By STEPHAN BURNETT, Weyburn Review Editor
Most of the work had been done behind closed doors prior to the submission of the city budget on Monday when councillors decided to increase the 1999 tax rate by 2.5 per cent.
The municipal tax rate was set at 16.3 mills for 1999 which is a .4 mill increase.
"City Council had intended to hold the line on taxes this year but after reviewing the alternatives, it was felt we couldn't cut services any further to balance the budget. The municipal tax increase generates about $78,000. Overall operating costs are increased by 4.5 per cent," said Mayor Schlosser while reading from a prepared text.
The mayor said some of the major budget increases include: a 5.6-per-cent increase in salary for the Weyburn Police Service, at a cost of $69,000; a 7.8-per-cent increase for the fire department budget reflecting wage increases, equipment upgrades and the move to the new firehall, at a cost of close to $27,000; transportation service cost of 7.5 per cent for increased snow removal, increased street repairs and for controlling the spring run off, at a cost of $151,000; and $55,000 in added expense for computer upgrades to address Y2K compliancy.
We need the police and fire department for protection and we need the increase, said Councillor Ray Wahl in his support for the budget.
"We have $385,000 coming out of reserves and a lot of facilities not in good repair," said Councillor Debra Button while lending her endorsement to the budget.
Button also said she did not want the budget message spun.
"I support it but there's one thing I want to clear up," she said. "I hate to leave the idea that the increase is because of wages."
Button added without the wage increases retention of qualified staff would be increasingly difficult.
Through inservices, council and the taxpayers have made an investment in the personnel with the city, said Button.
Councillor Michael Pickering also reluctantly supported the budget.
"But of the $75,000 spent, one third of that will go on the river front study and I caution council on spending $25,000 on studies," said Pickering. Later, members of council clarified the $25,000 being spent on the river front study is 50 cent dollars; $12,500 being paid for by the City and the other half being paid by the Southeast Regional Economic Development Authority.
"The staff needs a decent wage and I make no apologies for that," said Councillor Ray Hamm. "I would rather listen to good guidance than what was told to me by someone on coffee row," said Hamm.
Councillor Marlene Nedelcov said she did not like to see the increase in taxes either, but she argued the City needs the funds.
"I too support the motion," said Councillor Bill Rudachyk. "I generally prefer small gradual increases rather than the gigantic blows which have happened in the past because of downloading," he said.
For a taxpayer with a house in the $70-$75,000 range the increase will equal close to $18.50.
At the beginning of the council meeting a letter was received from the Roman Catholic Separate School Division No. 84 that the school division's mill rate has been increased to 17.5 mills - an increase of one mill.
Council also received a letter from the Weyburn School Division No. 97 that their mill rate has remained unchanged for the year.
The Nickle Lake Regional Park Board had met on April 13. Councillor Wahl said a season pass for the park has been set at $20. Ken and Judy Johnson have been put in place as the new superintendents of the park. The full-service site bookings for the year have increased from $500 a season to $550 a season which equates to a $1-a-day increase, said Wahl. There were also questions asked about whether passes were required for every vehicle owned by one family when a season pass had already been purchased. It was decided to charge $5 a year for extra family vehicles when a regional park pass had already been obtained. At the Parks meeting, RCMP Cpl. Keith Dalton said Nickle Lake would be under strict surveillance this year with the introduction of patrols on the water by the RCMP.
The Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show only has a few remaining booths left for the upcoming conference on June 9-10, said Councillor Button. Laurence Woodard is in charge of filling out a list of nominees for the Oilman of the Year Award.
The Weyburn Arts Council met on April 14, and Councillor Button said she was honoured to cut the ribbon recently for the re-opening of the Signal Hill Arts Centre Shop. Art in the Park was also discussed and Wednesday night was mentioned as the evening for Art in the Park in July, and possibly for August as well. Discussions also took place to change the name of the Prairie Gallery to the Signal Hill Art Gallery which was approved.
Councillor Pickering reported on the Weyburn Board of Police Commissioners. In the last meeting there was concern expressed by a local resident for child safety in the River Park area. There have been numerous complaints regarding birds in the city and the board discussed implementing some humane ways to deal with the problem. Concern was also expressed that on Second Street, across from the Co-op store, a driveway is being blocked and a request was made to paint a yellow line and develop a no-parking zone.
Councillor Nedelcov reported in a joint meeting of the Parks Board and the Tatagwa Parkway that an assessment study has been approved for the river front. The assessment will cost $25,000.
Nedelcov also reported that a new executive has been elected for the Heritage Village. Art Tomlinson is the president, John Leveille is the vice president and the treasurer is Pat Schutz.
Councillor Button announced that she has accepted with regret the resignation of Harold Vanoene from the environmental committee.
Mayor Schlosser reported that the City will enter into an infrastructure agreement with the CAIP program to construct a cement slab at the intersection of Third Street and Highway 39. The mayor also mentioned a new police resource officer may be placed in the Weyburn school system.
Box 400, 904 East Avenue
Weyburn, SK
S4H 2K4
Phone: (306) 842-7487
Fax: (306) 842-0282
E-mail: production@weyburnreview.com
This web page and its contents are copyright of the Weyburn
Review (1987) Ltd.