Moose Jaw Times-Herald: A 2.25 per cent tax increase for cast iron

Budget committee allocates $5.85 million to replacement program

Coun. Heather Eby, who moved the motion to establish
the cast iron water main replacement program allocation
 at $5.85 million in 2015 and to implement a 2.25 per cent
tax increase on an ongoing basis, is pictured as Coun. Brian
Swanson argues to increase that number to $7 million for 2015
at the Jan. 10, 2015 budget committee meeting at city hall.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

Pending final council approval, residents are going to see a big cast iron water main replacement program investment this year.

A portion of a cast iron water main in the City of
Moose Jaw is pictured on Jan. 10, 2015 in city hall
following a water main break by Casino Moose Jaw.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

At Saturday’s daylong budget committee meeting, the committee voted in favour of Coun. Heather Eby’s motion to establish the cast iron water main replacement capital program for 2015 at $5.85 million and to implement a 2.25 per cent tax increase allocated on an ongoing basis toward funding     for the program.

The motion also included direction for the city to present funding options for the long-term through a public consultation process, with phrasing amended by Coun. Patrick Boyle.  The committee also approved authorizing city administration to develop a long-term policy on cast iron water main replacement.

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