News and Media Releases

For Immediate Release
March 20, 2023

SWIFT CURRENT, SK – Swift Current City Council approved the City’s 2023 Municipal Budget on the recommendation of Mayor Al Bridal during a regular meeting of Council, Monday, March 20, 2023.  

The 2023 Budget comes in at $81,563,153 with $71,124,188 making up Operating & Utility Expenses and the remaining $10,438,965 comprising Capital Expenditures. The City of Swift Current is asking taxpayers for a 3.99% property tax increase in 2023.

During his address to the public and Council, Mayor Bridal explained, “… we want to be good stewards… to be true to our values and our word, that your city is indeed, “In Good Hands”, just as we have pledged in our five-year strategic plan. To do that well, we have committed ourselves to a conservative mindset… [which has] resulted in fewer construction projects, focusing instead on maintaining our assets. It has resulted in creative problem solving, leveraging a surplus from one of our higher-performing utilities to get us through this period. It has required us to push a few great ideas just a little further out, make tough decisions and maximize efficiencies wherever possible.”

He added that, like any business, the City of Swift Current is required to cover their bills and labour costs, and he believes it is best to be transparent about those pressures. He spoke about the demands of inflation, the responsibilities of maintaining service levels, and the decision to take on a minimal debt of $1.3 million, due to an emergent water main project.

“We must face financial challenges head-on and prepare with integrity. As we follow the compass of our strategic plan, we have identified goals to advance our community, strengthen economic sustainability and prosperity, enhance City operations and services, and strengthen our people, leadership, and governance. We believe we can continue to make progress toward these goals with a solid, transparent, cautiously prepared budget. In fact, we believe that budgeting this way fulfills the mission itself of our strategic plan- improving, innovating, and fostering VALUE for our community.”

“On behalf of City Council, I would like to recognize the entire community for their contributions toward making Swift Current a great place to live and work,” said Bridal, “and the path forward is positive, with all hands on-deck through the storms of inflation. We can continue to do what needs to be done, without sacrificing the future.”

To view the City of Swift Current’s 2023 Municipal Budget in detail, please visit http://www.swiftcurrent.ca/budget2023.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Rri Branconnier-Bye or Chrissy Carter
Communications & Stakeholder Relations Team
City of Swift Current
comms@swiftcurrent.ca