The RM of Grahamdale has officially passed their 2016 Budget. It includes a slight increase in tax revenue, and a decrease in planned spending. The municipality has a total of $2,058,100 in expenditures outlind in 2016, down from $2,430,106 in 2015. Meanwhile tax revenues are up by about five per cent, with $2,051,634.33 in 2016, compared to $1,958,720 in 2015. Reeve Clifford Halaburda notes they had a quiet public hearing last

Clifford HalaburdaThursday, and overall Council's pleased with what they're putting forward. 

"It looks good. I think the people are going to be satisfied with what we're putting out for them for 2016. I think most people are going to be comfortable, there isn't much more we can do. We balanced our budget, which is important, and that's just the way it is."

A majority of the expenditures relate to grading, snow removal, and other road work, while $150,000 is set aside for the Moosehorn flood protection project. However, Halaburda notes the the 2015 reassessments, which took effect in 2016, will mean some are paying a bit more in taxes this year.

"That's provincial assessments, so it's out of our control."

While no major projects are set for 2016, the municipality's five year capital expenditure program outlines a number of costly items. They've budgeted about $600,00 for a new regional waste disposal site to be created in 2020, $100,000 for the municipal office in 2018, $270,0000 for the asphalting of streets in 2020.