The 2020 budget has been approved for the Town of Battleford.
The budget, which included a one per cent increase in property tax for residents, was adopted unanimously at Monday’s regular meeting, the final one for council in 2019.
According to Mayor Ames Leslie, there were no material changes to the budget since being first presented at a special meeting Dec. 5 in Battleford.
“I think council had a few questions of clarification, last minute,” said the mayor, but what council deliberated on Dec. 5 “is the one that stood to be approved here today.”
The unanimous approval means the budget is in place before the new year, well ahead of the pace of previous councils.
“It’s been a goal of mine to pass a budget this early,” said Leslie. He was particularly happy to see it completed, so that now the town can get on with the projects for the coming year.
“We’ve got some significant projects coming up in 2020 so I’m excited to see how many we can get done.”
Leslie called the one per cent increase “a reasonable ask within the state of today’s economy.”
There was also no utility increase this year and Leslie added “if things continue to go down the path as they are, there probably won’t be one next year as well.”
