The City of Humboldt’s proposed 2021 City Budget was presented to City Council in two Special Meetings of Council held on Monday, December 7, 2020, and Tuesday, December 8, 2020. After a little more than five hours of deliberations, Council largely endorsed the budget proposed by Administration, making only one minor change by adding funding to the area of Urban Beautification with the intent of re-activating a “Communities In Bloom” committee.
Mayor Michael Behiel stated, “The positive momentum that the City has been on is continuing, even though this past year has had many challenges. After careful consideration, and hard work by Administration and Council, we are able to maintain a balance of the services that the City provides without sacrificing programs or placing a burden on taxpayers. For 2021, we’re actually doing capital purchases and infrastructure repairs for $3.15 million, which is fantastic.”
“I am very pleased that Council supported the effort that all of Administration put into preparing this 2021 budget,” said Joe Day, City Manager. “Keeping the tax rate increase for the City of Humboldt to be approximately 1.8% and by recommending no increases in utility rates at this time are significant decisions by Council to support both the residents and businesses in Humboldt during this difficult time.”
Administration and Council have kept tax increases in the 2% range for a fourth consecutive year which, when compared to other cities in the province, is on the lower end of the scale. With the uncertainty of COVID-19 and potential impacts on activities in 2021, Council decided to make no significant changes to the City’s budget for these unknowns now, but with an expectation that Administration will bring recommendations to Council at the time when the City must respond to the Public Health orders.
Debt servicing payments continue to decrease at a significant rate which is notable as the City continues to plan to use these operational saving for its portion of the funding required for the Wastewater Lagoon project.
The largest capital project approved is to spend $1.635 million to replace the watermains and the roadway on 16th Street in 2021. The list of Capital projects for Public Works includes a small amount of other water main replacements, as well as other road work, and some equipment purchases.
Most capital projects planned for 2021 will be funded from the City’s reserves that are replenished each year from operational revenues. Three capital projects which will be funded from money received for the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program in 2020. They are the Outdoor Rink and Multi-Sport Court Facility, Glenn Hall Park Irrigation Conversion, and a Turning Lane at the 8th Avenue and 21st Street intersection.
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