The RM of Cartier's 2016 budget has been passed. The 2016 financial plan and budget went through second and third reading at yesterday morning's council meeting. Reeve Dale Fossay says while they're overall comfortable with their budget, they'll see a major shift in taxation. While the owner of a 160 acre farm could see an increase of more than $1,000, those in the urban areas could actually be paying less.

"We certainly appreciate there are going to be some concerns raised when the tax notices go out. There's been a major shift to support from farmland for the municipality's revenue. To be fair, in the past residential and businesses have seen spikes in their assessment, so it's ebb and flow, and a little bit of a catch up on the part of farmland."

The 2016 budget also includes some of the major capital projects for the next year. The two highest-cost projects are $1.5 million for Elie lagoon repairs, and just over $433,000 for Elie water main replacement. However, Fossay notes those projects are dependent on funding from other levels of government.

"One our wish-list, should we get government support, we have the lagoon in Elie that still needs repair work as an older project, and as always we wish to expand our water line network."

First reading was given to the budget last week following a public hearing, which saw no members of the public in attendance. Fossay says they have yet to hear any feedback, but says with minutes from the financial plan hearing now online they expect to hear from some residents in the near future.