The District of 100 Mile House continues to "play catch-up" as it works to deliver needed infrastructure repairs to the community.
That was the comment made by Mayor Maureen Pinkney during the 2025-2029 financial plan presentation during the Tuesday, April 8 council meeting. The five-year financial plan outlines the district's current budget for this year and the district's projected budget for the next four years.
"Every year, when we pull out $500,000 to fix a small portion, we are going backwards continually. And we're playing catch up," Pinkney said. "Our water and sewer lines are all basically - they were end of life, everything only lasts 50 to 60 years, and that's how old our town is."
She then joked, "happy 60th anniversary, you now have to replace everything under the dirt."
The presentation was given by Sheena Elias, the district's director of finance, who outlined the district's revenue and the projects they have planned for the coming five years. Elias told council that for 2025, the major projects include the replacement of the Horse Lake Bridge, the construction of the Exeter Lift Station and sewage lagoon upgrades, all expected to cost over a million each.
Future projects include a membrane water treatment plant in 2026-27, which is expected to cost around $20-million to complete, and $2-milllion to build a new water tower at 99 Mile between 2027-2029. Elias said the district also plans to update its equipment between 2027-2029 for a cost of $1.612-million and plans to upgrade the Centennial Park washrooms for around $1-million between 2027-2029.
"Upcoming years are estimated based on historical averages, inflation and projected capital costs," Elias noted.
During her presentation Elias broke down the district's revenue noting around 37.4 per cent of revenue came from property/parcel taxes totalling $3-million, 20 per cent from government grants totalling $1.9-million, 19.4 per cent from transfer from others totalling at $1.8 million, 12.8 per cent from utilty user fees totalling $1.18-million, 7.7 percent coming from other forms of revenue totalling $710,470 and 1.9 per cent had been from transfer from other revenues totalling $173.500. In total, for 2025, the District brought in $9,263,765.
As for property taxes, $3,039,235 was collected by the District, with business making up the most of tax collection, being rated at 35 per cent and bringing the district $1,059,531. Residential made up 27 per cent of the collection, bringing the district $825,480, utilities made up 21 per cent, bringing the district $634,726 while major industry brought in $472,785. Light industry made up one per cent of the tax collection ($43,859), while recreation, non-profit and farm taxes were minor sources of tax collection, with a combined total of $2,854.
Transportation services covered the largest expense at $1.695 million, alongside protective services, general planning and government services, followed by general government at $1.415 million, utility operations at $1.230 million, amortization at $1.8 million, and $1.2 million for fiscal services. Expenses totalled $9,263,735 for the District.
"The April 8th Financial Plan presentation was the public consultation. The meeting was advertised, and the presentation was posted on the district website to allow the public opportunity to review and attend the meeting to ask questions," Elias said, who also added that comments are welcomed year-round from residents and property owners, by attending the meeting and asking questions, or by calling the office or by e-mail to selias@100milehouse.com.
Pinkney said that people do not realize that the district puts in capital and not their financial reserves into covering the expenses of sidewalks, as well as water and sewer pipes.
"Municipalities across the country are working against rising costs and aging infrastructure," Elias added in the e-mail correspondence.
However, Pinkney did praise staff for prioritizing what needed to be done, and for allowing for the fact that although accidents do happen, the district could still jump on those things to get fixed.
