Flagstaff County Council approves 2014 Business Plan and Budget

During their Dec. 11 regular council meeting, Flagstaff County Council reviewed and approved their 2014 Business plan.

The plan identifies five strategic objectives of Council, which include:

• Community of Communities – Council’s commitment to working with the towns and villages to enhance existing partnerships and create new opportunities for sharing resources and creating new collaborative partnerships.

• Economic Prosperity – Developing key priorities and a shared vision to create more economic and industry opportunities in the county.

• Social Responsibility – Continuing to develop and maintain supportive services for seniors, youths, and adults, determining need, then developing long-term plans.

• Responsible Level of Service – Continue to provide efficient, effective, and equitable municipal services.

•Environmental Responsibility – Working to minimize any adverse impact on the natural environment by adopting eco-friend practices, progressive planning, and the use of green technology.

Council’s proposed budget shows an increase of almost 14 per cent over 2013, or $1.7 Million. Of that, 23.8 per cent will be funded by reserves, and 76.2 per cent will be funded from taxes.

The plan identifies three main factors for the increase; those being a lack of assessment growth, reduced provincial and federal grant funding, specifically a decrease in MSI Operating grant funding for public health and culture programs, and planned changes to programs and services.

The plan reports that assessments decreased by $1,279,690 in non-residential assessment from 2013 to 2014.

Read more in the January 14, 2014 edition of The Community Press. Available on newsstands and by E-Subscription now!

Leslie Cholowsky, Editor