www.whitecourt.ca

2016Budget Report

Moving Forward

www.whitecourt.ca

10,574people

4,420private dwellings

$366,000Average assessed value of a single family home

2015 development permits valued at almost

$66 million

Region o�ers

420km of groomed snowmobile trails

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

O�er over 800 �tness/ recreation/wellness programs to residents

Town of Whitecourt 2016 Operating and Capital Budget totals

$56.6 millionAnnual average daily tra�c on Highway 43 through Whitecourt

24,940 vehicles

According to the most recent 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

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; Community Facility Enhancement Program; Building Canada Fund; Alberta GreenTRIP.

www.whitecourt.ca

10,574people

4,420private dwellings

$366,000Average assessed value of a single family home

2015 development permits valued at almost

$66 million

Region o�ers

420km of groomed snowmobile trails

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

O�er over 800 �tness/ recreation/wellness programs to residents

Town of Whitecourt 2016 Operating and Capital Budget totals

$56.6 millionAnnual average daily tra�c on Highway 43 through Whitecourt

24,940 vehicles

According to the most recent 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

Council & Administration

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

Mayor’s Message:It goes without saying that first and foremost on everyone’s mind right now is the economy. It’s been a year of ups and downs throughout our province and across Canada, and we know that local businesses and households have been impacted by this volatility. It’s important that residents are aware that despite this instability, there are exciting things underway that will grow our community, and investment inter-est in our region continues to be strong. The priorities and projects included in the 2016 Budget support this fact, and together we will continue to move forward.

During budget preparations, our residents remained the top priority. We know that people are feeling the pinch from low oil prices – food and other household costs have increased, and at the same time incomes have been affected. In recognition of this, we made it a priority to not burden taxpayers with a higher municipal tax payment at a time when every penny counts.

I must remind you that the provision of government

services and programs has also been impacted by inflation and other recent economic factors. Prepara-tion of this budget involved balancing our need to increase efficiencies while at the same time meet demands for enhanced programs and services. I believe this budget has found that balance, and that the 2016 budget will minimize the tax impact on households while maintaining the quality of life we are accustomed to.

This budget was guided by public input, and the Town of Whitecourt worked to actively engage the public throughout the budget process. Council is reviewing options to further expand public consultation activi-ties in order to gain feedback for 2017 and future budgets. Look for promotions during the summer of 2016 explaining how you can be more involved.

This will be an exciting year for Whitecourt, and together we will continue to move forward.

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:

Back Row: Councillor Derek schlosser, Mayor Maryann Chichak, Councillor norm Hodgson. Front Row: Councillor Bill McAree, Councillor Paul Chauvet, Councillor Darlene Chartrand, Councillor Eris Moncur.

www.whitecourt.ca

if your house is assessed at $366,000

you can expect to pay:

$1,800.35 General Municipal Taxes $896.44 Education Requisition $76.35 seniors Requisition $2,773.14 2016 Property Tax Total

2016 taX rateSResidential non-Residential

Municipal Tax Rate 4.9190 8.2742Education Requisition 2.4493 3.5017seniors Requisition 0.2086 0.2086Total Property Tax Rate 7.5769 11.9845

The 2016 Budget, which totals $56,611,049, includes many exciting projects and services that will enhance the community’s quality of life.

With current economics in our province and throughout the country, Town Council has maintained municipal levies as a result of a 0% increase in the 2016 Budget.

For every dollar of taxation:• $0.69 is allocated to municipal operations/projects• $0.29 is allocated to schools• $0.02 is allocated to the Lac Ste. Anne Foundation for seniors housing

there are three partS to the property taX:•GeneralMunicipalTaxRate– 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 Tax Rate/1000 = Total Property Tax

You can expect to receive your Town of Whitecourt Tax Noticesinmid-May.Ifyouhavequestionsaboutyourtaxnotice, feel free to contact the Tax Clerk at 780-778-2273. property taXeS are due Monday, July 4, 2016.

2016capitalbudget

$16,821,957

Parks & Recreation

6.46%

WaterOperation

8.53%

Sanitary Sewer Operation

2.08%General

Government10.65%

Other General Services1.18%

Police Protection

0.22%

FireProtection

6.22%

Common Services11.10%

RoadTransportation

0.71%

Land Sales/Planning & Development

41.65%

F.C.S.S., Seniors &

Public Transit11.20%

www.whitecourt.ca

Taxation & Assessment

Where yourtaX dollar goeS

$12,513,624tax dollar allocation to

each department

Roads/Cemetery/Storm Sewers

$0.16

Common Services$0.07

By-law Enforcement/Animal Control

$0.02

Fire Protection$0.06

Police Protection$0.09

Other General Services$0.06

General Government

$0.13

Legislative$0.03

Library$0.03

Parks & Recreation

$0.27

F.C.S.S., Seniors & Public Transit

$0.03

Planning and Development

$0.04

Economic Development

$0.03

2016operating

budget$39,789,092

Fire Protection3.85%

Disaster14.15%

CommonServices2.44%

Roads/Cemetery/Storm Sewers

10.51%

Environmental Health Services

3.82%

F.C.S.S. Seniors &

Public Transit3.60%

Planning & Development/

Land Sales5.71%

EconomicDevelopment/

Housing3.34%

Police & Bylaw11.08%

Other General Services 2.34%General Government

5.95%Sanitary Sewer

Operation4.85%

Water Operation6.33%

Library 1.77%

Parks & Recreation

20.26%

coMparatiVe Municipal taX rateS

ResidentialNon-Residential

Drumheller

High River

Rocky Mountain

House

Grande Prairie

White

court

Cold Lake

Hinton

Edson

Lacombe

note: 2015 Tax Rates are shown for all municipalities except Whitecourt which is 2016.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

2

4

6

8

10

14

16

12

not including School and Foundation Requistions

www.whitecourt.ca

• $0.23 of each tax dollar is allocated to this function.• Infrastructure Services maintains 99km of road, 50km of paved trail, and an additional 50km of pathways and unpaved trails.• The Water Treatment Plant’s capacity is 18 million litres per day.• Whitecourt, on average, consumes 5 million litres of water per day. In the summer months, consumption can reach up to 7 million litres of water per day.

Did

youknow?

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 2016 budget towards maintaining our investment in the community and ensuring the services and infrastructure you depend on are reliable, safe, and efficient.

2016 prioritieS and proJectS: capital• Athabasca Flats East – detailed engineering continues with construction of associated road infrastructure $5,869,216• Engineering for Water System Upgrade Project – second utility crossing to west Whitecourt; dedicated supply main and pump upgrades; pressure reducing station, and other system upgrades $672,000• Street Improvement Program – overlay; west Whitecourt drainage improvements; streets, stairs, lighting and sidewalk repairs $1,322,185• Installation of water/sewer services at Graham Acres concession $50,000• Construction of a new sand/salt storage facility $400,000

operating• Completion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Odour Mitigation Master Plan by the Fall of 2016• Review of residential waste and recycling services to identify opportunities to divert waste from landfill and increase amount of materials recycled locally• Review and implement new utilities bylaw • Designs Standards Review

In response to population growth, fast-tracked community capital projects (the new Living Waters Catholic high school 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.

Completed in 2015: • Trunk sewer mains and sanitary force main • Water lines • Storm mains

Underway for 2016: • A lift station (that will increase capacity in the area and is designed to serve future developments) • Arterial roads (including earthworks, sidewalk, curbing, landscapes, etc.)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, arts and culture centre, and recreational facilities (i.e. sportsfields).

Athabasca Flats East Development Project

construction on athabasca Flats east

www.whitecourt.ca

EconomicDevelopment& Planning

Whitecourt has experienced exceptional growth over the last several years, and interest in our community continues to grow. With this growth come many exciting economic opportunities – as well challenges. 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 labourers.

2016 prioritieS and proJectS:• Downtown and Highway Revitalization – complete detailed design, and implement 2016 quick wins which include construction of the Highway 32 entrance sign and installation of new banners• Offsite Levies Bylaw review• Downtown parking study• Design standards review• Quality Management Plan review – scope and administration of the fire code and building code• Economic Development Strategy • Continued involvement and participation on the Business Support Network, Youth Advisory Career Committee• Continue to assist and support local events and initiatives (i.e. Trailblazers Poker Rally, Career Fairs, Chamber of Commerce hosted events)• Rebrand Whitecourt Woodlands Tourism (formally known as the Joint Economic Development and Tourism Committee)• Business Visitation Program launch• Continuation of the Tourism Enhancement, Tourism Product Development, Community Business Beautification, and Vitalization Grant Programs

• $0.07 of each tax dollar is allocated to this function.• The value of development permits issued in 2015 was $65.9 million.• There were 82 new lots registered in 2015; up 42% from 2014.• Guinness Book of World Records for Snowmobile Parade (February 2015)• Alex Metcalfe Award from Economic Developers of Alberta for creation of the Business Support Network (April 2015) • Economic Developers Alberta Award in the “Business Retention and Expansion” category for creation of the Business Support Network (April 2015)

Did

youknow?

Athabasca Flats East Development Project

Vitalization grant cheque presentation - associate Medical clinic

party in the park

www.whitecourt.ca

CommunitySafety

A high quality of life is created when a community is inclusive, healthy, and safe. As Whitecourt continues to grow and develop, it was timely to provide a greater emphasis on community safety and emergency services. In 2015, all functions relating to protective services were grouped together to provide an integrated approach to protecting the community through the creation of the Community Safety Department. Members of our local RCMP detachment, Whitecourt Fire Department, and Bylaw Enforcement work together to continue to provide high quality and innovative services to the citizens of Whitecourt.

2016 prioritieS and proJectS:capital• River Erosion Control Project – Whitecourt will continue to work with the Province, Woodlands County, and industry for the design and construction of bank erosion protection along the Athabasca River. $5,534,781• Purchase of a new heavy rescue truck $913,453

operating• Continue fire prevention and education• Continuation of FireSmart Program with forest and wildland fire hazard areas throughout Town. With funding support from the Province of Alberta, Whitecourt will be the first community in the province to employ a summer crew to complete small area FireSmart work on Town and Crown property.• Crime Prevention Programming including bike rodeos, kindergarten tours, bullying prevention, etc.

www.whitecourt.ca

• $0.17 of each tax dollar is allocated to this function.• The Whitecourt Fire Department consists of 3 full time employees plus 40 volunteers.• Whitecourt’s Fire Department responded to 322 emergency calls in 2015.• The Whitecourt RCMP municipal detachment dealt with over 6,300 files/tickets in 2015.• Whitecourt’s RCMP detachment employs 1 Staff Sergeant, 16 Members, 4 Municipal Support Clerks, and 1 Crime Prevention Coordinator.• FireSmart Community Protection Achievement Award (December 2015)

Did

youknow?

The Town of Whitecourt reached a milestone in our FireSmart efforts with

the receipt of the national FireSmart Community Protection Achievement

Award. Whitecourt is the third community to receive this national award

which recognizes local governments in Canada that have demonstrated

tremendous commitment to completing FireSmart plans and that have

initiated projects to help safeguard their community.

Since 2010, the Town of Whitecourt has completed a variety of FireSmart

related projects, including the completion of a community assessment

report, the creation of a local FireSmart Community Protection Plan,

creation of the Dahl Drive FireSmart Demonstration Site, and fire hazard

reduction treatments to areas throughout town.

In 2016, Whitecourt will receive $65,500 from the Alberta FireSmart

Community Grant Program to complete the following initiatives:

• Four summer students will be hired in 2016 to complete maintenance

and priority work within town limits. We will be the first community to

complete this type of project, and it is hoped that the program’s success

will encourage other communities across our province to follow suit.

• In partnership with staff from the Whitecourt Forest Area branch of

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Whitecourt will host an educational

workshop and barbeque at Rotary Park to educate the public on how to

FireSmart their own properties. It will be a fun and educational event for

people of all ages.

Information on upcoming FireSmart events and projects will be posted on

www.whitecourt.ca.

FireSmart Chris

toph

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oto

www.whitecourt.ca

Community SupportServices

• $0.03 of each tax dollar is allocated to this function.• There are 16 employees working in Community Support Services.• The Whitecourt Food Bank served 1,313 people in 2015.• 1,026 children attended Parent Link & Early Childhood Development programs in 2015.• 102 people participated in the Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Transportation Program in 2015.

Did

youknow? One’s health goes beyond just a physical state – it includes your social and mental

wellbeing as well. Services and programs offered within our community contribute and support the health of all members of your family. Whether it’s providing transportation to and from appointments, hosting wellness information sessions, or offering events that allow you to socialize with friends – we are committed to building a healthy community.

2016 prioritieS and proJectS:• Continue to operate Whitecourt Transit at existing service levels, and invest in capital projects to enhance the program in the long term with the assistance of the Province’s GreenTRIP Grant Program• Continuation of the Family & Community Support Services Grant Program• Continue to manage the contract with the Boys & Girls Club to provide youth development services• Enhancement of seniors programming and support• Support the Youth Advisory Committee which acts as a liaison between Town Council and Whitecourt youth to ensure needs of this demographic are met. This year the Committee was expanded to 12 members.

2016 enhancement grant cheque presentation

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PlaygroundsPlaytime, and especially outdoor playtime, is important for a child’s

development. In 2014, Whitecourt developed a playground replacement

plan which outlines priorities for the next several years. Last year, Southland

Park and Baly playgrounds were replaced. On the books this year – Wagoner

playground.

Summer is an excellent time to get out and get active with your family. Visit

one of the many parks and playgrounds, or go for a walk or bike ride. Pick up

a Whitecourt Playgrounds brochure to find out where the nearest playground is

in your neighbourhood.

arts in the park

www.whitecourt.ca

Recreation, Parks and 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.

2016 prioritieS and proJectS:capital • Implementation of a trail sign project (new signs for trails and staging areas) $44,000• Scott Safety Centre enhancements include Zamboni replacement $150,000• Rotary Park – Construction of a new washroom/change room building $500,000

operating• Allan & Jean Millar Centre budget highlights: o Additional equipment will be added to the coves around the Rotary Running Track to create a track circuit o Replacement of cardio equipment in the A.S.A.P. Heating & Well Servicing Fitness Centre o Additional dumbbells and racks in the A.S.A.P. Heating & Well Servicing Fitness Centre• Continue to pursue community partnerships in regards to the proposed arts & culture facility and assess operational business plan • Continue to support the Whitecourt Woodlands Performing Arts Society• Continued support of the Communities In Bloom Committee which will be hosting workshops on flower garden design and noxious weeds• Participate in the TAME+ (Take Action to Manage Energy) Program • Scott Safety Centre enhancements include repairing McLeod Rink showers, replacing roof top air handling units and chiller repairs• Rotary Park: installation of a sun shelter at the Off Leash Dog Park• Parks & Playgrounds o Landscaping enhancements at Friendship Park o Replacement of Wagoner Playground• Sportsfields Master Plans • Graham Acres improvements

• $0.27 of each tax dollar is allocated to this function.• Over 800 fitness/recreation/wellness programs are offered to residents each year.• There were 111,000 scanned visits at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre in 2015.• You can follow the Whitecourt Communities In Bloom group page on Facebook for information on upcoming events and promotions.

Did

youknow?

canada day

big bang Mud run

www.whitecourt.ca

www.facebook.com/TownofWhitecourtwww.facebook.com/MaryannChichakforMayorwww.facebook.com/MillarCentrewww.facebook.com/WhitecourtFireDepartmentwww.facebook.com/WhitecourtCIB

FindusonFacebookat:Town of Whitecourt 5004 52 Avenue, Box 509 WhitecourtABT7S1N6Phone: 780-778-2273

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

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ComingDecember2016

Renew your pet’s dog license