Infrastructure projects will help drive a property tax increase of about 3.81 per cent in 2019, which will be about a $50 increase in the year’s tax bill for an average home-owner.
City council approved the 2019 budget of $35.7 million at Monday’s meeting after Laura Missal, director of finance for the City of Weyburn, gave a presentation on the proposed spending.
The budget includes $26.6 million as the operating budget, including utilities, and $9.1 million is the capital budget.
“I’m going to support this. There’s a bit of an infrastructure gap that we’re filling. I think this is a great budget,” said Coun. Jeff Richards. “I hate to see taxes go up, but sometimes it’s necessary.”
The question was raised about why taxes are going up, said Coun. Winston Bailey, who chaired the council meeting in the absence of Mayor Marcel Roy.
“I had people come to me and say with house prices going down and with the economy down, how do you expect us to absorb more taxation?” he said, going on to provide the answer. “We still have more work to do, improvements we need to get done, and the services that we all expect to be there costs money.”
He also pointed out that new contracts with CUPE city workers and with the fire fighters were agreed on signed, which is also reflected in this budget.
“I’m very pleased with what we’re seeing here. There are some big projects again this year, and once they’re done, they’re gone,” said Coun. Bailey. “And there are others waiting in the wings to be done.”
The budget includes providing administration with an IT server upgrade, plus the city pension will be transferred to the Municipal Employees Pension Plan, a grant of $10,000 will be given to the Nickle Lake Regional Park board, an asbestos study will be carried out on all city buildings, and a grant of $13,000 was obtained for the Weyburn Care-A-Van’s operating expenses.
The Weyburn Police Service will be purchasing a new patrol vehicle, there will be a new position, and there will be upgrades to the interior rain water leaders on the police station building. The Fire Department will be replacing ground radios.
For the Leisure Services and facilities department, the outdoor pool liner will be replaced, the proposed construction of the Weyburn Recreation and Culture Centre is to start this year, the City will provide funding of $370,125 to Southeast Regional Library, and they will also provide funding to the Weyburn Public Library for their operations and facility. In addition, the city provides Sask Lottery funding to local organizations, and the city will continue planning for the proposed fleet storage facility which will replace the roundhouse facility in the Public Works yard.
For a complete picture on the budget for 2019, see the Jan. 16 issue of the Weyburn Review.
