Financial Tools Infrastructure

Municipalities across the province are facing fiscal challenges keeping abreast with growth. Good and sustainable decision making requires prudent and discerning planning. We can endeavour to make the best decision we can based on the best data and plans we collect and develop; however, these decisions and plans mean nothing if the they are unable to be implemented.

To address this issue I wrote this resolution for Council's consideration.

Resolution to Address the Lack of Financial Tools Municipalities Have to Address Infrastructure Needs

Whereas Kindersley is a growing community with a growing commercial, industrial, retail, and residential base; and

Whereas the Town of Kindersley, having completed a number of assessments and plans including: infrastructure capacity assessment, long term financial plan, asset management, traffic study, landfill site assessment, and other planning tools like the new strategic plan, organizational effectiveness plan, culture and economic development plan, arts and recreation needs and operational assessment, as well as a new Official Community Plan and accompanying zoning by-laws; and

Whereas, based on the above assessments and plans, Kindersley’s growth may be compromised due to a lack of financial resources to sustainably support growth; and

Whereas the Town of Kindersley has identified as priority needs a new landfill site, a new sewage lagoon or treatment facility, new arts and recreation facilities to replace facilities almost 40 years old or facilities deemed unsafe or not cost effective and directed to be demolished; and

Whereas 130 urban municipalities are unable to accept or plan for new residents and new business because of a lack of resources to develop new infrastructure; and

Whereas infrastructure current funding available through the Build Canada Fund and matching funding from the Province of Saskatchewan are inadequate to address the immediate infrastructure needs of growing municipalities and regions; and

Whereas municipalities, especially towns, have limited revenue generating means; and

Whereas infrastructure funding by the federal and provincial governments are below the historical level in relation to GDP when most infrastructure was built.

Now therefore be it resolved that the Council of the Town of Kindersley strongly encourages the Government of the Province of Saskatchewan to amend current legislation and regulations to allow increased flexibility for borrowing monies to develop infrastructure. Items to amend include:

·         Increasing the amortization period for repayment;

·         Different considerations, or thresholds, for borrowing limits between those infrastructures that generate revenue and those that don’t;

·         Separating from municipal debt limit those infrastructures, such as utilities, that are self-sustaining; and

·         Provide approvals for increased debt limits for those municipalities who have developed asset management plans, infrastructure capacity plans, and long term financial plans;

And further be it resolved that the Government of the Province of Saskatchewan make such amends with all reasonable haste to facilitate ongoing and sustainable growth and competitiveness.