Steinbach City Hall

Many property owners in Steinbach can expect an increase in taxes next year. That information was given to city councillors at their fall retreat over the weekend. Mayor Chris Goertzen explains 2012 is a provincial reassessment year and that will put more money into city coffers. "As we get more numbers and finalize a few other details, it will become more clear, but the reality is we will have an increase in revenue and that revenue will be put towards two main areas," said the mayor. Those areas are protective services and reserve funds for the future renewal of recreational and cultural facilities.

City council plans to set aside 800 thousand dollars in reserve funds next year for recreational and cultural facility renewal. Mayor Goertzen notes there is not a specific plan for a new building or buildings at this time. He says, "We do need to have a full plan sooner than later and that, we believe, is going to transpire over the next year or two. In the meantime, we need to bolster our reserves for that and so council felt it was a priority to put money aside so that we're ready when the time comes to act on that."
   
As for protective services, Steinbach city council believes the city needs more police and also must set aside more money for the new RCMP contract. Mayor Goertzen says, "We're going to need increased police presence, we believe, in the coming year and we're going to need to bolster those numbers because of the new contract that is being created by the federal and provincial governments."

Mayor Goertzen says it was an excellent study session and all of council was in agreement on these priorities.

Here is the full interview with Mayor Goertzen: