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Following two days of budget deliberations in late October, Ponoka Town Council has now approved the 2025 Interim Town Budget at its regular meeting last week. The total amount of the Interim Budget is $38,026,553 which includes an Operating Budget of $23,707,410 and a Capital Budget of $14,319,143.
The Interim Budget doesn’t yet factor in property assessment values which only become available in the spring. At that time, Town Council will have the opportunity to review the budget and make final adjustments prior to adopting a final budget in 2025. Until then, it’s too early to accurately calculate the municipal property tax increase for 2025; however, based on the 2025 Interim Budget, the estimated tax increase is projected to be about 3.25 per cent.
“Council and Administration worked together to find efficiencies and arrive at a lean, fiscally responsible budget,” said Town of Ponoka Chief Administrative Officer Sandra Lund. “The 2025 Interim Budget balances and delivers on key priorities in the Town’s Strategic Plan by carefully managing spending while continuing to fund essential services that our citizens rely on,” she added.
A Continued Focus on Investing in Infrastructure
“The 2025 Interim Budget once again invests in maintaining and upgrading key infrastructure in the community, which helps position the Town to grow and thrive into the future,” said Ponoka Mayor Kevin Ferguson, adding “Council worked very hard to keep property taxes as low as possible while continuing to fund key services that citizens rely on.” He noted that the estimated increase in municipal property taxes reflects inflationary cost increases.
Some of the operating, capital and infrastructure projects planned for 2025 include:
• Ponoka’s Annual Pavement and Concrete Improvement Program – This includes extensive annual maintenance and improvement of Town roadways and sidewalks throughout the community;
• Community Safety Initiatives – Council is developing a plan to help address community safety concerns expressed by local citizens. More details will be shared once the planning process is completed;
• Highway 53 Improvements – The Town is continuing its discussion with Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors to plan future improvements to Highway 53 in Ponoka. The Town is allocating future funding for its share of the highway improvements;
• Waterworks System Improvements – The Town’s asset management program is expanding to include a full inspection of the storm sewer system and maintenance where needed. The ongoing asset management program also includes sanitary sewer system inspection and maintenance; ongoing equipment rehabilitation and replacement at Town pump stations and reservoirs to ensure optimum operational efficiency and reliability of the system; and extensive planning and analysis for future News Release November 19, 2024 improvements to the Town’s Wastewater Treatment System, including a future sanitary trunk main replacement;
• Ponoka Aquaplex Upgrades – Includes replacement of the pool filters to ensure ongoing optimal water filtration and operational efficiency at the facility;
• Skate Park Expansion – The finishing touches on construction of the Skate Park Expansion will be completed in the spring with a grand opening event to be held soon after.
• New Cemetery Software – Includes user-friendly maps that will make it easy for citizens to find loved ones at the local cemetery, and to share photos and stories on the software to celebrate memories of their loved ones.
2025 Interim Budget Aligns with Public Consultation Results
The 2025 Interim Budget aligns with the results of the Town’s annual public consultation process, which included Coffee with Council events, an online Budget Open House and a Citizen Input Survey that invited Ponoka citizens to give their input on top priorities they wanted Town Council to consider as it deliberated the 2025 Budget.
The top three priorities identified by citizens included:
• Community Safety
• Parks and Recreation
• Infrastructure
“Citizen input is a critical part of the budget planning process,” said Mayor Ferguson. He noted that public input and priorities identified in the budget survey results this year were carefully considered and addressed in the 2025 Interim Budget through ongoing upgrades and improvements to Town infrastructure, including roads and sidewalks throughout Ponoka; planned improvements to parks and recreation facilities; and continued funding of the Town’s new Protective Services Manager and full-time Community Peace Officer who continue to support public safety in partnership with the Ponoka RCMP.
“Council will have additional announcements to make about how it plans to address community safety in the months ahead,” said Mayor Ferguson. “I think this Interim Budget does a very good job of balancing the needs of our community while positioning Ponoka for continued growth and success,” he added.
**With information provided by The Town of Ponoka