Olds residents are apparently feeling a little road rage-y.
Fixing infrastructure, especially crumbling and cracked roads, was a top budget priority for many of the 379 Olds residents who filled out a budget survey.
On Wednesday, the town shared its key findings from the survey conducted May 27 to July 4.
"Roads are a significant concern," says the town in a news release. "Citizens would like to see more funding allocated to this area and more effective and efficient repairs completed."
When asked where the town should allocate more money, 215 respondents said infrastructure, followed by parks and recreation, chosen by 155. RCMP came next with 116 votes followed by economic development with 115.
Among the 40 comments gathered under Budget Priorities, a dozen singled out roads.
"The potholes around town are getting pretty terrible," wrote one.
"Roads need repair. I have had three flats on my street alone from potholes," offered another.
Another key finding was that many residents and business owners feel they are paying higher taxes but getting fewer services.
"More work needs to be done around communicating how property taxes are spent and the growing demands being placed on town operations through inflation and provincial funding reductions and downloading."
Olds chief administrative officer Brent Williams presented a report in May outlining how government downloading and cutbacks was squeezing town budgets.
The report shows over the last two years, the town lost about $2.2 million in provincial capital grants compared to previous years. Between 2014 and 2021, funding had averaged $2.1 million annually. In 2022 and 2023 funding was $1.1 million each year.
Tens of thousands of dollars in other revenues have also been lost at the same time other costs have been added.
When asked where council should be cutting or reducing services, cultural and arts programs were singled out by 194 respondents, more than double the next most popular choice, bylaw enforcement, which received 86 votes. Other, social services, economic development, parks and recreation, RCMP, fire services, and in last place with 11 votes, infrastructure, rounded out the list.
On economic development, 225 votes or 64 per cent of respondents said the key strategy should be business retention. 161 chose Uptowne Olds sustainability and revitalization.
The best way the town can attract more housing is cutting red tape and reducing other barriers said 196 or 59 per cent of respondents.
Other questions asked where the town's municipal enforcement should focus its attention. Unsightly premises was the number one choice by 58 per cent or 211 votes. Traffic safety and speeding was next most popular choice with 200 votes.
When asked what amenities and recreation services should be prioritized, green spaces, including parks, trails and playgrounds was, by far the number one choice with 272 votes.
When asked what aspect of the community is most in need of further funding and support, child and youth services programs was a clear first choice with 68 per cent – 235 votes – picking that first.
