Bruce Reed (front) and Tom Heine

Tom Heine spoke to Council about his property being reassessed asking what Council is doing to expand the tax base.  Councilor Bill Hanson said they have looked at developing new lots but people are not interested in building.  Heine said there is an opportunity by amalgamating with the lake areas and Councilor Ken Pawlachuk said they have asked the Association of Manitoba Municipalities to lobby the government on the issue of amalgamation and services as they are the landlord for these areas.  Deputy Mayor Colleen McKee said Council is a hard working group and they are moving forward including with the new Regional Economic Development Officer.

Bruce Reed followed on taxes and water bills stating people are paying a variety of amounts for the water debenture for the same water and it’s wrong.  On schools he said tax payers are paying roughly 14,870 dollars per student while the provincial average is 12,180.  He said people should be concerned about how their tax dollars are being spent. He said police and fire services are now being shared equally and that should be done with the water debenture.  Deputy Mayor Colleen McKee replied they discuss these things frequently but don’t always have a resolution suggesting they should have members of the public on their committees so they have input.