The City of Melfort is getting very close to approving its Capital Budget for 2021.
On Thursday, Jan. 28 another Committee of the Whole Meeting was held to further discuss what things will look like in 2021, and future years.
For the City of Melfort’s General Capital Budget in 2021, its currently budgeted just over $66,000 worth of projects. However, that’s likely to change as projects are turned down or approved, leading other sections to be deferred to later dates.
Talks began on Thursday relating to the City of Melfort’s fleet, which includes various trucks, and equipment in various departments. For 2021, there are plans to replace six pieces of equipment in the city’s fleet. One of those however, does have a few variables the council members and administration are considering. A four-wheel drive truck replacement for the Fire Department is needed.
Coun. Trent Mitchell, who is also chair of the finance committee, told northeastNOW they are looking at other options if they can’t simply replace it this year.
“We’ve got some four wheel drive trucks that really don’t leave town,” he said. “Is there something that we can make an adjustment, instead of invest new.”
The city does have a backlog of vehicles in need of replacement. In over five years, it’s expected to cost around $2.8 million.
How things could change in regards to the fleet does relate to if some other projects do go ahead. Currently, the city has three local improvement projects on the General Capital Budget. Those projects include things like curbs and gutters in newer neighbourhoods or areas with new developments.
Part of the funding from those local improvement projects come from the property owners in the area that the project is taking place. A certain number of those owners need to approve the projects for them to go through.
“If some of those local improvements are turned down by the communities,” Mitchell said. “Then our portion is freed up.”
If one, some, or all of those projects get turned down, the money could then go to a purchase like the new trucks for the Fire Department. The other projects that would be waiting in the wings are backup power at the Kerry Vickar Centre, as well as new LED lighting at City Hall. That likely wouldn’t be decided until later this year.
Arguably the biggest topic of conversation over the past decade in Melfort has been water lines and getting them replaced. Administrators hoped to receive funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), but it looks there won’t be any intake for ICIP relating to water lines in 2021. With that knowledge now, the City of Melfort can look at the option presented if they aren’t getting the funding, which would include using some of the funds they would’ve used had the funding come through, and use that to replace a portion of water lines in Melfort.
“Our default is, that if nothing happens or nothing changes by March 31, we will tender those high hit projects and get those water lines replaced,” Mitchell said.
The total cost in 2021 for those water lines in the Utility Capital Budget is expected to be around $600,000.
As for the landfill capital budget City of Melfort has applied for an extension on the decommissioning of its current landfill. According to Director of Works and Utilities Gerald Gilmore, the project is likely to be approved for the ICIP extension and the funding that comes with closing the landfill. It would need to be done by 2027 at the latest and a new landfill would need to be ready to go about a year ahead of time.
“This extension, whatever it turns out to be,” Gilmore said. “If there’s an extension, we’ll just move our capital program to follow what the ministry will allow us to do.”
Gilmore said they have been working on what a new landfill would look like since 2017 and could have things ready sooner if necessary.
Meanwhile, there’s not much to report on the special capital budget this year. Council is exploring things such as an off leash dog park, and the utilization of the Historic Post Office, and library. Those are to be discussed at their strategic planning sessions.
Council has not yet officially approved the capital budget for 2021, but is hoping to do so at the next regular council meeting on Feb. 1. The operating budget is expected to pick up steam in early February.
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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca
On Twitter: @matbarrett6
