Rocky View County (RVC) is seeking feedback from residents on its proposed 2024 budget.
The County is giving residents until Aug. 21 to fill out a survey, give direct feedback and have discussions through a community forum, and to use its “Budget Slider” online tool, where those interested can experiment with the County’s budget for themselves.
“Public engagement in the budget process is crucial as it allows the residents of Rocky View County to have a say in how their tax dollars are allocated,” RVC director of Corporate Services Kent Robinson told the Rocky View Weekly, when asked why getting resident feedback on the upcoming 2024 budget is important. “We will collect all the feedback received during the budget engagement process and present a comprehensive report to the council.
“If any concerns or dissatisfaction with services are highlighted, we will explore ways to address them.”
Robinson said overal, the County is in a good financial position so far in 2023, and is not as severely impacted by the inflationary pressures that occurred in 2022. Those pressures forced a three per cent tax adjustment in property taxes last year.
“When we spoke last year, inflation was a big concern,” said Robinson. “However it is less of a concern this year. Inflationary pressures are always present, however.”
Keeping these inflationary pressures in mind, Robinson did not rule out some form of potential tax increase for RVC residents again this year.
“Ultimately council will decide if there will be a tax increase,” he stated. “Administration will provide their best advice, and right now that advice will likely include a tax adjustment.”
A big topic of discussion at the most recent RVC Governance Committee meeting on July 11 was so-called “soft levies,” which proposed to ask residents to pay additional special taxes to help cover the over $190 million in expected infrastructure costs the County is facing over the next decade in the areas of fire response and recreation.
Robinson said this 2024 budget consultation will allow residents to have their say on that issue, as well.
“Traditionally, off-site levies were used for water, wastewater, and transportation infrastructure,” he explained. “The province recognized that other services like fire and recreation were significant costs to a municipality as a result of growth. They provided legislation to allow municipalities to develop levies for those purposes. Rocky View County is currently developing our soft levies for implementation in the future.”
Robinson hopes many residents will take advantage of this budget consultation period to make their voices heard.
“As the budget is interpreted, consider how it impacts your interaction with the County and the services you receive,” he said. “We encourage all residents and businesses to share their views during this budget engagement process. Your input will help us align our efforts to deliver the services and programs that meet your needs and priorities. Together, we can work towards a budget that serves the community effectively.”
Robinson said the County’s positive financial outlook means RVC has more choices in how to apply its budget, but also more challenges when it comes to dealing with the cost pressures arising from rapid growth.
“Public engagement in the budget process is crucial as it allows the residents of Rocky View County to have a say in how their tax dollars are allocated,” he said. “Their feedback helps us understand priorities and concerns, enabling us to make more informed decisions.”
To have your say on Rocky View County's 2024 budget, visit engage.rockyview.ca/budget.
