The Yorkton Chamber of Commerce held its annual general meeting Friday, followed by a State-of-the-City presentation by Mayor James Wilson.
Wilson said he recognizes the importance of telling the story of Council to groups such as the Chamber.
"As Council we know we need to communicate," he said, calling such presentations an opportunity to " tell the story, but also to listen."
Wilson said ultimately everything Council does, "the key thing why we do what we do it all for is the people."
In looking back on 2010 Wilson said the July 1, flood "seemed to be the height of discussion out there."
The flood was however not the only thing which happened in the city last year, and most of what did occur was positive for the community, offered Wilson.
For example the City was able to come to an agreement with the Rural Municipality of Wallace to bring a half-section of land into the city, land a private developer wanted city services for before undertaking the project.
"It was vital that we bring that two quarters if land into the city," he said, adding the City welcomes private developers and is willing to work with them.
It was also a year of major openings in Yorkton through 2010, including Richardson Oilseeds in the neighbouring RM, and LDM Foods in the city. The two major canola crushing plants have created jobs and economic activity in the city, said Wilson.
In the case of LDM, the Mayor said with its opening "we were put on the map." He explained the City met with a delegation from Korea who picked Yorkton based on Mitsui being involved in the LDM project. "The name holds high regard in Asia," said Wilson.
Wilson said to help facilitate the canola plants the City installed new water and sewer lines, which he added are "not just for the canola plants of today, but industrial development of tomorrow."
In terms of attracting industrial and other business Wilson said Council had struck a new Economic Development Commission. He said they have installed "people who have invested in this community Who understand what it takes to develop a business."
Potash may also spur local development as companies such as Mosaic, Agrium and BHP Billington are involved in mine exploration in the area.
Wilson said it is important people in the exploration areas be willing to negotiate for their mineral rights, if the hold them.
"If they're not willing to work with the developer of a mine it could stymie development of a mine," he said.
Wilson said it may be a case where the province needs to institute expropriation policy for mineral rights to facilitate development which is deemed for the greater good.
Municipal development has also moved forward with the new fire hall and water treatment plants being completed last year, both "on time, on budget," said Wilson.
Wilson said he was also pleased Yorkton Council could pass its 2011 budget last October. He said the early date is good in terms of planning, and in accessing more interest in tenders.
One reason for the early passage is the province tieing its revenue sharing Municipal Operations Grant to a percentage of the provincial sales tax.
"It gives us a predictable number, knowing what we're going to receive from the revenue sharing part of the provincial budget," he said. "It allows us a predictable budget without waiting for the provincial government."
In terms of city budgets, Wilson said they have been trying to work on increases around that of the rate of inflation.
He added the 3.4 per cent increase in 2010, and 2.4 per cent this year is "the lowest tax increase in the province."
