Thursday, 17 October 2013

Financial Pressure Points

Friday we have our first budget meeting to discuss goals and objectives. As we discuss our goals and objectives here are some things I am concerned about for Kindersley's future.
  • Asset Cost Recovery, better known as "Infrastructure Deficit" of ~$40 million
  • Expansion of Sanitation Lagoon,
    • We are a growing community and though we have capacity for today and tomorrow, what about the day after tomorrow?
  • Expansion of Water Treatment Plan,
    • We are a growing community and though we have capacity for today and tomorrow, what about the day after tomorrow?
  • Need for a New Ladder Truck for the Fire Department,
    • More stories but also better access to the back of other buildings;
  • Need for a New Fire Hall,
    • More equipment and training will be needed;
  • Implementing recommendations from the Traffic Study;
  • Phase 2 Multi Use Facility ranging from ~$27 million to ~$65 million,
    • this is important for our quality of life and our ability to recruit new neighbours and help them to stay (besides our friendliness);
  • Design considerations to enhance our, and visitors and newcomers, experience of Kindersley,
    • do our designs make us safe, make our community more enjoyable, easier to work and play and live;
  • Adequate reserves for the unexpected including:
    • unknown known events (stuff breaks or something happens),
    • known unknown (such as fires, water line breakage, broken stop lights, etc.)
    • unknown unknown (that really happened?)
  • Have I forgotten something?
  • Do you have a suggestion?

We have some tough discussions coming up regarding how best to ensure that Kindersley is a socially and economically vibrant community. Helping us think through the ideas and talk about them so we can make the informed decisions are some tools we have been developing including:
  • Official Community Plan
  • Growth Plan
  • Long Term Finance Plan
  • Long Term Infrastructure Plan
  • Asset Management Plan
  • Strategic Plan
Tough decisions.

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