SANDRA M STANWAY
Brooks Bulletin
Saving for multi-generational projects and funding the RCMP are the major reasons why rates will increase for city taxpayers and utility users this year.
The city will levy $16,246,933 in property taxes of which $15,046,933 is related to taxes to support the budget. The city will also collect $1.2 million for paving.
Policing costs will account for most of the tax increase at 3.25 per cent on the 5.75 per cent interim budget. The city’s policing cost has climbed by about $2 million to $5.096 million compared to last year to cover the pay for detachment members and required equipment including bodycams that are expected to arrive this year.
Mayor John Petrie said while he has no complaints about the RCMP the municipality has no control over their expenses but they do have control over the number of members assigned to the detachment. That number has been a point of discussion over the years and could result in fewer RCMP members and more city peace officers.
Through the 2024 budget the city began transferring money to reserves for policing in anticipation of a population increase that is expected to exceed 15,000 by 2027. At that point, the city will be responsible for 90 per cent of the costs.
The province, though, did announce in November that it will cover $27 million in rising police costs in 2025 “so that municipalities’ costs remain stable,” states a November government release. Meetings are expected to be held on the issue between the province and municipalities.
In addition to policing, the city has increased its utility rates to put money away for its future wastewater system which is currently estimated to be $30 million.
The city budget includes $5,328,362 in capital projects, some of which are grant-dependent.
Projects that will be completed this year include locker upgrades at JBS Canada Centre, Duke of Sutherland waterpark and resurfacing the Griffin Park tennis courts. The city will also begin to increase and improve the irrigation at the Commemorative Forest.
“There’s some good things in the budget. The city will look at the lockers at the JBS Canada Centre, the tennis courts will be redone, and a spray park is coming to Brooks,” he said.
Mini spray parks valued at $100,000 were last discussed as part of the 2024 budget and are grant-dependent. The parks were not part of any public portion of the budget meeting.
The city will continue to replace fitness equipment, traffic light controllers, playground equipment, fire SCBA as well sewer mains and the southeast main loop.
The Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF), which used to be the MSI funds, will be used to help fund trails, street improvement projects and the underground servicing at new junior high school.
The city has also budgeted $254,614 for the surface improvement at the 7th Street East rail crossing.
“With any budget they’re always difficult because you’re cognizant of the taxpayer but you also have to be cognizant of the needs,” said John Petrie.
There was no mention of the $20 million broadband project of which the city paid $5.4 million with its gas tax money and which should have been making money by now. The project was to have been completed in 2023 but was finished in 2024. As of a last update in May 2024, Galaxy was boasting that 1,500 customers had signed up for internet. In December, Petrie said it is something that he expects will be discussed by council this month.
