The City of Martensville Council approved the 2019 Budget at the February 19 Council Meeting. Prioritizing capital projects and identifying the wants and needs of the community were the focus of budget meetings over the past number of months.
“The City is committed to investing in our infrastructure in 2019 for the City of Martensville,” says Mayor Kent Muench. “We have budgeted $2 million in capital projects including $700,000 in roadways to further our investment in the priorities identified in the City’s roadways assessment completed in 2017. Another big project for the City is developing the pathway behind McCormack Ranch along 10th Avenue. This will provide residents with improved connectivity to the city’s 7 km of pathways leading to Kinsmen Park.”
The City also continues to invest in a future recreation facility for the residents of Martensville with further project planning and funding opportunities to be explored in 2019 and approximately $480,000 will be set aside in reserves for this facility. This will strengthen the commitment already approved by Council in 2018 of $6.5 million to a new multipurpose recreation facility.
We remain focused in 2019 on both investing and maintaining our current infrastructure as well as looking towards the future.
The City has budgeted for a 4% increase in total property tax revenue after assessment growth of 3.6%. As a result, the average home owner in Martensville will see an increase to their municipal property tax levy of approximately $77.91 per year or $6.49 per month for those on TIPPS, an increase of 3.98%. Increases will affect all properties differently dependent on assessment values. The actual 2019 mill rate will be reviewed and set in the coming months after the release of the provincial budget in March.
There are no budgeted changes to the residential base tax levy, the wastewater treatment levy, or the recreation facility levy, but an increase to the garbage/recycling levy of $30 per year is anticipated. This is the result of increased garbage pick-up costs from Loraas and to cover account administration.
How is Martensville Funded?
The City of Martensville collects most of its revenue through property taxes as shown below, however other revenue streams also help fund the infrastructure, programs, and services offered in the City. Another significant source of revenue is government grant funding at 17.6%. Revenues from fees and services comprise 18.46% of the City’s revenue stream, an increase over prior years. Examples include things like recreation programming user fees, the garbage & recycling program fees, facility rental fees and many others. The City continues to look for alternative funding opportunities to ensure that we can maintain and grow all that the City of Martensville offers. Note that we do not include the City’s Water & Sewer Utility Department here as this department only funds the Water & Sewer infrastructure and operations.
Your 2019 Tax Dollar
Have you ever wondered how each tax dollar is spent? The image below shows the 2019 City of Martensville Budget broken down into different functions in the City. Each dollar spent is put into essential infrastructure and service needs for the residents and businesses in Martensville. For more detailed information on the 2019 approved spending, please refer to the 2019 Budget Highlights.
Note that this image does not include the Water & Sewer Utility Department as this is operated as a fee for service department and is not funded by general property taxation.
2019 Budget Highlights
Water & Sewer
The $75.00 base tax amount will continue for 2019 to fund a reserve for future waste water treatment.
In May the City will again receive a large rate increase from SaskWater of 9.75%, which we will be passing on to our utility accounts. The City continues to work with the City of Saskatoon to formalize a regional water and wastewater project with Federal & Provincial funding.
Emergency & Protective Services
RCMP
The RCMP detachment will remain at the current staffing level for 2019. This is the equivalent of 8 full time members.
Fire Department & Emergency Measures Organization (EMO)
The Martensville Fire Department will be investing in a new medical unit which will assist the first responders attending medical calls.
Training has been identified as a critical component of the department and the City will be purchasing propane training props to enhance skills and/or abilities.
Infrastructure & Planning Land Development & Land Use Planning
The Southeast Sector Plan will be completed.
The City continues to support and participate in the Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth (P4G) and work with partners to advance plans for land use, transportation, and servicing in the region.
Road Rehabilitation and Maintenance
As per the Pavement Assessment and Pavement Management Plan approved in 2017, Council has committed $700,000 to roadways in 2019. This exceeds the established goal of an annual roadways maintenance budget of $600,000 to ensure the City’s infrastructure is maintained and at optimum service levels.
Street lighting along 10th Avenue South and the Traffic Circle at Main Street and 10th Avenue will be installed.
Recreation & Community Services
We will build and complete a pathway along 10th Avenue South behind the McCormack Ranch area to connect the City’s over 7km of paved pathways leading to Kinsmen Park.
The City will be complete the midget/senior ball diamond at Mocon Field with an investment of $150,000.
A new ice resurfacer is budgeted for the Sports Centre and should be ready for use for the 2019/2020 rink season.
The Outdoor Skating Rink adjacent to the Sports Centre will be replaced in 2019.
