once it reaches that number the city will receive a lower subsidy from the province according to the federal-provincial policing agreement.
Some of the big ticket items that may affect 2025 rates include the $1.5 million skateboard park, which was budgeted last year but there will likely be a discussion to expand the park to include a sport court and parking, the new wastewater treatment plant will impact utility bills starting in January although no tender will be issued until much later in either 2025 or 2026 and the new public works building will also be tendered.
On Wednesday the city’s Municipal Planning Commission was expected to approve the new $13.800 million facility to be constructed on the existing site at 2nd Ave and 7th Street West.
Additional costs regarding the old rodeo grounds are currently unknown. Despite the fact the city owns the property other costs are expected to impact the future construction of a school.
