The Municipality of North Norfolk's budget aims to progress the amalgamation process, while also providing some relief for the major shift in provincial assessments. Councillors held a special meeting last week to discuss the budget, which includes several major projects such as campground upgrades, support for the new medical clinic, and the biggest expenditure; the construction of a new public works building. Reeve Craig Spencer says they're overall pleased with the budget, but notes the municipality wasn't without the major tax shift seen across Manitoba.

"We've got all those things on the go, and we have all those things in the budget while remaining very fiscally responsible. As with all other municipalities I've seen reports on on PortageOnline, this is an assessment year, and due to that assessment farmland prices have increased."

While the budget lowers the mill rates across the municipality, Spencer says it was done in a way to bring the Treherne and former RM of South Norfolk rates closer together, with the goal of eventually having a single mill rate for the whole municipality. Due to that process, Spencer notes citizens in the areas will notice different adjustments in their tax bills.

"We had to make this adjustment, being our second year of amalgamation, and we're slowly making this adjustment so it's equal for everyone in a year or two. This particular year, there's a little bit of a cost-saving for residents in Treherne, and the former South Norfolk area will see a little bit of a bump in their taxes."

Spencer notes last week's public hearing didn't see members of the public come out, and they have yet to hear feedback on the budget. However, he says it likely won't be long before residents take notice.

"To be fair, rate payers won't have paid much attention to it at this point. When the tax notices go out, I'm sure they'll pay more attention to it at that point in time."