Montcalm issues financial plan
Advertisement
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/03/2017 (2589 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The RM of Montcalm’s 2017 financial plan has received its public hearing and unanimous first reading. CAO Jolene Bird said consistency and long-term planning were two guiding priorities for councillors and administrators.
“The RM of Montcalm is really focused on being a lot more proactive than reactive,” she explained.
As a result, the LUD of St. Jean Baptiste will be bolstering its reserve fund for larger capital works projects in the coming decade, while the municipality as a whole has developed a 20-year plan for larger public works equipment purchases.
On the property tax front, residents of the LUD of St Jean Baptiste will see an increase of 1.5 mills. The rural areas of St Jean Baptiste, St Joseph, and Letellier will receive smaller increases of 0.3 to 0.5 mills.
Changes in fire and emergency services funding were also rolled out. Less of the cost for these services will now be funded through the general mill rate, allowing for costs to be applied through a $128 fee to more properties with structures on them.
The municipality also intends to buy and repurpose a building for the St Jean Baptiste fire hall, as the current building is too small. It has budgeted $125,000 for the purchase.
Mill rate increases in the Border Land and Red River Valley school division have also impacted Montcalm’s financial plan. Bird estimated an average Letellier family will see a $188 increase in school taxes this year, while a typical St Jean Baptiste family will pay $77 more.
The RM of Montcalm is also seeking to borrow $1.1 million on a 15-year term to create a new lagoon in St Jean Baptiste. The existing lagoon cannot be expanded due to its proximity to the Red River.
Construction costs for the project have been estimated at $3.5 million and are contingent upon authorization from the province’s Municipal Board and the approval of $2.3 million in requested government funding. Bird is hopeful that the RM will receive a response in the coming weeks.