Comments from residents and landowners didn’t provoke any changes to the town budget passed unanimously by councillors Monday night.
The only tweaking to the document, which was circulated last month for taxpayer comment, was to reduce expenses for electricity, natural gas, telephone and internet and use those savings to increase spending for Local Authorities Pension Plan, due to increased costs to the town.
Increased savings due to changes in the multiplex and arena operations were not factored into the budget.
In his report to council, Darren Moore, the town’s director of finance, indicated the budget calls for a 2.69 per cent tax rate increase for residential properties and no increase for non-residential properties.
“When assessments are completed and the provincial school requisitions are received after the provincial government passes its 2014 budget, the tax rate bylaw will come to council for approval in April.”
At that time council has the option of lowering the proposed tax rates or allocating surplus funds from the multiplex change to a reserve or another initiative.
Combined tax and assessment notices will be sent out at the end of May with property taxes due on July 31.
Councillor Matt Prete asked about the $100,000 allocation for beach sand. During the meeting councillors learned discussions are underway with Alberta Environment and the provincial parks department on two plans. One is to dredge sand towards the breakwall and the other to replace some of the turf above the wall with sand.
If they can’t come up with a solution, can the money be used for any other beach enhancement? he questioned.
“Council, by motion, can redirect that money,” Betty Osmond, the town’s chief administrative officer answered.
A $650,000 expenditure for a parking enhancement project was also discussed. Councillor Dale Plante asked for confirmation the money is in reserve and would be used only when a project is developed.
Moore indicated some of that money was collected from the marina developer for off-site levies and as a plan becomes more refined council can make adjustments.
Among comments in councillors’ agenda packages was a letter from Bob and Susan Samson opposing both the $650,000 for truck and trailer parking for Sylvan Lake Marina and $100,00 to bring sand back to the seawall.
The writers indicated the money for parking would be “better kept in reserves and used when the opportunity to develop the boat launch, parking and day use area at Range Road 21 happens”. They noted the number of launches at the marina has decreased significantly because people “are looking for free or ‘almost free’ launching which is not going to happen at this (marina) site”.
Referring to beach sand, they wrote “the Town of Sylvan Lake does not own the lake and needs to leave nature alone. Lake levels will fluctuate and we will adapt by enhancing the sand areas as was done in 2013, armouring the shoreline and/or planning for a spray park for our children. It is environmentally irresponsible to tamper, alter shorelines or try to control this precious resource.”
Comments from other taxpayers involved whether there is a need for traffic lights at Herder Drive and 47th Avenue, expanded two-way communication, the possibility of lights at 46th Street and 47th Avenue, and how many people in the cottage area really want curbs, gutters and sidewalks that would come with street modernization.