As city councillors start to review the proposed budgets for the new year, we're taking a look into the future needs of Moose Jaw with the unfunded budget. Even with a capital budget that is worth $252 million over the next five years, City Manager Matt Noble says $178.7 million worth of work needs to have a funding source identified.

"Capital items that are included in the ten year unfunded plan are not a wish list but rather a compilation of essential projects that require funding." explained Noble.

"These projects are often delayed to future years due to a lack of financial resources."

Noble told councillors that something is going to need to be done in order to address all of the needs in the city, including some support from upper levels of government. That statement has been made almost every year for the last decade as municipalities across the country face similar challenges according to Noble.

Elected officials received their budget documents just before the holiday break and will be studying the numbers as they prepare for budget talks that will start in January. The process starts with the need for a proposed 4% mill rate increase but could go up or down depending on the decisions that council makes.