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Town of Athabasca to hold open house on 2023 budgets

Residents invited to attend Feb. 22 event at Athabasca Regional Multiplex
ATH Budget open house
Athabasca mayor Rob Balay discusses the increase in water rates at an open house at the Multiplex on Feb. 23, 2022. The town will once again be holding an open house on the proposed operating and capital budgets in late February.

For the second year in a row, Town of Athabasca residents will have the opportunity to ask councillors questions about the municipality’s 2023 operating and capital budgets during a community open house. 

During their Jan. 24 meeting, town councillors passed a motion to host the open house on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Athabasca Regional Multiplex. 

Mayor Robert Balay said that, after not doing it for several years, town council once again opted in 2022 to hold an open house so that residents could ask questions about the two budgets. 

“This council decided they wanted to be more transparent and communicate as much as possible,” he said. “And we’ve committed to doing that again,” 

Balay said last year’s open house went very well, with over 30 people in attendance. 

During the Jan. 24 meeting, Balay said he will be working closely with administration on some talking points for the event, which he noted will be very similar in format to last year. 

"I think it will be great for all of council to attend if possible,” he said. 

Other councillors expressed concern over a potential conflict with the Athabasca and District Chamber of Commerce, which is also holding its annual general meeting on Feb. 22. 

After some debate around shifting the debate, council opted to stick with the originally recommended date and time.

Kevin Berger, TownandCountryToday.com

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