The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has ranked Okotoks as the second most fiscally responsible Alberta municipality.
The CFIB Alberta Municipal Spending Watch Report 2018 analyzed the operating spending of 182 Alberta municipalities between 2006 and 2016, finding Okotoks’ real operating spending per capita was $1,400, a 15 percent decrease over the last 10 years.
The CFIB’s analysis of this report concluded that for the other 179 municipalities, taxpayers were bearing the brunt of unsustainable municipal costs.
“In fact, cities are spending way faster than their tax base is growing. Between 2006 and 2016, municipal real operating spending in Alberta grew nearly three times faster than population growth,” said the CFIB in a
prepared statement.
Okotoks was one of three where spending decreased, while most municipalities had increased their operating expenses above sustainable levels.
“It’s refreshing to talk about a municipality that has done all the right things,” said Richard Truscott, vice-president, Alberta and B.C. of CFIB. “It really speaks volumes about the success of the municipality.
“More broadly we are on a worrying path in Alberta and taxpayers should be very concerned as the spending of the majority of municipalities is simply not sustainable.
“Hopefully other municipalities could learn from what Okotoks has done.”
Referring to the rapid growth of the Okotoks population over the last 10 years, Truscott said Okotoks has been one of the fastest growing municipalities but has managed to reduce spending and increase services in a way other municipalities have not.
“This is a critical issue as we go forward. Municipalities have to be creative and innovative and could really benefit from learning from each other,” said Truscott.
For Mayor Bill Robertson, the report reinforces council’s prudent policies.
“This report demonstrates the financially responsible direction council has set to ensure that our community is well-positioned for the future,” Robertson said. “This is particularly impressive as this represents a period when our community was experiencing significant population growth and there was increased pressure to provide municipal services.”
While the population growth has since slowed in recent years from the 17.8 per cent increase seen between 2011 and 2016, the implications of the report on the fiscal responsibility of the municipality are promising going forward into the Town’s approved 2019 budget and development plans.
“The approved 2019 budget continues to reflect council’s commitment to being fiscally responsible while maintaining the high quality of life our residents enjoy,” said Robertson.
The 2019 budget, approved by the council at its Dec. 10 meeting, aims to focus on inclusivity and diversity in the town. Council voted for a two per cent tax increase, with a $45 per year affect on the average residential homeowner.
The budget aims to approach several projects, including local transit, affordable housing and upgrading the wastewater treatment plant.
Including $58.9 million for operations and $26.8 million for capital expenditures, the budget will raise an additional $2.2 million in revenue to support services and sustainability while preparing Okotoks for future growth.
