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2015Budget Report

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Share YourWhitecourt

Life

10,574 people

4,390 private dwellings

Average assessed value of a single family home $368,300

2014 development permits valued at over $60 million

50km of trails in town for walking, biking, etc.

Offer over 300 fitness/recreation/wellness programs to residents

2015 Operating and Capital Budget totals $56.8 million

Annual average daily traffic on Highway 43 through Whitecourt: 31,140 vehicles

According to 2013 census: • Recorded 5% annual growth rate between 2011 and 2013• 53% Male; 47% Female• Average Age: 32• 74% of population between 15 and 64 years (considered “labour force”)• Whitecourt services a primary trading area of over 50,000 people

Region offers 420km of groomed snowmobile trails

The Town of Whitecourt recognizes the ongoing support of the Government of Canada and Province of Alberta through the following grant programs: Federal Gas Tax Fund; Basic Municipal Transportation Grant; Municipal Sustainability Initiative, Alberta Disaster Recovery Program, Alberta Community Partnership Program; FireSmart Community Grant Program; Fire Services and Emergency Preparedness Program; AESRD Mountain Pine Beetle Municipal Grant Funding Program; Alberta FCSS Grant Program; Alberta Community Resilience Program.

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Council & Administration

ViSiOn: To create a vibrant community with endless opportunities where all aspects of life are enjoyed.

Mayor’s Message:One of the most common questions I’m asked is “Where do my local tax dollars go?” This report is produced annually to help increase your understand-ing of community issues and projects, and your knowledge of where your tax dollars are spent.

Preparing the 2015 budget required balancing current economics and its impact to residents; decreasing Provincial grants and increasing inflation costs; increasing service and program needs and growing interest in our community. Town Council recognizes that many local residents and businesses have been impacted by the price of oil, and thankfully our economy is diversified so that we aren’t solely

dependent on one industry. Our forest industry has seen gains with the lower Canadian dollar, and long-term forecasts are positive. Interest is strong in the Duvernay Shale Play (oil and gas), and explora-tion projects are scheduled to proceed as planned. Pipeline construction projects are moving through the approval processes, and interest in our community remains high.

Whitecourt is, and will continue to be, a leader in program and service delivery. Whether I’m speaking with provincial representatives, industry leaders, or families thinking of moving here, one consistent

remark is that Whitecourt offers so many unique and varied opportunities. We have made our mark provincially as a ”small town” with city amenities, and it’s this commitment to enhancing our quality of life that will continue to attract new residents and investment in our community. The 2015 Budget will help us achieve our goal of maintaining services and growing our community in a fiscally responsible way.

This will be an exciting year for Whitecourt, and your Whitecourt Town Council looks forward to working with you and other community partners.

Maryann Chichak, Mayor

• Enhance recreational opportunities;• Enhance cultural and arts opportunities;• Encourage and aid in the progress of economic development;• Enhance services to citizens that foster their social and physical well-being;• Continue to provide ongoing good governance to enhance the quality of life for all residents.

Whitecourt Strategic goalS:

2014 Dedicated

Senior Team Award

from the Alberta Urban Municipalities

Councillor Norm Hodgson, Councillor Eris Moncur, Councillor Paul Chauvet, Mayor Maryann Chichak, Councillor Darlene Chartrand, Councillor Derek Schlosser, Councillor Bill McAree.

www.whitecourt.ca

if your house is assessed at $368,300

you can expect to pay:

$1,804.67 General Municipal Taxes $838.03 Education Requisition $75.87 Seniors Requisition $2,718.57 2015 Property Tax Total

2015 taX rateSResidential Non-Residential

Municipal Mill Rate 4.9000 8.2842Education Requisition 2.2754 3.3113Seniors Requisition 0.2060 0.2060Total Property Mill Rate 7.3814 11.8015

The 2015 Budget, which totals $56,826,565, includes many exciting projects and services that will enhance the community’s quality of life.

there are three partS to the property taX:•GeneralMunicipalMillRate– This rate is set by the Town of Whitecourt and this portion of your property taxes is used to fund municipal services and programs specifically for Whitecourt residents.•EducationRequisition – This rate is set by the Alberta School Foundation on behalf of the Alberta Government and this portion of your property taxes is directed to the Province to provide educational services.•SeniorsRequisition – This rate is set by the Seniors Foundation and this portion of your property taxes is directed to operate local seniors housing facilities.

Tax Rates are calculated using the following formula: Assessed Property Value x Total Mill Rate/1000 = Total Property Tax

The 2015 budget proposes a 3.78% increase to the municipal tax rate,

You can expect to receive your Town of Whitecourt Tax Notices in mid-May. If you have questions about your tax notice, feel free to contact the Tax Clerk at 780-778-2273. Property Taxes are due Thursday, July 2, 2015.

Where yourtaX Dollar goeS

$12,063,298tax Dollar allocation to

each Department

Roads/Cemetery/Storm Sewers

$0.16

Common Services$0.07

By-law Enforcement/Animal Control

$0.01

Fire Protection$0.06

Police Protection$0.08

Other General Services

$0.07

General Government

$0.12

Legislative$0.03

Library$0.03

Parks & Recreation

$0.26

FCSS, Seniors & Public Transit

$0.04

Planning and Development

$0.04

Economic Development

$0.03

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Taxation & Assessment

2015capitalbuDget

$18,701,915

Parks & Recreation

12.15%

WaterOperation

4.01%

Sanitary Sewer Operation

4.01% General Government

7.01%Other General

Services1.13%

Police Protection

1.42%Fire

Protection5.90%

Common Services22.43%

RoadTransportation

0.70%

Land Sales/Planning & Development

43.19%

2015operating

buDget$38,124,650

Fire Protection4.57%

Disaster11.82%

CommonServices2.48%

Roads/Cemetery/Storm Sewers

11.55%

Environmental Health Services

3.98%FCSS,

Seniors & Public Transit

3.74%

Planning & Development/

Land Sales7.89%

EconomicDevelopment/

Housing2.41%

Police & Bylaw11.42%

Other General Services 11.42%General Government

5.95%Sanitary Sewer

Operation4.57%

Water Operation5.92%

Library 1.66%

Parks & Recreation

19.44%

coMparatiVe Municipal Mill rateS

ResidentialNon-Residential

Drumheller

High River

Rocky Mountain

House

Grande Prairie

Whitecourt

Cold Lake

Hinton

Edson

Lacombe

Note: Tax Rates are 2014 for all municipalities except Whitecourt, Hinton and Rocky Mountain House which are 2015.

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

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Infrastructure The core infrastructure in any community often goes unnoticed everyday – but it is essential to our community’s continued success and growth. You utilize municipal infrastructure every time you drive to work, run your kitchen tap, flush your toilet, or drop off yard waste at the Transfer Station. To meet our growing infrastructure demands, $20.5 million has been budgeted in the 2015 budget towards maintaining our investment in the community and ensuring the services and infrastructure you depend on are reliable, safe, and efficient.

2015 highlightS:• Athabasca Flats East Development Project – construction of associated infrastructure to accommodate future growth• Completion of the new Public Works Shop• Equipment replacement: wide area mower, boom lift for outside use, replacement/addition of pick-up trucks, infrared asphalt recycler and pugmill• Street Improvement Program that includes: overlay program; pavement management program update; repairs to streets, stairs, lighting and sidewalks. Upgrades to drainage and roads in west Whitecourt Industrial Area, as well as Traffic Impact Assessments at the intersections of Park Drive/Highway 43 and 33 Street/Highway 43, will also be completed as part of this year’s program.• Continuation of Community Clean Up Program (which provides funds to non- profit groups that apply to contribute 100 hours of waste collection service)• Review of Odour Control Program at the wastewater treatment plant scheduled for fall 2015.• River Erosion Control Project - Following the high stream flows in the summer of 2012, major erosion problems were discovered along the Athabasca River between Riverboat Park and the Golf Course. A series of erosion control spurs have been designed to prevent further loss of the bank and to protect property. Construction of the first phase of the project has been funded with a $2 million grant from the Alberta Community Resilience Program.

groWing Whitecourt:

Athabasca Flats East

Development Project2015’s most significant capital project is the Athabasca Flats East Development

Project. In response to population growth, fast-tracked community capital projects

(the new Living Waters Catholic highschool project), and demand for developable

residential land, the Town of Whitecourt is expanding infrastructure services to a

quarter section parcel of land in the north-east area of Whitecourt identified as

Athabasca Flats East. Project components include construction of:

• a lift station (that will increase capacity in the area and is designed

to serve future developments);

• trunk sewer mains and sanitary forcemain;

• water lines;

• arterial roads (including earthworks, sidewalk, curbing, landscaping, etc.);

• storm ponds and storm mains.

The Athabasca Flats East area is forecasted to house between 4,000 and 6,000 people,

and will accommodate a variety of residential uses (low, medium and high density), as well

as provide for commercial and institutional development. The Town of Whitecourt is working

with community partners on the development of a Community Learning Campus, which is

proposed to include schools, post-secondary training opportunities, recreational facilities

(i.e. sportsfields) as well as an arts and culture facility.

www.whitecourt.ca

EconomicDevelopment& Planning

Whitecourt has experienced unprecedented growth over the last several years, and interest in our community continues to grow. With this growth come many exciting economic opportunities. We have set an ambitious plan aimed to support existing business while we continue to attract new investment; enhance education and job training opportunities; and assist local business/industry to attract and retain skilled labour.

2015 highlightS:• Continuation of the Tourism Enhancement, Tourism Product Development, Community Business Beautification Grant, and Vitalization Grant Programs• Vitalization Plan implementation: Dahl Drive Beautification Project (includes tree planting and beautification in the area of Dahl Drive and Highway 43), construction of a new entrance sign on Highway 32 south, downtown streetscape detailed design, Highway 43 professional landscaping plan, and continued Highway 43 “quick win” efforts• 9th Annual Party In The Park scheduled for September 5 & 6• Provide event hosting support – 2015 Mud Run, Jetboat Races, Small Business Week, Youth Career and Job Fair, etc.• Continue to support and participate in the Business Support Network, Youth Advisory Career Committee, and Whitecourt Community Learning Campus Committee (planning group for the partnership endeavour proposed in the Athabasca Flats East area)• Complete Design Standards Study; and Land Use Bylaw and Municipal Development Plan Review

2014 Alex Metcalfe

Award fromEconomicDevelopers

Alberta for Small Business Week

2015 Alex Metcalfe

Award fromEconomicDevelopers

Alberta for Whitecourt Business Support

Network

2015 EconomicDevelopers

Alberta Business Retention and

Attraction Award for Whitecourt Business

Support Network

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Protective Services

A high quality of life is created when a community is inclusive, healthy, and safe. Members of our local RCMP detachment, Whitecourt Fire Department, and bylaw enforcement will continue to provide high quality and innovative services to the citizens of Whitecourt. $7.7 million is allocated in the 2015 Budget for protective services, and we will continue to invest in programs and resources to keep our community safe.

2015 highlightS:• Purchase of a fire heavy rescue truck in partnership with Woodlands County• Additional RCMP member to bring our detachment staffing up to 17 members• Continuation of Block Party Program• Crime prevention programming, including: anti-bullying presentations, Block Parent Program, POWER Group, bike rodeos, DARE Program, etc.• Citizens on Patrol (COP) Program• Victim Services Program Support• FireSmart Program education/awareness initiatives as well as treatment of approximately 53 hectares of land east of Dahl Drive• Host a “table top” exercise as part of the organization’s Emergency Management Training• Additional Bylaw Officer

8 www.whitecourt.ca

www.whitecourt.ca

Community Support Services

The Town of Whitecourt is committed to providing the highest level of programs and services, and to maintaining our health, livability, and vibrancy. With funding assistance from the Alberta Government, Whitecourt’s Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Program delivers a variety of programming to enhance the well-being of individuals, and families.

2015 highlightS:• Continuation of Whitecourt Transit with a comprehensive service review to be conducted in the fall of 2015• Manage contract with the Boys & Girls Club to provide youth development services• Community Programming: Good Food Box Program; community presentations/workshops; Rotary Summer Unplugged Program; Aboriginal Day celebrations; Children’s Festival; World In Whitecourt, etc.• Support to Whitecourt Woodlands Performing Arts Society• Continuation of the Family & Community Support Services Grant Program• Support to POWER of Whitecourt (to promote positive youth development) and COOL Camp• Continue with preventative social programs, including: • Volunteer Programs • Services to Seniors (Seniors’ Week events, trips, newsletter, etc.) • Early Childhood Development and Parent Link • Family Community Liaison Program • Family Violence Initiative

Whitecourt Transit

ridership continues to grow

during first year of service

Whitecourt Transit officially launched in September 2014 and local response has been

positive. Over the last several months, ridership has steadily increased with new users

discovering the service. Whitecourt Transit was developed, and is now monitored, by

a committee of dedicated Whitecourt residents that are working to ensure this local

service is provided in the most cost-effective and efficient manner. Since inception,

the group has enhanced the route, bus stop locations, and timing to better fit local

needs; and will be conducting a comprehensive service review in fall 2015.

• In 2013, results of a public question posed to voters on the municipal

election ballot, showed that 61% of voters supported implementation

of transit service.

• Whitecourt Transit promotes a “green,” healthy community; complements

the existing Dial-A-Bus Service; and provides an alternative to single

occupant vehicle traffic.

• Between September 2014 and February 2015, Whitecourt Transit

served 8,888 passengers.

• February 2015 experienced the highest rate of daily users with an

average of 71.3 riders.

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Where the fun doesn’t stop

Events are important – and contribute significantly to the social health of our community.

Community events and programs give us all an opportunity to spend quality time with our loved

ones, and just embrace life. It’s this desire to stay active, socialize, and have fun that makes

local events so successful.

2015 is packed with events and programming the whole family can enjoy.

• One of our most highly anticipated events, Party In The Park is scheduled for September 5 & 6.

Stay put and enjoy the weekend at Rotary Park! World In Whitecourt will be rejoining the fun

this year, so make sure you come hungry and take in all the fantastic ethnic food!

• Arts In The Park celebrates its third year this summer, and it just keeps getting better.

Stroll through the artisan market, enjoy the art activities with your young ones, and take in

the outdoor movie. Dates, times and details can be found on www.whitecourt.ca

• For all of the athletes out there (and there are a lot of you) Fallen 4 Marathon is

scheduled for June 6 & 7. Special tributes will be made throughout the weekend

to the four fallen officers as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the tragic event.

• New for this year, and a partnership endeavour between the Fallen 4 Marathon

Committee and Town/County Economic Development, is the Big Bang Mud Run

scheduled for October 3. It will be dirty, it will be hard, it will be fun.

• Community wide celebrations on Canada Day and Family Day, and of course

our annual rodeo and jetboat races (both supported by the Town of

Whitecourt), are tradition and shouldn’t be missed.

• Look out for information in the Community Spectrum on this year’s Rotary

Summer “Unplugged” Program. Back by popular demand, this program

will keep your little ones moving and active outdoors all summer long.

• The Performing Arts Society has had an incredible year, hosting

concerts and theatre events for our community. The Society has more

in the works – keep an eye and ear out for concert announcements

(including one geared to our teenage demographic) and more this year.

Parks & Beautification

No matter the season, Whitecourt residents love spending time outdoors. The Town will continue to invest in its extensive park system to provide great outdoor experiences to residents of all ages - in any season.

2015 highlightS:• Continued support of the volunteer driven Communities In Bloom Committee. This year the Committee will be promoting water conservation, hosting a tree pruning and composting workshop, and hosting the Provincial Communities In Bloom Award Ceremony• Installation of water line at Graham Acres• Rotary Park enhancements which include: construction of an additional washroom/change room building; sun shelter; and replacement of the liner at the Whitecourt River Slides

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Recreation & Culture

High quality recreation facilities are essential to making communities great places to live – and invest in. Not only do they provide opportunities to residents, but they also drive growth and tourism to the area. We want Whitecourt to be a leader and embrace active, culturally enriched lives. The Town of Whitecourt will continue to invest in and research recreational opportunities, and provide leadership to cultural development within our community.

2015 highlightS:• Completion of Whitecourt Woodlands Winter Recreation Park in partnership with the Society and Woodlands County – opening for the winter 2015/2016 season.• Continued participation in planning for an arts and culture facility with Living Waters School Division and Woodlands County• Continued support of the Whitecourt Woodlands Performing Arts Society in their efforts to raise funds for the new arts and culture centre.• Major facility capital investments including: • Trail sign project which will include design and installation of new signs for trails and staging areas throughout our local trail system • Additional equipment for use at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre including: cross fit equipment for around the Rotary Running Track; additional fitness classes targeted at men and “cave man” fitness program supplies; portable ballet bar and yoga tune up; etc. • Replacement of the boards at the McLeod Rink, ice plant compressor maintenance and other building maintenance projects at the Scott Safety Centre • Whitecourt Public Library Grant • Update the Rotary Park and Sportfields Master Plans • Support the Mountain Bike Society on the development of a skills park.

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2014 Communities

In Bloom Provincial

Winner

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Town of Whitecourt 5004 52 Avenue, Box 509 Whitecourt AB T7S 1N6Phone: 780-778-2273

Contact usEmergencyAfterHours:780-778-7707Fax: 780-778-4166 Email:administration@whitecourt.ca

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Keeping you connected

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