Carnie's Comments

Officially, it's the "proposed 2021 budget" from the City of Moose Jaw.  So, discussion and debate are next.

City administration has tabled a plan that includes a 2.87% municipal tax increase, a 1.18% increase for the police service and an extra $35.00 per year for the infrastructure levy which funds our cast iron watermain replacement program.

The City of Moose Jaw's news release tells me for "the average municipal property tax bill this amounts to $7.90 per month" or "$94.80 annually."  That doesn't sound too bad, does it?

Wait, there's more.  How about a 6.0% increase for the waterworks utility rate and 5.0% more for the sanitary sewer utility rate?  On average, that's another $77.28 a year.

If the local economy hadn't been battered by this pandemic, I might not be opposed but, all things considered, I don't think our community can handle these increases.  In fact, after much consideration, I might call the proposals preposterous.

I hope the councilors I voted for feel the same way.