Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Council finalizes capital budget, including tax increase

The majority of council votes in favour of a two per
cent tax increase with one per cent going to cast
iron water main replacements on an ongoing basis
and the other one per cent going to roadways and
 sidewalks, divided 75 per cent and 25 per cent
respectively at the Feb. 24, 2014 meeting.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


After more than an hour of debate, the 2014-2018 capital budget was passed on Monday night.

Discussions included the revote on the proposed two per cent tax increase with one per cent going to cast iron water main replacements on an ongoing basis and the other one per cent going to roadways and sidewalks, divided 75 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.

“It certainly is an underfunded area. My problem with this motion is that one per cent increase, which would be about $220,000, is a drop in the bucket for what’s required, probably about a tenth of what is required,” said Coun. Brian Swanson. “What we have underneath the streets is a very serious problem that has been on the radar now for a while, but in the capital plan it’s not reflected to the magnitude it needs to be.”

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