Moment with the Mayor: Budget and Infrastructure Conference

Hi Everyone:

A couple of significant topics this past week: the 2014 Budget and the Saskatchewan Municipal Infrastructure Conference we hosted in Kindersley.

This year, to conduct the normal course of business, which includes infrastructure maintenance and replenishing reserves, all we have recommended was to keep inflation at 2%. The last inflation rate we saw was 2.3%. However, we have to make some key investments:

·         Fire Hall - $500,000 for both 2014 and 2015

·         Regional Landfill Site - $400,000 for both 2014 and 2015

·         West Central Community Centre - ~$350,000

Council will be meeting over lunch on the 24^th to review this information and its impact on our pocket books. As I look forward, we need to make timely investments. It is good we take for granted many services such as water, sewer, garbage, and fire suppression. However, we also need to make those investments that contribute to our quality of life.

As I write this week’s column, we are hosting the 2^nd Annual Saskatchewan Municipal Infrastructure Conference at the Kindersley Inn. The conference sold out and we have 200 municipal leaders from around the province in attendance.

Guest speakers, including our own MLA Bill Boyd, Minister of Economy, and MLA Jim Reiter, our neighbouring MLA and Minister of Government Relations. Also speaking are experts in the various private sector fields needed for the healthy development of a community, discussing everything from waste water to curbs to recreation facilities. Here are the titles of some of the sessions held:

·         Growing Linkages of Strategic Infrastructure

·         Making Informed Decisions in Prioritizing Financial Investment

·         Effectively Navigating the Political Decision Making Process, Taxpayers Concerns, and Community Priorities

·         Asset Management – Progress, Integration, and Lessons Learned after 3 years (Shellbrook)

·         Building Resilient Communities

·         Economic Advantage of Good Municipal Planning

·         Municipal Infrastructure: How to Pay for It?

·         Navigating project Agreements and Project Finance

·         P3s for All and P3 Risk Management

I have received many positive comments about the conference and I want to thank Vickie Newmeyer and her team at Meridian Community Futures, Theresa and our staff at the Town Office, and Verona and her colleagues of SEDA for their hard work.

Please write or phone if you would like me to discuss a particular topic. If you have any questions or comments, drop me a line at the town office or email me at mayorenns-wind@kindersley.ca. You can also check out my blog at http://mayorjohn.blogspot.ca/. I appreciate your feedback.