December 24, 2020

MOOSE JAW – Moose Jaw City Council has approved the 2021 Budget and 2021-2025 Capital and Equipment Budgets.

At a special Budget meeting December 21, Council approved a 2.96% property tax increase for 2021, broken down as follows:

• 1.10% – Moose Jaw Police Service
• 1.00% – Parks and Recreation Capital upgrades and projects
• 0.86% – City Projects and Operations

For the average property owner, this amounts to an additional $43.62 per year or $3.64 per month in municipal taxes.

Council also approved a $65 infrastructure levy, a 2% increase to the water rate and 2% increase to the sanitary sewer rate.

“The 2021 Budget balances our need to provide municipal services our residents want, with the economic realities of our current situation,” said Mayor Fraser Tolmie. “We appreciate the hard work of Administration and our new Council to finalize the Budget before Christmas for the second straight year.”

Among projects approved in the 2021 Budget:

• $6.6 million to complete approximately three km under the Water Main Replacement Program.
• Addition of 2^nd Safety Officer to reduce dangerous incidents.
• A one-year pause of Saturday Transit service effective May 1
• Five-year, $2.9 million Sidewalk, Curb and Median Replacement program
• Eight-year Street Sign Replacement Program
• Smart Water Meter Implementation Program
• Funding for the Hillcrest Sports Centre to remain in operation for 2021.
• Additional Parks staffing and equipment to maintain the City’s green spaces.