Released January 13, 2020
WEYBURN – On Monday, Weyburn City Council finalized decisions for the 2020 municipal budget, including a proposed property tax increase of 3.90 per cent on residential and condominiums and 2.9 per cent on all other classes, resulting in an overall increase in taxes of 3.52%.
“The proposed increase is a result of upcoming infrastructure projects that Council believes are important to our community while maintaining essential civic services,” said Laura Missal, Director of Finance.
The increase comes after deliberations in fall of 2019, where City Council directed administration to target a tax increase between three to four per cent as the hospital levy was being reduced by $100 to $40 per residence.
For a homeowner with a property assessment value of $300,000, with the municipal portion of the 3.90 per cent increase and a decrease in hospital levy of $100, the property taxes equates to a reduction in taxes of $4.34 per month or $52.12 for the year.
“The reduction in hospital levy will result in the majority of the residential and condominium class seeing a reduction in their taxes in 2020. The municipal increase still keeps Weyburn below the provincial average but allows us to move forward with important projects,” added Missal.
2020 Operating and Capital Budget Totals
• $ 43.4 million: Total 2020 budget (including utilities, operating and capital)
• $ 24.7 million: Total operating budget (including utilities)
• $ 18.7 million: Total capital budget (including utilities)
Investment Highlights
• $ 4.4 million: Total payments out of Reserves
• Construction of Weyburn Recreation & Culture Centre (WRCC)
• Construction of a Fleet Storage Facility
• Installation of New City Entrance Signs
• Riverfront Road paving
• Watermain replacement on 1st Avenue SE
• Upgrades to Lift Station 3
• Phase 2 of Landfill upgrade: Leachate, Storm Water, Retention and Hydrovac Waste Infrastructure
Administration continues to meet its goals of providing growth and sustainability through a balanced budget while maintaining a high level of service to the City of Weyburn rate payers.
City council will continue to inform and educate citizens and community stakeholders about budget processes, and encourages citizens to provide their input into services throughout the year.
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