The City of North Battleford isn't looking for any additional funding following the release of the provincial budget.
Mayor Ian Hamilton said there were "no particular surprises in the budget as it relates directly to municipal affairs."
Premier Brad Wall had spoken at SUMA in February and indicated there wouldn't be much change in the grant structure, said Hamilton. So there wasn't likely to be announcements regarding any capital programs for the municipalities in the coming year, he noted.
"We're not to be expectant of anything coming our way at this point in time," said the mayor.
Also not a surprise, though welcomed by Hamilton, was that the budget "formalizes support for the construction of the new Saskatchewan Hospital." Hamilton added he "was very expectant of that anyway."
The budget set aside $5 million for detailed design for the new hospital this year. Hamilton is hoping to see construction go ahead in 2013, which he expects will mean "a lot of jobs" in the area.
He is also pleased with the government's decision to offer a 10-year corporate rebate of income tax for up to 10 per cent of expected income from new rental housing units.
"We see some potential in that," said Hamilton, who would be welcoming of that initiative if it results in more rental units being constructed in North Battleford.
One disappointing aspect for Hamilton was the province's decision to pull out of funding for Enterprise Saskatchewan and the enterprise regions.
However, Hamilton notes even that wasn't a total surprise, as "there were some messages out there that seemed to indicate that was being considered."
As to how it will impact on the City's relationship and activities in economic development in the Battlefords, Hamilton says they haven't been able to assess that as of yet. "We'll have to deal with that as that evolves," said Hamilton.
