Steinbach Corporate Services Manager Troy Warkentin presents the 2012 budget

Residents of Steinbach can expect a significant increase in property taxes this year, in the range of nine or ten per cent. City council gave unanimous preliminary approval to its new budget Tuesday night.

The significant spending increases include money for two additional RCMP officers and setting aside $800,000.00 for future recreational and cultural facility renewal.

Mayor Chris Goertzen, whose taxes will rise 11 per cent, says the increased spending follows the priorities of residents. "Specifically about cultural and recreation infrastructure renewal as well as policing. So council made the decision to increase taxes. They(councillors) think those are the priorities of the public," said Goertzen.

Councillor Michael Zwaagstra says his tax bill will increase by 17 per cent or about $300.00 this year. He has historically voted against tax increases but says, "I supported this budget because it faithfully reflects the priorities of the City of Steinbach. We've certainly heard from people that they want to see us put money aside for future recreation needs. We know that some changes will have to happen, some upgrades will have to happen with our facilities, and that is expensive, and so we're putting aside money now. Similarly we're putting more money into policing, something that we recognize is a priority for the city. In the past I have voted against tax increases, however, I believe this is a good budget that reflects the priorities of the city."

Deputy mayor Jac Siemens, whose tax bill is going up 11 per cent, says he has also voted against tax hikes in the past. But he adds, "This time I think it is time. The growth of our community has been very large. We want to step forward with our recreation programs and our recreation facilities that need to be replaced and updated. We need to start to build reserve funds for these things so I think it is time we do a tax increase."

Steinbach Corporate Services Manager Troy Warkentin says the amount of each homeowner's tax increase will vary depending on how much their property value went up through the reassessment done last year. But he says for many people it will be in that nine or ten per cent range.