The Town of Golden’s 2022 proposed annual budget and 2022-2026 proposed financial plan is now available as part of the 2022 Budget Book online at golden.ca/budget, and in-person at Town Hall.
The Town is committed to sound financial management and developing a responsible budget. The proposed budget and five-year financial plan focuses on responsible spending including from a number of acquired grants and from borrowing.
“The Town of Golden is emerging from the pandemic years with renewed resiliency and no less resolve to move our community forward,” said Mayor Ron Oszust. “An entirely unexpected level of development activity, grant application successes, planned infrastructure replacements, service pressures, and internal staffing changes now and over the past 2 years continue to propel us forward. Our downtown transformation will continue with the long-awaited redevelopment of 9th Avenue North between IGA and Ford and this fall the complete transformation for the Post Officer Plaza. We will see projects supporting recreation with new flooring at the Rec Plex and a renewed base and surface for the basketball courts and new outdoor rink, as well as supporting the skate park expansion project.”
At the April 12, Special Open Council meeting, Mayor and Council passed the first reading of the proposed budget and five-year financial plan.
Highlights from the Budget:
- Budget increase: Council is targeting a 5 per cent budget increase for 2022. While a 5 per cent increase will not balance the effects of inflation, it will help the municipality keep up with inflation while maintaining service levels. Town staff will re-examine the reserve policy in 2023 to ensure adequate balances in forthcoming years. As always, the Town will be actively searching for as many grants as possible to alleviate the local tax burden for planned capital projects.
- 2022 Notable expenditures and initiatives: the much anticipated 9th Avenue North street renewal project will be completed by July; construction on the downtown plaza (in front of the Post Office) will start this fall; the Transportation and Active Transportation plans will be complete this year, setting a vision for the future of transportation in our community; the basketball courts and outdoor rink base will be replaced; a new floor is set to be installed at the Mount 7 Rec Plex; and continued work will take place to upgrade and maintain our community dike infrastructure.
“Due to changes and pressures in staffing we are seeing a condensed and expedited budget process this year,” explained Chief Administrative Officer, Jon Wilsgard. “But we still have lots of opportunities for public input. We encourage residents to participate and provide their thoughts. This is a chance for the community to ask questions, give feedback, learn about the different services the Town offers, and understand Council’s direction for 2022 and beyond.”
Residents are invited to provide feedback on the proposed budget and financial plan through the following opportunities:
- Take the online survey from now until April 25.
- Attend the April 26 Special Open Council Meeting:
- April 26 at 1:15 p.m. in person in Council Chambers or virtually via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85130369708
- Email: clerk@golden.ca title email as “2022 budget.”
- Mail: Corporate Officer, Box 350, Golden, B.C, V0A 1H0.
The public consultation period ends on April 19, 2022.
For more information, and to stay informed, visit golden.ca/budget.