Neepawa to announce new budget

Details

Published on Thursday, April 14, 2016

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

The Town of Neepawa is ready to unveil details of its 2016 financial plan. A public meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, Apr. 19 at 6:00 pm to review the document and its spending priorities.

Mayor Adrian de Groot said council and administration have been working very hard on the budget and noted that it contains priorities that go well beyond 2016.

“This serves, in a way, as a mid-term budget for this council.  We feel it sets the tone, not just for the year ahead, but for the next decade and beyond,” said de Groot. “Within the financial plan, there are a number of initiatives that have a significant impact on the future of the community that are addressed, while also being responsible with its spending.”

De Groot stressed, however, that just because the blueprint of the budget has been formalized, it doesn’t mean that it’s too late for the community to bring new ideas forward or lobby for additional support for others.

“This budget has been shaped by discussions driven by the community. Through many gathering and deliberations with ratepayers, council and administration have been able to put this document together from idea, to dialogue, to execution.  But that doesn’t mean that our work is done. [Neepawa taxpayers] still have the chance to help shape the spending priorities. This meeting is simply the public’s first chance to see the results,” stressed de Groot.

In 2015, Town Council allocated $6,718,130.27 to the general operating fund and $3,078,319.65 to its utility operating fund. It also revealed its five year capital plan, which focused on spending on public works equipment, a new fire hall, water and sewer renewals, lagoon upgrades and the improvements to the RCMP building.

The Tuesday, Apr. 19 meeting has been scheduled at the Town Office for 6:00 pm.