Taber to bring first three-year operating budget to council for approval

TABER – The town of Taber says a three-year budgeting process will help it better manage projects and services.

Town council reviewed draft operating budgets for 2018 and 2019 at a special meeting March 1. The draft includes no utility rate increase or property tax hike for 2017, except for those tied to the provincial carbon tax  and the consumer price index. The town will have to increase revenues by two per cent and one per cent, respectively.

Chief administrative officer Cory Armfelt said the shift to a three-year rolling operating budget will bring savings to Taber citizens.

“Ultimately it allows us to smooth out the peaks and the troughs,” he explained. For example, in 2016 the town sold more land than expected and got a good deal on many capital projects and expenditures.