The Cote RM council is requesting about 27 per cent more in property taxes in 2017 than had been received last year.
At its meeting of June 14, council approved its 2017 budget which calls for a tax rate of 7.8 mills. Because this year was a reassessment year, the mill rate increase cannot be compared to last year when the rate was 13.
The mill rate is expected to generate $925,440, which is about an increase of 27 per cent over last year when council had received about 753,000 from the property taxes.
Added to the RM’s revenue is about $190,000 from the provincial government’s unconditional (revenue sharing) grant.
In 2016 the RM received $203,100 from the revenue sharing grant, said Sherry Guenther, administrator. The organized hamlet grant was received in June for $5,044, while last year, the OH of Runnymede received $5,896.
The municipality expects to receive $34,500 from gas tax funding for 2017.
Other sources of revenue are obtained from custom work; sale of gravel and RM maps and other services provided through the office. Interest and commission revenue is budgeted at $7,300.
The RM applied for the Beaver Control Program in 2017 through SARM (Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities), Guenther said. There was a compensation of $30 per adult beaver for individuals authorized through the RM. The bounty went back to $10 per beaver on June 14. The RM is eligible for up to $5,500 in claims for this year. SARM reimburses the RM $15 per beaver removed.
The municipality will again apply for the provincial rat eradication program (PREP) this year, she said. In 2016 the RM received $4,300 from the program. The purpose of PREP is to provide financial and human resource assistance to RMs in their efforts to eradicate the rat population in their municipalities. This program is also delivered through SARM.
“We will apply for the channel clearing program again through the Water Security Agency,” she said, adding that in 2016 the RM received $1,600 in the program.
“We have also received $4,500 for the 2017-18 year from Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant Program.
During 2017, council plans to spend about $1,150,620, of which general government expenditures will total $179,000. This is to include legal expenses, wages/benefits, council meeting indemnities, SAMA (Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency), audit costs, memberships, training and travel, utilities, office, meeting and election supplies, stationery, computer software and the printing of maps.
Transportation and maintenance will cost $760,300, which includes yearly supervision indemnities, gravel, wages/benefits, utilities, fuel, maintenance of equipment, beaver bounty payout and the maintenance of infrastructure within the municipality.
Other expenditures include: Parkland Regional Waste Management Association for recycling and waste, $39,000; maintenance of the transfer station, $6,000; policing fees, $27,000; fire agreement with Town of Kamsack, $21,750; Eaglestone Lodge contribution, $5,000; Parkland Library levy $7,400, and Veterinary Services Board, $1,350.
Terry Ivey was elected as a councillor by acclamation in a byelection on May 25 following the death of Councillor Ken Kalmakoff who had served from 1983 to 2000 and from 2012 to March.
Allan Andrews was hired for the position of seasonal mower operator in May.
At the May 11 meeting of council, it was agreed that the following groups have the potential to receive funding totalling $4,500 through the Sask. Lotteries Community Grant program for 2017-2018: Kamsack Powerhouse Museum, $450; Kamsack Horticultural Society, $200; Kamsack Minor Ball, $500; Eaglestone Lodge Auxiliary, $400; Kamsack Team Penners, $350; Togo Figure Skating Club, $1,000; Kamsack Daycare Inc., $200; Kamsack Minor Hockey, $600; Duck Mountain Ski Hill, $600, and Kamsack Public Library, $200.
The RM of Cote accepts the allocation of population from the Village of Togo for this grant program, Guenther explained.
There is a new grain bag recycling facility in the Assiniboine River Watershed, she said. “The centre has a roller and someone will come out to your place to roll and pick up your bags. There is also funding through the Farm Stewardship Program for 50 per cent off the purchase of a grain bag roller.”
This is the last year for funding, she said. “Stop by the RM office in Kamsack for more information.”
