Three strategic priorities were considered for the upcoming year during council’s study session this past weekend.
The priorities considered were:
• Open and transparent communication;
• Long range planning for both the continued growth of the city and for recreation and culture initiatives; and
• Infrastructure renewal and maintenance.
These were developed with formal consideration and adoption scheduled for an upcoming council meeting.
“Council has made long range planning a major platform from which we look at each project,” said Mayor Chris Goertzen. “We believe that we need to be building and maintaining infrastructure with the long term consequences in mind. These initiatives are recognized as major projects and are integral to keeping our city progressive and operating efficiently.”
2010 will be a busy year for Steinbach with a number of projects being proposed, including the expansion of the city’s lagoon at a cost of $10.5 million; the expansion of the Steinbach Landfill at a cost of $2.75 million; and the expansion and renovation of the Jake Epp Public Library at a cost of $2.85 million.
The expansion planned for Steinbach’s lagoon was developed to meet Manitoba’s environmental requirements and to provide service for a population of just over 20,000 people.
Steinbach’s Landfill expansion involves the decommissioning of the old landfill site and the development of a new site on the same lot. Waste diversion programs that will benefit from the expansion include wood chipping, composting, and metal, tires, used oil, and white goods diversion and recycling programs.
A 10,000 square foot addition is being recommended as the long-term solution to the library’s issues of accessibility and overcrowded shelves. The plans will be developed and a public hearing will be scheduled as early as February 2010.
“Council looks forward to all three of these projects being completed by the end of the year,” said Mayor Goertzen. “We see the low interest rates and the possibility of inflation as another clear benefit of moving forward with these projects now, thus saving money for our citizens in years to come.“
Additional recommendations made during study session included the development of a reserve fund for the future development of recreation and culture facilities in Steinbach, and the preliminary 2010 taxation mill rate.
With 2010 being a re-assessment year, the average market value of residences in Steinbach increased by approximately thirty to thirty-five percent. With a corresponding drop in taxation mill rate this translates to a tax increase of $12 to $15 per month for an average home in Steinbach. It has been recommended that the Steinbach mill rate for 2010 be reduced from 16.8 in 2009 to 14.9 mills to help balance the tax increase. The increase in taxes is necessary to meet the increased debt payment obligations required for the lagoon and pump house projects, as well as the recently completed fire hall.
