Creighton town council has signed off on a new budget that boosts spending, holds the line on taxes and injects hundreds of thousands of dollars into infrastructure.
The $3.8-million budget, approved Wednesday, also promises to maintain current services across the community.
“I think it’s always a good budget when we can…continue our services as they have been over the last number of years,” said Mayor Bruce Fidler, “and even improve [them], as we have done over the years, and without any extra costs to our residents.”
The budget maintains the same residential and commercial mill rates as last year. Also unchanged is the minimum property tax of $750.
Among the major capital projects are $500,000 for renovations, including roof repairs, at the Sportex and another $100,000 to pave and fix drainage issues at the Sportex parking lot.
Other projects include an upgrade to a lift station, Main Street beautification, storm sewer upgrades and new culverts.
The town will also do limited paving in anticipation of a larger paving budget next year, Fidler said.
With $3.8 million in expenses, the budget projects spending will rise $405,000 over last year.
However, the town was $615,000 under budget in 2014, so this year’s spending is actually $211,000 less than what was budgeted last year.
Also on Wednesday, council approved the town’s audited financial statements for 2014.
The statements show that between wages and reimbursed expenses, the mayor and the six aldermen and alderwomen cost $54,815.
Fidler earned a salary of $7,200. Ald. Don Aasen was paid $6,400, with Ald. Neal Andrusiak, Ald. Lorene Bonnett and Ald. Darren Grant each earning $6,000. Ald. Jeff Lane and Ald. Shirley Owen were each paid $5,600.
Reimbursed costs for each member of council ranged from $1,050 to $2,881 for a total tab of $12,015.
