Village of Burns Lake held a budget meeting on Feb. 13, to discuss the proposed public works budget for 2024.
General Operations
The general operations for 2024’s total revenue was budgeted at $25,975, and the total expenditure was $339,873.
Sashka Macievich, Village of Burns Lake finance director, said the general operations include funds from sewer and water. She said that the expenses for this year had exceeded the budget. She informed the council that the budget should remain the same and hopes for a surplus at the end of the year. She added that most of the money for public works was generated through taxation except for water and sewer.
Buildings - museum, heritage church, library, interpretive centre, and Magee house
Macievich said that the Village of Burns Lake had already purchased these buildings. She informed council that these buildings’ net income [difference between income and expense] was transferred into reserves, which will be used for maintenance and repairs. For example, she said the museum needs an heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system next year, which was budgeted at $10,750 under contract services. The museum’s 2024 budget was set at $12,731.
She stated that the heritage church building’s $12,700 2024 budget was higher than last year’s actual $12,577 due to snow removal, lawn mowing, carpet cleaning, window repairs and other expenses.
Macievich said the Magee house’s transfer reserves from last year were $31,101. She said the reserve money was spent on the conversion of Airbnbs by buying materials and supplies, janitor contract services, utilities, hydro, and heating fuel. The Magee house’s 2024 budget total was $51,510.
The 2024 budget for the library was $7,410, and the interpretive centre was $13,200.
Equipment operations
The total equipment operations 2024 budget was $229,094.
Ken Chalmers, Village of Burns Lake bylaw enforcement officer, said that most of the equipment has aged and needs repairs and replacement; therefore, the expenses were high. For the 2024 contract services budget, $60,000 was allocated for maintenance and repairs.
Macievich said that these high expenses were also due to inflation.
Mayor Henry Wiebe asked how the salaries, wages and benefits were distributed into maintenance.
Chalmers said that the Village of Burns Lake did some of its own maintenance, such as hydraulics, oil changes, greasing joints, brake pads or shocks, which was charged accordingly.
Macievich added that any work being carried out in other departments by public works was charged and showed as a negative expenditure rather than revenue.
After the discussion, Charlie Rensby, Village of Burns Lake councillor, called for a motion to approve the recommended proposed budget, and Kevin White, Village of Burns Lake councillor, seconded it. More information will be available in upcoming budget meetings.