The City of Rossland is inviting residents to weigh in on its latest draft of the 2023-27 Five Year Financial Plan.
Chief Financial Officer Mike Kennedy released a revised draft of the plan at the April 3 Council meeting at Miner’s Hall.
Following much discussion, council passed the first two readings unanimously. However, the five year plan is subject to more public input and consideration before its third reading April 17, and prior to its planned adoption May 1.
The $21-million budget is proposing a 5 per cent increase on property taxes to offset known and anticipated inflation costs. The average single-family home is assessed at $579,000 and the owner will pay an extra $123 annually or just over $10 per month, plus another $40 annual increase in utilities on average.
Mayor Andy Morel noted that the tax hike is somewhat modest compared to other municipalities that are reporting higher tax increases.
“Staff are to be applauded for keeping the rates down, and we recognize that some communities held the line at 0 per cent increase through COVID, and we recognize that at the time if we did that we would be looking at double digits today,” said Morel.
“So we went on a slightly different strategy than some other communities and I think it’s paying off in that we are gradually having an increase because that’s the cost of doing business today, but I think it’s pretty manageable.”
Residential property taxes cover over 36 per cent or $5.75M of the city’s revenue source, and is expected to top $6M in 2024 and over $7M in 2027.
The financial plan proposes that $12.7M will be spent on day-to-day operations such as recreation, events, snow removal, water and sewer services, increased costs from suppliers and 3.5 per cent bump in city labour costs under a new collective agreement.
The city anticipates spending about $6M on capital projects including the completion of Rossland Yards, Rossglen Gazebo, the public washroom at Harry LeFevre Square, the Aqueduct Trail upgrades, a new Vactor truck and boom truck, and other upgrades and additions.
Council questioned staff on several items including irrigation upgrades to Centennial Field estimated at $75,000.
“We haven’t had a discussion about it perhaps before we jump into doing it, perhaps we could have a bit of a brainstorm around the future fields and apply the matrix, and make sure we are not throwing good money after bad,” said Coun. Stewart Spooner.
Rossland operations manager Scott Lamont explained the process, and Chief Administrative Officer Bryan Teasdale reminded council that the document is still in draft form and can be amended once other plans like the Recreation Master Plan are complete.
The city originally had $756,000 in reserve funds to meet future operational and capital needs, but staff reported an additional $3.6M in unanticipated grant funding, including a $2.15M windfall from the Growing Communities Fund, coming available recently.
Coun. Lisa Kwiatkowski congratulated city staff on their successful efforts to secure millions in grant funding from several government and private entities for the benefit of the community.
Residents are invited to provide input by attending the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, April 17 at the Miner’s Hall at 5 p.m. or send a written submission by email to cfo@rossland.ca. Call 250-362-7396.
View the draft of the 2023-27 Five Year Financial Plan online at rossland.ca.