Portage la Prairie City Council's ended 2015 in the black. The 2015 financial statements were reviewed at this week's council meeting, outlining a $155,800 surplus in the general operating fund, and a small surplus of $1,543 in the utility operating fund. Also included in the report was a list of items and projects that came in under, or above the budgeted amounts by more than $20,000. Councillor and finance committee member Wayne Wall notes the biggest discrepancy between the budget and actual expenditures fell under the replacement of water mains.

Of all the 27 expenditures that were $20,000 or more above or below budget, only two costs came in higher than what was budgeted for. Council reported an increase in the cost for RCMP Service Contracts, coming in $72,118 over budget. Secondary water treatment was also over budget, at an increase of $26,619 over what was forecast. Wall says the remaining 25 items could have come in under budget for a number of reasons.

"Sometimes you budget for things you just can't get done during the year, or prices come in better than expected."

Overall, council's pleased to post a surplus for 2015, and Mayor Irvine Ferris says it marks an ongoing trend for city council.

"It's certainly nice to be in a surplus position as opposed to a deficit position. This often happens, not always to this extent, but it certainly is helpful going forward."

The surplus amounts will be added to their respective reserves.

"The biggest item moving to reservess was 1.2 million dollars in water main renewal projects, and that money has simply been moved forward to next year to do those projects"