City budget trimmed by $2.6 million as budget deliberations conclude

The City of Prince Albert’s Budget Committee concluded budget deliberations today following four days of line-by-line review of the General Fund in November. The committee adjourned in November to review further options to reduce spending and increase revenues. The final recommended budget was ultimately reduced by $2.6 million from the increase originally proposed by Administration.

“This review process has shown us that there is not a lot of room to trim without cutting into services,” said Mayor Dionne. “We want to build a better City and invest in the projects that add value to our residents. In this budget we have achieved that while also balancing the need to keep property tax increases to a minimum.”

The budget proposed by Administration recommended a $4.467 million increase in spending. Following deliberations that amount is now $1.807 million.

“Costs go up every year and the City faces the pressure of increasing demands for service and rising cost doing business,” said Mayor Greg Dionne. “In spite of these pressures, this Council is committed to working to keep tax rates as low as possible.”

In the 2022 budget, there are no cuts to existing service levels and major investments will be made again in the City’s parks and playgrounds and an unprecedented investment in Information Technology to improve the efficiency of the City’s operations over the long term. 

Notable projects this year include:

• Carlton Club Asphalt Surfacing for basketball and pickleball courts
  $130,000
• James Isbister Portable Skateboard park and basketball Court Replacement
  $100,000 + $200,000 from the Malcolm Jenkins Family Foundation
• Crescent Acres Spray Park
  $120,000 + $200,000 from the Malcolm Jenkins Family Foundation
• Phase 1 Developments at Little Red River Park to expand parking
  $146,000
• Rotary Adventure Park at Little Red
  $280,000 + $400,000 Malcom Jenkins Family Foundation + $670,000 Rotary Club
• Information Technology Infrastructure
  $500,000

The budget recommendations will be forwarded to an upcoming City Council meeting for final approval. Once approved, the next step in the process will be a decision regarding a tax plan which will finalize how the tax rate will impact different properties. Council will meet again to review options including minimum tax rates, base tax rates and the mill rate. This review is expected in March when the final tax rates will be set for 2022.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Mayor Greg Dionne
(306) 953-4300

Cheryl Tkatchuk
Director Financial Services
(306) 953-4350