Neepawa passes new budget

Includes 1.5 per cent increase to property tax levy

By Eoin Devereux Neepawa Banner & Press

The 2023 financial plan for the Town of Neepawa has been approved. On Tuesday, May. 2, Council gave second and third reading to the document, which allocates $19,292,396 towards the general operating fund and $8,065,660 to the utility operating fund. Compared to last year’s budget, that’s an increase in spending of just over $2.3 million more towards the general fund, but $731,700 less for utility.

The largest new investment within the budget is going towards Trans - portation Services, as it has increased from $6.1 million to $11.2 million.

The reason for the increase is connected to road upgrades and installation, primarily focused on the land surrounding the town’s new hospital.

The mill rate for the year has been set at 22.39, an increase of .33 mill compared to 2022. The mill rate is a figure representing the amount per $1,000 of the assessed value of the property, which is used to calculate the amount of property tax.

This year’s increase in taxes for residential and commercial property owners is slightly less than what was seen in 2022, as last year’s municipal levy increased by 1.57 per cent.