Creighton taxpayers will not see an increase in taxes this year.
Tax revenue for the town is up slightly, but no new taxes have been named in the town’s budget, approved at the May 9 meeting of town council.
Councillors approved two bylaws during the meeting, giving first, second and third reading to bylaws authorizing tax levies and mill rate factors and the minimum tax.
The increase in tax revenue is due in part to increases on fees for trailer licensing, which was approved by town council in April.
Property taxes and mill rates will remain the same as last year.
In total, the budget shows $4,319,670 in revenue. The forecasted revenue is a slight decrease from the $4.4 million from last year’s budget, but a noticeable drop from the overall revenue reported by the town last year – a total of $6,953,632.
Last year’s total was boosted by a $3.2 million conditional federal grant to offset costs for the town’s water and sewer replacement project.
Over the next year, the town plans to carry out a number of capital projects. A total of $1,320,100 has been allocated for new capital expenditure projects, including $50,000 for a half ton truck to be used by city work crews and $400,000 for property development and investment.
“There are lots of projects being done, and there’s no new tax increases,” said mayor Bruce Fidler at the meeting.
Work on Creighton Avenue continues to be the town’s largest project, including the ongoing water and sewer infrastructure work and repaving both the sidewalks and street.
“That would probably be our biggest priority, the water and sewer system – making sure everything is up to date with that,” said Cindy Davis, assistant administrator for the town of Creighton.
The total price tag for sidewalk replacement along Creighton Avenue comes in at around $350,000.
“We’re hoping to have it all done by the end of August,” said Davis.
The total cost for the town’s water and sewer project is estimated to be around $4 million in total, including the $3.2 million federal grant received by the town.
Other capital projects include town beautification, which will mostly be done around Creighton Avenue and Main Street.
“The boulevards along Main Street, we try to keep those up each year. There’s a green space along Creighton Avenue that we’re trying to develop,” said Davis.
“We’ve done some beautification along where the ball diamond is. We’ve planted some trees around there.”
One more capital project will involve the Creighton Sportex.
An extra $20,000 has been added to the budget for Sportex renovation. A total of $175,000 was allocated for renovations to the building last year, but none of the money was spent.
Another $30,000 has been budgeted to erect a safety net for spectators at the arena.
“It’s my understanding that it will only be along where the spectators sit, just as a safety feature,” said Davis.
Other projects include upgrades to the town’s lagoon and fire hydrant replacement. The town has budgeted $5,530 to replace aging hydrants over the next year.
“There’s been a few hydrants identified that need replacing. They’ll be dug up this summer and replaced,” said Davis.
“There was one that was dug up last year that was starting to become a problem, but I don’t think there’s been any concern with any of the other ones. They’re starting to show signs of leaking and wear, and because of the leaking, we’re hoping to get them replaced before they do become a hazard.”
There is an increase of around $136,000 in town fees and charges, mostly through increases in what is labeled as “custom work” in the budget – mostly for miscellaneous funding for city infrastructure work, like thawing water lines.
“We’ve changed our policy. Before, we never used to thaw water lines – we would go and refer people to a plumber,” said Davis.
“Now, if [town works employees] have time and are able, they can go and thaw lines for us for a fee.”
