Yorkton Council passed a motion at its Committee-of-the-Whole meeting Monday to accept its 2012 Operating Budget as it was presented Dec. 3.
The senior management team had prepared the operating budget within the guidelines as outlined by Council (2.5 per cent capital plus 2.5 per cent operating equals five per cent total tax increase), explained Kaal on Dec. 3.
"A 2.5 per cent tax increase provides $381,000 and all of this is going to maintain infrastructure," said Kaal, adding the operating budget presented includes the following; road maintenance increase of $95,000, inspect, camera and clean storm pipe of $230,000, and replace catch basins of $60,000, for a total of $385.000.
"The total of the additional maintenance equates to a 2.5 per cent tax increase excluding cost increases for all operations. Fortunately with the deletion of tax discounts and other revenue, only $190,000 needs to be funded in order to realize the targeted tax increase."
In terms of added revenue the budget calls for $327,630 in additional tax revenue, crown surcharge revenue and municipal operating grants.
In making the motion to accept the budget Mayor Bob Maloney told Council this Monday "I'm very pleased with these numbers."
While the budget has a tax increase, Maloney said, "I think, as we've done in the past, we've struck a good balance."
Councillor Chris Wyatt was not as pleased with the numbers.
"I believe we could do more internally," he said.
The Council vote was six-to-one in favour of accepting the budget, with Wyatt the dissenting voice.
