Murray Wood: Tent cities in public spaces are not OK
Murray Wood says we are being told we have to accept homeless encampments in city parks. Do we, really?
Moose Jaw’s city administration is proposing a 4.75 per cent mill rate increase in the 2023 proposed budget that was released on Monday.
The increase is expected to generate $1.6 million for the city’s operating and capital budgets if approved.
The proposed increase equates to $14.65 per month or $175.80 per year for the average taxpayer.
A budget report will be coming before city council requesting the lowering of recycling fees due to the recent contract that the city entered into for recycling services. The recycling fee reduction equates to a 0.74 per cent decrease in taxes or $11.81 per year for taxpayers.
The proposed budget does not include the municipal tax increase for the Moose Jaw Police Service.
Utility rates are proposed to increase by seven per cent for capital renewal projects, four per cent for waterworks utility rates and three per cent for sanitary sewer rates.
For the average utility customer, this would be an increase of $4.58 per month or $54.96 annually.
City administration is also putting forward a Parks and Recreation Infrastructure Levy of $100 per taxable property for 2023 and future years. The levy will go towards funding Parks and Recreation capital projects including a new outdoor pool.
There is also a recommendation to have $1.6 million from the Traffic Safety Reserve transferred to the General Capital Reserve Capital Budget for 2023 to fund paving projects.
Finally, it’s proposed that the 16th Avenue feeder main project be designated as the City of Moose Jaw’s 2023 Municipal Gas Tax-funded program.
