Creston’s mayor and council have started the process to create an annual budget for 2025, with a draft now available for public review.
Each year, the Town of Creston determines how much needs to be allocated to maintain or enhance current essential services (in the base operating budget) and to fund capital projects.
“One of the things I think we've done well here is we've set aside money for the future in places where we feel we need it,” said Mayor Arnold DeBoon, referencing increased policing costs and replacement of the sewage water treatment plant.
“We have a budget for all of these things that we're putting money into as we go, so we don't have a $25-million hit all of a sudden,” he said, crediting Steffan Klassen, director of finance, for effective planning.
The public engagement process began in the fall, as surveys were mailed out to residents asking for input on how to spend tax dollars.
“It’s important what they feel about the level of taxation and how it’s spent,” said DeBoon. “I think we always maintain that it's not what you pay, it's what you get with what you pay.”
Deliberations for 2025’s budget were held over two days in November at a special committee of the whole meeting. Representatives from all municipal departments gave presentations to council for consideration.
The 2025 draft budget and five-year financial plan is now available online. Residents are encouraged to provide feedback by creating a free account on the Let’s Talk Creston website.
Go to letstalk.creston.ca/2025-municipal-budget, scroll down to the “Comments” and “Questions” tab, and provide input there. The deadline for submitting feedback is Feb. 7, 2025.
Public comments will be presented to council at the Feb. 11 meeting, during further review of the recommended budget.
Several weeks later, on Feb. 25, the first of three readings of the Five Year Financial Plan 2025 - 2029 bylaw will be conducted at a public budget meeting, to be adopted by March 11. Adoption of the Tax Rates bylaw will follow on April 29.
The finalized budget must be adopted by council no later than May 15.
Residents are encouraged to attend council meetings to keep up with the decisions made during the budget process.
Meetings are now video recorded and can be viewed any time online at creston.ca/meetings-agenda-and-minutes.
“Almost no one ever comes to our financial planning meetings, which are all public meetings,” said DeBoon. “I just encourage people to be informed before being critical.”