The Municipality of Westlake-Gladstone's given first reading to their 2016 budget, and it includes an increase in spending of less than 1%. Mayor David Single says they've only increased at large expenditures by less than $20,000. While Single says they've increased spending for graveling by about $250,000, they also saw significant savings in other areas.

"We were able to put the gravel up that much because we had a decrease in general government services-- which is office expenses and wages, and insurance-- of over $150,000. That's good and it allowed us to spend more on gravel."

It's the municipality's second budget since the amalgamation of Westbourne, Lakeview, and Gladstone, and Single says this budget's definitely more on track, as they adjust to the transition.

"With amalgamation last year was just kind of a trial year. I think we did pretty good, came out pretty close to what we budgeted but in particular areas it was different, some higher some lower. Now we're able to know better what they are."

Single says Westlake-Gladstone faced challenges similar to those across the province when creating the budget. The last reassessment saw a major shift, with large increases in the value of farmland, leading to producers taking on more of the tax burden.

"What this means is really hard to tell because it's a year of reassessment. Farmland in particular went up a lot more than residential, so there will be a shift to farmland being taxed more than residential. It's impossible to say how it would impact everyone individually. It depends on how much their assessment went up."

Tuesday's meeting saw the municipality hold a public hearing prior to giving the document first reading. While Single says no one attended, he expects feedback to be coming in soon.

"I would expect to hear for farmers, and I wouldn't blame them. They're definitely going to be paying more and it's because of the change in assessment."

Single notes some of the projects included in the 2016 budget are asphalting and pothole repair in Gladstone, sidewalk work, and --if they receive government funding-- bridge work.