La Ronge draft budget includes no tax or utility rate increases

Other draft budget highlights include increased Municipal Revenue Sharing revenue of $50,000, increased airport revenue due to fee increases of $200,000, and an increased SaskPower and SaskEnergy rebate of $90,000.

There will also be increased community services revenue due to new cost sharing amounts from Air Ronge and the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District of $60,000. Air Ronge’s contribution is to be revisited in 2025 to progress toward current per capita cost sharing.

There will also be a decrease in protective services revenue due to the expiry of the enhanced policing credit from the RCMP ($225,000), decreased planning, development, and regulatory services revenue due to change in business licensing and lower cost recovery ($35,000), and decreased interest revenue due to decreased reserves and decreasing interest rates ($65,000).

“Administration will have a budget open house some time in November,” the document explains.

“This will consist of advance release of digital information packages, as well as poster boards, slide shows, and department head availability at the open house. Council members are also encouraged to attend the open house and listen to any feedback from ratepayers. The formal and general feedback will be consolidated in a report to council for consideration at the Nov. 25 regular council meeting.”

Overall, expense levels are up two per cent or $154,000 compared to 2024. Wages, salaries, honorariums, and benefits increased by approximately three per cent, various third-party service provider and contractual increases are up between two and eight per cent, and natural gas and SaskPower costs are up five per cent.

There are also increased fire department wages primarily due to increased call volumes ($40,000), increased utilities expenses for emergent underground repairs and miscellaneous adjustments ($130,000), decreased transfer to reserves expenses ($24,000), decreased airport expenses primarily due to staff reductions ($43,000), and decreased election and council orientation related expenses ($25,000).

The main concerns related to future operating budgets are annual interest revenue is expected to decrease by approximately $250,000 by 2026 due to depletion of reserves to fund the capital plan, as well as the transfer to reserves is currently $900,000 annually, which will be significantly reduced (or eliminated) once funds are required to service loan debenture payments, for example to build a new recreation centre.

“To mitigate these issues, administration recommends the continued pursuit of Municipal Revenue Sharing increases due to airport and RCMP costs not incurred by other northern municipalities), growth of the commercial and residential tax bases, and regional service delivery efficiencies and cost sharing,” the document adds.

“Property tax and utility rates may also need to be reviewed, as the only notable changes since 2020 were a waste management fee increase in 2023, and a two and a half property tax increase implemented in 2024.”

At Tuesday’s regular meeting, council can ask any questions regarding the draft budget, put forth any suggested edits, or increase property taxes or utility rates.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

by Derek Cornet

La Ronge draft budget includes no tax or utility rate increases

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