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The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RWMB) is releasing a $611.6 million proposed budget for 2024 that focuses on advancing Council’s Strategic Plan and public safety while investing in core services, essential programs and projects that benefit communities across the region. The proposed budget is now available online at rmwb.ca/council with deliberations beginning Dec.11.
“The proposed budget reflects our commitment to strong fiscal management and long-term financial sustainability,” says Laurie Farquharson, Chief Financial Officer for the RWMB. “We must focus on the safeguarding and maintenance of public assets, while responsibly delivering programs and investing for the future needs of communities.”
Proposed budget overview
The proposed budget of $611.6 million is comprised of $473.3 million for operations and $138 million to be transferred to reserves for capital. The proposed capital budget is $173.5 million with funding from grants, capital reserves and 2024 revenues. These figures are subject to change as Council reviews and deliberates the proposed budget.
Capital projects highlights
For 2024, proposed capital projects focus on the continuation of major initiatives such as flood mitigation, rural water and sewer servicing and new projects to improve service delivery such as the Public Works North Facility. Maintenance of existing infrastructure such as playgrounds and neighbourhood rehabilitation will continue, in line with this year’s priorities.
Community Investment Program (CIP) now allocated by committee
In September 2023, Council amended the Committees Bylaw and delegated CIP grant approval authority for 2024 to the Community Investment Program Approval Committee (CIPAC). This group has grant approval authority for the Community Sustaining, Community Capital, Community Impact and Games Legacy grants.
The total 2024 CIP grant funding is incorporated into the operating budget deliberations and there will no longer be a designated CIP budget day. Once the budget is approved by Council, CIPAC will review the grants submitted and determine how funds will be allocated in the region.
Follow the budget meetings
Budget meetings are being held in Council Chambers at the Jubilee Centre in Fort McMurray on the following days:
- Dec 11: Operating Budget
- Dec.12: Capital Budget
- Dec.13/14: Additional budget meetings, if required
All meetings will begin at 9 a.m. and can be watched in-person and streamed online on the Municipality’s YouTube channel at rmwb.ca/council.
Budget meetings will also be streamed at rural Municipal offices. Community members are welcome to drop-in during regular business hours to watch the meetings.
Participating as a delegate in the budget meetings
- Community members have an opportunity to make a 5-minute verbal presentation to Council during a 30-minute delegation session at the beginning of each budget meeting.
- Anyone wishing to speak during the operating budget session, which includes the Community Investment Program, must register as a delegate by 12 noon on December 8. For capital budget, the deadline is 12 p.m. on December 11.
- To register, complete the Request to Speak form at rmwb.ca/council email Legislative.Assistants@rmwb.ca or call 780-743-7001.
- Additionally, there is an opportunity to register in person with Legislative Services before the start of each budget meeting.
Learn more about the 2024 Budget and additional resources that are available at rmwb.ca/budget.
For further information or questions, please contact Pulse at 780-743-7000, toll-free 1-800-973-9663.
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