The Municipality of Glenella-Lansdowne created their budget for the year. Reeve Richard Funk describes it as very flat and stand pat.

"We had a very flat budget. We didn't increase any of the costs, but we do have to consider inflation, and going forward we had to raise municipal taxes 3% -- actually 2.99%. Along with school taxes, and this being a reassessment year, 3% will cover the tab."

Funk says the slight rise in taxes in consideration of certain circumstances leaves them quite pleased.

"We're very pleased and happy with only 3% when you consider this is reassessment year, and land prices have been going up. That's what the assessment branch uses -- the former sales -- to assess that. But at the end of the day, we only tax what we use for money. So, we're able to keep it at 3%. Thereby, going forward, we're not following the public. If we don't increase it, and we carry on that way, someday somewhere somebody has to pay for it. So, it's better to stay current than to kid ourselves and not increase when it's required. That's why we went a 3% increase to keep up with inflation."

He notes they didn't have any large priorities other than keeping their machinery up and going, and keeping it current. Funk says they're watching the inflation of fuel prices. He notes fuel prices were very high a couple of years ago and then came down again, saving them a lot of money through those years. But now fuel prices are just on the edge of the chance of rising somewhat, and they have to be very cognizant of that. Other than that, he adds, they have their contract with their employees that's on a three year agreement. So, they're good for a couple of years there. Funk says prices will change somewhat with issues like the marginal price of gravel increasing.

Funk adds, "We're very much just a stand pat budget, except we can't ignore the fact of inflation and a little increase of costs going forward. And that's the only increase we have. So, we're feeling really satisfied with that kind of a budget. Our taxes in some areas last year went down -- not all. And this year they're going to go up just a wee bit. So, we're quite pleased with that. There's no big increase, and everybody should be able to carry on with the budget they planned, and there'll be no surprises when our taxes come due in the fall."