Budget 2020

The municipal budget is the most important policy document approved by Council. It is developed and approved annually to finance the delivery of programs and services to the community according to Council-specified service levels. Preparation of the corporate budget is one of the most critical initiatives undertaken by Administration as it acts as the fiscal plan that provides the resources required to make progress towards achieving the community vision and Council priorities. 

2020 Municipal Budget Approved Dec. 9, 2019

Following extensive public consultation, Wetaskiwin City Council approved the 2020 municipal budget at their regular December 9, 2019 Council meeting. 

What We Heard

Do you believe your voice helps shape your community? We do, which is why we're reporting back on the impact your voices had on the approved 2020 municipal budget. Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2020 proposed budget discussions--whether they were online or at one of the budget open houses! Your feedback is valued and appreciated.

Budget Item
(Proposed Expense)		Community FeedbackOutcome
(Approved Expense)
Additional RCMP members
($176,890)		- look into City police department (not RCMP)
- research alternatives to adding police every year
- would rather have more police than more CPOs
- look into cost-sharing with surrounding areas		Council did not approve additional RCMP member funding in favor of conducting the Community Policing Plan first
($0 spent)
Additional Peace Officer
($113,400)		- CPOs more visible in community than police
- investments in CPOs considered 'local spending'		Council did not approve the additional CPO position in favor of conducting the Community Policing Plan first
($0 spent)
Community Policing Plan
($50,000)		- Comprehensive, holistic approach needed for policing; connection between crime and poverty
- Enthusiastically supported by the community		Council approved the Community Policing Plan as part of the 2020 budget
($50,000 spent)
Inflow & Infiltration Summer Staff
($50,000)		- No community comments were forthcoming on this itemCouncil did not approve this budget item
($0 spent)
Utilities Master Plan - Phase 2
($200,000 funded from reserves)		- No community comments were forthcoming on this itemCouncil approved Phase 2 of the Utilities Master Plan as part of the 2020 budget
($200,000 - funded from reserves)
Transfer the $10/month environmental fee to wastewater
(no change)		- Community happy to hear City is taking steps to minimize impact of required wastewater treatment plant projectCouncil approved the transfer as part of the 2020 budget
($468,000 per year being collected)
Inflation to overall utility rates to keep with Municipal Price Index
(2.96% increase)		- Community already concerned about local utility rates; wants to know inflation will move us toward becoming self-sustaining for utilitiesCouncil approved the 2.96% inflation increase as part of the 2020 budget.
($298,100 per year being collected)
Multi-Family Trash Participation
(Revenue of $12,100)		- No community comments were forthcoming on this item
Council approved this item as part of the 2020 budget ($12,100 increase to revenue)
Recycle Yard Change of Hours
(Savings of $30,000)		- Most community members were in favour of the change of hours; want to see service continueCouncil approved the change of hours at the Recycle Centre as part of the 2020 budget.
($30,000 per year in operational savings)
Public Works Shop & Annex Buildings Replacement
($6,500,000)		- Most community members felt renovating existing shop would be best option; did not want to add to City's debt loadCouncil approved a renovation and small addition option as part of the 2020 budget
($3 million spent - NO borrowing)
CCTV Contractor - Asset tracking
($500,000)		- Most community members supported this initiative as it protects our infrastructure, but wanted City to explore cost-sharing optionsCouncil approved the CCTV contractor as part of the 2020 budget
($500,000 spent)
Wastewater Treatment Plant Design ($1,000,000)- Community members want the City to continue to lobby for project cost-sharing with other municipalities and higher orders of governmentCouncil approved the Wastewater Treatment Plant design with the understanding that they will continue to lobby for cost-sharing
($1 million spent)
Manluk Centre Rate Changes
(Revenue of $35,000)		- Many community members were okay with a slight--but not significant--rate increaseCouncil approved the new rates, which include small increases for every patron group except seniors (whose rates remain unchanged).
($35,000 revenue)
Records Management & Human Resource Coordinator ($57,300)- There was community support for this position; some suggested it be a term position to startCouncil only approved a part time Human Resources Coordinator position
($30,000 spent)
Financial Analyst / Grant Coordinator ($76,000)- There was community support for this position; some suggested it be a term position to startCouncil approved this position as part of the 2020 budget ($76,000 spent)
Recreation Programming Assistant (re-purpose staff)- There was community support for this positionCouncil did not approve this budget item
($0 spent)
Community Resource Coordinator ($11,250)- Half of respondents supported this position, half did not support itCouncil approved this position as part of the 2020 budget ($11,250 spent)
Enterprise Software System Strategy ($25,000)- Half of respondents supported this item, half did not support it
Council approved this item as part of the 2020 budget ($25,000 spent)
Budget Software License Seats
($10,000)		- There was community support for this itemCouncil approved this item as part of the 2020 budget ($10,000 spent)
Citizen Satisfaction Survey
($25,000)		- This item was not supported by the communityCouncil did not approve this budget item
($0 spent)
COLA Increase of 1%
($129,600)		- Most community members did not support this itemCouncil did not approve this budget item
($0 spent)
Compensation Survey Implementation ($276,800)- Many community members did not support this item; a few saw value in paying comparably to other municipalities and retaining good staffCouncil approved this budget item to ensure that all City staff are paid within their comparable market bands ($276,800 spent)
NEW - Council Pay Cut- Some community members expressed a desire to see Council reduce their pay, given the current economic downturnCouncil approved a 5 percent pay cut to City Council's salary as part of the 2020 budget