February 19th, 2022
Schmidt said that due to SAMA’s re-evaluation in 2021 to offset the increases, the RM adjusted the mill rate resulting in a net-zero tax increase. “We are trying to keep the taxes down and reasonable.”
Schmidt said that the RM needs to upgrade big-ticket items such as the ageing equipment – adding a new tractor, a new semi, and a new grader in the future. “When it comes down to the costs in an RM, it’s the salaries, it’s the infrastructure, maintenance and infrastructure replacement…the cost of road maintenance has really gone up.”
He added that the RM has held one budget meeting so far and is looking for ideas and is listening. “We are finding that it’s something that will probably be needed in terms of an increase in taxes.” He said the RM had put away some reserves, which would help but wouldn’t pay for everything.
Schmidt said they would try to delay an increase but didn’t want to be caught with a breakdown in the middle of a season. Schmidt added the RM is responsible for a 1.5 million loan, including interest for the lagoon.
In the past year, the RM has increased its spending. They added a new Full-time foreman position to provide back up to the Public Works Manager, and have increased administrative services such as a new communications system “all-net connect” and are now going to be adding new software called “service tracker” from all-net.
The Reeve stated that the RM’s commercial revenue stream is very low and stated he believed it to be the lowest in the Province.
Schmidt acknowledged the drought had affected many people’s bottom lines as the RM considers taxation. “We are reviewing all expenses. We are reviewing all scenarios for budgetary work, then coming up with some kind of plan for taxation that will not be hard on all the residents.”
Schmidt said that the council would discuss the items in future meetings.
“We are grabbing every penny we can get to repair roads or help with equipment costs,” councillor Don Whitrow added. He said the RM is trying to access as many grants as possible to alleviate costs. He said he felt they had done a good job picking up grants they didn’t realize they had access to over the last year and a half.
Whitrow also added that the RM needs a new shop in the future and has built up a substantial reserve fund for that project. Schmidt noted that while there is money there for the project, it wouldn’t be enough to cover it.McKillop signalling a likely tax increase on the horizon.
Jennifer Argue, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Note: These reports are abridged for content
