Those in the Municipality of West-Interlake are going to have to wait a little bit longer to see the 2016 municipal budget. For the second year, the budget process has seen delays, with last year's budget passed in early August. Reeve Randy Helgason says while they anticipated they'd be able to present a budget early this month, it just wasn't feasible. He says they'd rather put a budget forward that's correct, than simply put something forward for the sake of presenting a budget. 

Reeve Randy Helgason

"There's been a few snags since then. They've come out with a new form for budget control, so that's adding to our plight. Also, the amalgamation makes it a little more difficult."

He notes the former RM of Siglunes had a tax rate for the L.U.D, one for at-large, and one for rural, while Eriksdale had a single rate for the whole municipality. He says factoring all of the financial information in the general ledger has proved difficult, and they're working with the province to try and complete the document. Helgason says even if the budget were completed today, they'd still have to wait before it could be officially passed.

"Once we're done and have the numbers in place, we have to give two weeks notice before the public hearing. I'm really hoping by the middle of September we have it done."

Under the Municipal Act, municipalities are supposed to file a copy of the financial plan with the finance minister no later than May 15. However, because West-Interlake's working with Indigenous and Municipal Relations they've been able to extend the deadline.