The RM of Woodlands is optimistic they'll be putting forth an agreeable 2016 budget. Like all municipalities, they're currently working on their 2016 budget. Reeve Trevor King says while they're still early in the process, it's looking like a favourable budget.

"We're hoping not to have to increase any mill rates at this point. We're in the preliminary stages, but it's looking like we'll meet our expectations. It is an assessment year, of course, our assessment does increase, so there's a chance our mill rate could drop. Until the final review of it, it's hard to tell just what's it's going to be, but we're hoping there's not going to be a large increase at all."

He says council has a lot to consider when creating the 2016 budget, noting several large capital projects on the horizon.

"Certainly there are some capital projects. One is the lagoon expansion which is in the hands of the municipal board right now, that'll have a bearing on it. We're looking at building a new municipal shop. We're pretty certain construction on that will start this year. We've also got some road improvement projects, and we're hoping some funding from the provincial government will help out with that."

King says they'll likely present the 2016 budget in early May, with the intention of giving it third reading following the public hearing.