M.D. of Taber exploring firewood costs in budget talks

Budget implications in regard to firewood at parks within the Municipal District of Taber are going to be a talking point heading into budget season.

M.D. administration brought forward a memo detailing the costs associated with providing campers firewood for no charge to council’s regular meeting held on Oct. 13.

“Agricultural Service Board (has) been providing firewood for all the campgrounds within the municipality for years. A large cost associated with our campground is the cost of providing firewood at no cost to the tenants of parks around the M.D. of Taber,” reads the memo. “Last budget season saw an increase of $10 per night to the camping rates at the M.D. of Taber campground in lieu of charging for the firewood used within the park. There were many other parks left out of this price increase. Some under our control, some not under our control. It would be good to add other parks that utilize this great resource into the firewood discussion this budget season.”

Administration’s recommendation for council was to consider invoicing the local parks for a percentage of the cost of firewood with the rest being a grant from the M.D. to the park.

Based on $8 bundles of firewood, administration estimated costs for each park as follows: Enchant Park 37,120 cubic feet ($296,960), M.D. Park 30,080 cubic feet ($240,640), Vauxhall Lions Park 1,408 cubic feet ($11,264), Hays 896 cubic feet ($7,168), Grassy Lake 768 cubic feet ($6,144) and Taber Kiwanis Park at Chin Lake 256 cubic feet ($2,048).

A three year average of wood consumed at parks would then equal $564,222 and wood is cut between December and March while work ing in the ditch and fence line of M.D. right of ways, with the amount of wood varying year to year.

“You see some fairly dramatic numbers. These are numbers we have used based on the last three years,” added Jason Bullock, director of agricultural services. “We’re trying to balance our budget lines between parks and rec and ag service board.”

It was also pointed out the amount of firewood needed for each park would likely decrease if campers were required to pay.

“The consumption of firewood, if it was actually charged for, I don’t believe it wouldn’t be the same usage because people who back their truck up to the pile right now and fill their half-ton up and take it back to their camp spot would not consume a half-ton full in an evening if they have to pay for it,” continued Bullock.