Neepawa's Council has given first reading to their 2016 budget and financial plan. They presented the document at this week's meeting, outlining $12.7 million dollars in expenditures, and increase of almost $3 million from last year. Mayor Adrian de Groot notes it was a challenging budget, as the total assessments increased by approximately 12 per cent. As a result, they've decreased their mill rate by about seven per cent.

"Some people are going to see a slight increase, and some people are going to see a slight decrease, actually. It's not the same, it depends on that reassessment. With the way we went with this particular budget, it certainly, in my opinion, is the most responsible way to do that, especially with a 12 per cent increase in assessment." 

Adrian de Groot

This year's budget includes no shortage of projects, including the force-main water and sewer project on the west side of town, redevelopment of the former CN property, and the construction of the $1.3 million fire hall. While capital purchases account for well over $2 million of their expenditures, de Groot says they're not putting the full burden on tax payers, as they intend to use some of the funds put aside in reserves.

"The situation right now is there are a number of things we need to do, and we need to start working on them this year. We started some last year, and we have to do it. We can't just pass that all off on the tax payers. So we're drawing down some of our reserves, that money in the bank, and saying 'Christmas is good this year because we have some dollars in that bank'.

De Groot admits the changes to tax bills can be rather difficult to figure out, especially if you hope to know what your tax bill will be well before it's due. He notes their administration has developed a tool, that will allow you to calculate that number as long as you're aware of your current assessment.

"What they've done is basically put in a spreadsheet, the ability to calculate it. It will also show you the difference between 2015 and 2016, you just need to punch in your assessment figures. It's kind of cool."

He says the budget follows their new strategic plan, where council used the plan to provide an overall direction, with the intention of using their financial plans to support the document.