The RM of Woodlands is looking at several major capital projects, and a tax increase in their 2016 budget. Deputy Reeve Ila Buchanan says it was a challenging budget, but should help address the ongoing growth within the municipality, most notably in the town of Woodlands. She says in order to tackle the many projects, they're implementing a tax increase of two per cent.

"That's accomplishing everything we want, without having to give up too many things, whether it's the public works shop that's been in the works for a few years. If needed, we could have put that behind again but there would be heavy equipment that needs to be traded off, so I think we're doing okay. That lagoon expansion in Woodlands is going to be the biggest thing at $1.8 million."

She notes the municipality will be responsible for half of the cost of the project, as the province has allocated $900,000 for the work. Also included in their capital projects is the creation of a new cell for the landfill in Woodlands. The Woodlands projects are necessary, as the community's seen recent growth in the past few years. Buchanan says they've had to cease further development within the town, as their lagoon is at capacity, so this project will help bolster the community's ability to grow.

While a number of necessary projects were one challenge in the budget, a lack of reserves also played a role. Buchanan notes former Councils had not set up reserves to tackle these projects, so council was forced to find other ways to fund the work.

"Maybe there needs to be more reserves set up, especially with the lagoon. That should have been a reserve to save for so many years. When they put that lagoon in they believe it had a 20 to 30 year life-span, and it ended up not even being close. That's indicative of our population growth."

To help create future reserves, Buchanan says they're discussing the possibility of putting fees in place for their landfill. She notes Woodlands residents currently use the site for free, but putting a fee structure in place could help the municipality put money aside for future cells.