The operating budget was approved at a regular meeting in June. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

budget approved

La Ronge councillors expect healthy surplus in 2019

Jul 9, 2019 | 12:05 PM

Although the mill rate hasn’t yet been set for 2019, La Ronge Council is expecting a nearly $630,000 surplus after capital and operating expenses.

That’s according to a budget summary provided to larongeNOW, which includes details such as preliminary revenue and expenses. With $14,774,000 forecasted in revenue overall, the vast majority of the surplus comes from administration which includes taxes. Council expects to pay more than $1.1 million in administrative costs, but bring in nearly $4.1 million in revenue.

“The bottom line is council felt our taxes in the community are high enough for the services we provide,” La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich said. “There are normal cost increases. As we know, there is a greater cost to fuel because of the lovely new tax our government put on. That’s going to impact some of the items. As staff are around for longer and longer, people expect a raise.”

Woytowich also stated council didn’t feel the need to adjust commercial or residential tax rates like what occurred with the 2018 tax levy. Last year, commercial taxes were reduced at the expense of a rise in residential rates. Woytowich noted this change was meant to be beneficial to business owners, adding it was meant to serve as an incentive to lure more companies to the community.

“Council decided a year ago to even it out a little bit and hopefully it will work,” he said.

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While the operating budget was only approved at council’s latest regular meeting in June, the capital budget was approved back in May and included the long-planned-for public works shop at $2.1 million, followed by the potential replacement of the Mel Hegland Uniplex roof at $1.6 million, along with $160,000 for a dehumidifier in the facility.

“The other big one is the sewer lines have to be inspected throughout the town to make sure they are going to hold,” Woytowich said. “That’s part of the budget this year as well. The work is supposedly being done July and August.”

It’s unknown when the mill rate will be set, but it could occur at the next regular meeting July 17.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno