YEAR IN REVIEW: Batco Manufacturing expands into Urban Forest Recyclers facility
The year 2013 was a memorable year, with the phasing out of the penny at the cash register and the introduction of 10 digit dialing for all Saskatchewan residents back in May.
We take this opportunity to look back at the past year at the standout headlines from across the Southwest.
January 10
some well received reaction. A series of Southwest communities are hosting influenza immunization clinics this week in response to the high number of respiratory illness cases occurring across the region.
January 17 Swift Current’s annexation application in a decision handed down late Friday afternoon.
In the Municipal Boundary Committee’s 40-page ruling they determined the City will pay the RM of Swift Current 15-times the annual tax loss rate for the annexed land over a seven year period. The total amount paid for the property will be approximately $3.17 million, with an annual payment of just over $450,000.
February 14 The Saskatchewan Transportation Company is planning to cut their only bus route servicing the Southwest effective May 18.
This past Friday the provincial government announced they were supporting a cost-cutting move by STC which will result in the elimination of the Eastend to Swift Current and Eastend to Mossbank bus routes.
While counted as a single route, the service operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Eastend through Shaunavon and into Swift Current, while on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays it makes the Highway #13 run from Eastend to Mossbank and back.
Minister responsible for STC Don McMorris said the cost saving move would save $100,000 on this route alone. STC has also announced they will be discontinuing the Blaine Lake to North Battleford route, and service between Regina and Lanigan. Board regarding the application from the City of Swift Current to annex the commercial strip on the west end of the City to Lac Pelletier Trail.
The RM is very disappointed in the decision to approve the City’s application with a compensation of 15 times tax loss and also in the fact that the compensation is to be spread over seven years. An agreement in principle has been reached with the Board of Directors of Eastend’s T.rex Discovery Centre Inc. that will see the Royal Saskatchewan Museum (RSM) assume the on-going operation of the centre this spring.
February 28 The City of Swift Current and the Chinook School Division have each approved shared funding to construct the first allweather eight-lane track in southwest Saskatchewan, based on tenders that were solicited in January 2013, with the contract awarded to Playtech Enterprises Inc. for synthetic surfacing and the civil tender awarded to South Rock Ltd.
The Chinook School Divi- sion approved their contribution of $645,355 plus taxes at their Feb. 11 board meeting, subject to City Council’s formal approval. The total cost of the track and field project to be cost shared is $1,290,710, and will see the six-lane dirt track replaced by an eight lane all-weather synthetic surface track.
March 21 Swift Current Mayor Jerrod Schafer presented the 2013 Municipal Budget at the March 18 Swift Current City Council meeting.
Current municipal taxes will rise by 8.95 per cent following Swift Current City Council’s approval of the 2013 Municipal Budget on March 18.
The budget impact will result in an approximately $81 increased tax bill for the average homeowner, with Council approving a budget featuring $64.7 million in expenses and capital expenditures. Funding for city basic services will be achieved with a increase in the residential base tax equal to $50 per year and a 5.3 per cent tax adjust for commercial and multi-family property owners. An additional 3.6 per cent tax adjustment will support enhanced programs and services plus capital investments.