Portage la Prairie City Council's officially passed their 2016 financial plan. It includes a small tax increase, equating to about $16.23 on a home valued at $114,000. Finance Chair Brent Budz presented the document for final readings at last night's council meeting, and says he's overall pleased with what they've accomplished.

"We were very confident we could deliver the services at an affordable measure to the citizens. We've come as a council to believe we need to be competitive, and I think through the lower operating budget increases parlay into our capital plan, and then into our mill rate, we're achieving what we're setting out to do, and that's to be as competitive as possible can as it relates to other peers in our province."

Budz also indicated a decrease in the city's debt at the end of 2016, with the debt dropping to $12.4 million by December 31st. However, the debt may not be that low for long, as council also reviewed their ten year capital plan, which could have the city's debt rising to about $30 million by 2020.

The largest expenditure coming up is the provincially mandated nutrient removal project. It's anticipated to cost a total of $93.3 million, but the project is dependent on funding from other levels of government. However, Budz notes even if the project were to receiving funding from the provincial and federal governments, it would still be what he calls a "historic investment".

"We've run the numbers and we're putting additional funds in the utility reserve, and some of the utility rates we've had to increase address that. You're right though, it's significant dollars, even if we get provincial and federal government (funding), it'll still be required by the city, $30 million is the estimate. Is it viable? well it's something that we're planning for and something our utility can handle."

Another major project included in their ten-year plan is a $10 million investment in the revitalization of infrastructure for Saskatchewan Avenue west. Budz notes that work would not only improve the infrastructure in that area, but also bring the stretch more in line with what's seen east of Eighth Street.

"Would we want to make it look more like the rest of Saskatchewan Avenue? Absolutely. That's the expenditure we're looking at. That's your water and sewer infrastructure and anything else that comes up when you peel up that earth, and then pavement overlay with curbing, medians, et cetera. It's a very significant investment and one, from my chair at least, that's long overdue."

Other projects to come in the next decade include the new Island Park bridge, equipment for the fire hall, and several investments in water and sewer infrastructure.