Your City, Your Dollar- 2022 Municipal Budget

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Consultation has concluded

What is the municipal budget?

The municipal budget prioritizes projects, programs and service levels based on anticipated revenues and expenses for the next calendar year. Essentially, the budget is a carefully prepared document to which outlines spending allowances while ensuring there are adequate funds available to support the municipal services for the community.

Within the municipal budget, there are two major components:

  • The operating budget accounts for the day-to-day expenses for operations, such as program staff, facility maintenance, and utilities.
  • The capital budget plans for the construction of new assets or improvement of existing assets, such as the wastewater treatment facility, Servus Sports Centre, and equipment used in operations.

How to fund the prioritized projects, programs and service levels is a challenging task that requires consideration of several factors, including the impact to ratepayers, the development of fair and equitable user fees and the evaluation of reserve balances. As outlined in the Lloydminster Charter, any shortfall of revenues at the end of the calendar year must be covered by a draw from reserves as the City must present a balanced budget. 

How is the municipal budget created?

The municipal budget is created in a series of steps and processes, ultimately, it is City Council’s decision to approve the municipal budget that outlines the operating requirements of the city to provide municipal services. The budgetary process is repeated annually to ensure services are adequately met and that the community’s voice is heard and considered.

How are services funded?

Municipal services are funded through the following sources of revenue sources:

  • Provincial or federal grants
  • User fees
  • Franchise fees and concession contracts
  • Municipal taxes

Pre-planning the sources of revenue ensures there are no interruptions in service delivery for the community. Grant opportunities are maximized to reduce the dependence on the ratepayer. Similarly, user fees capture revenue from the individuals and organizations that use City amenities. Where as, municipal taxes fund general operations that benefit the entire community as a whole.

Annually, taxation bills are comprised of three categories:

  • municipal taxes,
  • educational taxes, and
  • seamless educational taxes.

The municipal taxes fund essential services discussed throughout this survey, such as transportation, recreation and other municipal services. Educational taxes are established by the provincial governments (Alberta and Saskatchewan) to support public and catholic school operations. The seamless educational taxes are unique to Lloydminster and enable both school divisions to offer Alberta and Saskatchewan students the same curriculum and a seamless experience.

Survey

Between July 2 and September 6, 2021, residents were able to influence City Council’s decision! Throughout the interactive online survey, based on the 2021 residential mill rate, they were able to:

  • add their 2021 property assessment value to see how increasing or decreasing service levels could affect potential 2022 taxation rates;
  • draft, edit and submit a budget and compare against anonymous submissions;
  • engage with other respondents through the feedback left on responses; and
  • discuss their budget-related questions with City subject-matter-experts. 

View the What We Heard report in the documents section of this page for a summary of the data collected.

What is the municipal budget?

The municipal budget prioritizes projects, programs and service levels based on anticipated revenues and expenses for the next calendar year. Essentially, the budget is a carefully prepared document to which outlines spending allowances while ensuring there are adequate funds available to support the municipal services for the community.

Within the municipal budget, there are two major components:

  • The operating budget accounts for the day-to-day expenses for operations, such as program staff, facility maintenance, and utilities.
  • The capital budget plans for the construction of new assets or improvement of existing assets, such as the wastewater treatment facility, Servus Sports Centre, and equipment used in operations.

How to fund the prioritized projects, programs and service levels is a challenging task that requires consideration of several factors, including the impact to ratepayers, the development of fair and equitable user fees and the evaluation of reserve balances. As outlined in the Lloydminster Charter, any shortfall of revenues at the end of the calendar year must be covered by a draw from reserves as the City must present a balanced budget. 

How is the municipal budget created?

The municipal budget is created in a series of steps and processes, ultimately, it is City Council’s decision to approve the municipal budget that outlines the operating requirements of the city to provide municipal services. The budgetary process is repeated annually to ensure services are adequately met and that the community’s voice is heard and considered.

How are services funded?

Municipal services are funded through the following sources of revenue sources:

  • Provincial or federal grants
  • User fees
  • Franchise fees and concession contracts
  • Municipal taxes

Pre-planning the sources of revenue ensures there are no interruptions in service delivery for the community. Grant opportunities are maximized to reduce the dependence on the ratepayer. Similarly, user fees capture revenue from the individuals and organizations that use City amenities. Where as, municipal taxes fund general operations that benefit the entire community as a whole.

Annually, taxation bills are comprised of three categories:

  • municipal taxes,
  • educational taxes, and
  • seamless educational taxes.

The municipal taxes fund essential services discussed throughout this survey, such as transportation, recreation and other municipal services. Educational taxes are established by the provincial governments (Alberta and Saskatchewan) to support public and catholic school operations. The seamless educational taxes are unique to Lloydminster and enable both school divisions to offer Alberta and Saskatchewan students the same curriculum and a seamless experience.

Survey

Between July 2 and September 6, 2021, residents were able to influence City Council’s decision! Throughout the interactive online survey, based on the 2021 residential mill rate, they were able to:

  • add their 2021 property assessment value to see how increasing or decreasing service levels could affect potential 2022 taxation rates;
  • draft, edit and submit a budget and compare against anonymous submissions;
  • engage with other respondents through the feedback left on responses; and
  • discuss their budget-related questions with City subject-matter-experts. 

View the What We Heard report in the documents section of this page for a summary of the data collected.

Consultation has concluded

How can we help you understand the municipal budget? What are your budget-related questions? 

  • Share Is there a budget for improving the city streets-( re-paving, potholes)? on Facebook Share Is there a budget for improving the city streets-( re-paving, potholes)? on Twitter Share Is there a budget for improving the city streets-( re-paving, potholes)? on Linkedin Email Is there a budget for improving the city streets-( re-paving, potholes)? link

    Is there a budget for improving the city streets-( re-paving, potholes)?

    Sherri asked over 3 years ago

    Hi Sherri, the City of Lloydminster has an operating budget for pavement maintenance. This includes potholes patching, crack filling and asphalt patching. Potholes are an ongoing concern for all municipalities. We use a cold mix material and a spray patch machine for temporary repairs for potholes while contractors work on the larger repairs.

  • Share How much income does cultural center generate and what are its expenses, is it profitable or burden? on Facebook Share How much income does cultural center generate and what are its expenses, is it profitable or burden? on Twitter Share How much income does cultural center generate and what are its expenses, is it profitable or burden? on Linkedin Email How much income does cultural center generate and what are its expenses, is it profitable or burden? link

    How much income does cultural center generate and what are its expenses, is it profitable or burden?

    TimL asked over 3 years ago

    Hi Tim,

    Thanks for your question.

    As with most municipal facilities, the former Lloydminster Cultural & Science Centre operated at a deficit. While efforts are made to recover operating costs through programming and admissions, most municipal recreation and culture facilities are subsidized by tax dollars, grants and other funding sources.

    In 2019:
    LCSC operating expenditures were $860,000
    LCSC revenues were $142,000

    More detailed financial information is available in our annual Financial Statements.

    You can also now see the summary report of the 2022 municipal budget survey.

    #lcsc
    #lcsc
  • Share What programs are included in the Social Services portion of the annual budget? on Facebook Share What programs are included in the Social Services portion of the annual budget? on Twitter Share What programs are included in the Social Services portion of the annual budget? on Linkedin Email What programs are included in the Social Services portion of the annual budget? link

    What programs are included in the Social Services portion of the annual budget?

    Ken asked over 3 years ago

    Hi Ken,

    Thank you for your question.

    The City of Lloydminster Social Programs and Services Department builds connection, resiliency and capacity for the residents of Lloydminster through programs and community partnerships. Some of these programs include the Seniors Taxi Program, Recreation Access Program, Lloyd Supports Directory, Block Party Program, Family Activity Kits, Youth Graffiti Clean Up, community grants, workshops, events, and more. For a detailed explanation of programs and services please see the Social Programs and Services Annual report

    SPS 2019 Annual Report
    SPS 2020 Annual Report

    You can also now view the summary report for the 2022 municipal budget survey. 

    #fcss,#socialprograms
    #fcss #socialprograms
  • Share Will the city will be applying for the bicycle path / trails grant funding announced by the Government of Canada in March? on Facebook Share Will the city will be applying for the bicycle path / trails grant funding announced by the Government of Canada in March? on Twitter Share Will the city will be applying for the bicycle path / trails grant funding announced by the Government of Canada in March? on Linkedin Email Will the city will be applying for the bicycle path / trails grant funding announced by the Government of Canada in March? link

    Will the city will be applying for the bicycle path / trails grant funding announced by the Government of Canada in March?

    Jana asked over 3 years ago

    Hi Jana,

    Thanks for your question!

    Regarding bicycle path/trails grant funding, the City was unsuccessful in its application for funding under the 2021 Canadian Health Communities Initiative, however, we will continue to seek support through other grant opportunities, such as the Canadian Community Revitalization Fund.

    Please see the summary report for the 2022 municipal budget survey.