The Rural Municipality of Stanley approved its 2017 operating budget during its regular council meeting Thursday. The approved budget is $6,663,589, which is an increase of $137,268 over last year.

"Our mill rate is going to go up from 9.968 to 10.074,'' said Reeve Morris Olafson.

Farmland taxes are expected to remain similar to last year. Owners of 80 acres, assessed at $450,000, can expect to pay $1,178 (not including school taxes), which is an increase of roughly $12. Meanwhile, Residential property, assessed at $250,000, can expect a $1,133 tax bill (not including school taxes), or an increase of around $12.

A large portion of the 2017 budget will be transfers to reserves, after the Municipality purchased a number of new pieces of equipment last year, and want to replenish its equipment reserve fund.

Overall, he says the $6.6 million budget is very reasonable.

"Overall I'm happy with the budget. To run an RM of our size it's not bad," added Olafson.

Going into 2017 the RM is making a number of contributions to organizations including $100,000 to Tabor Home, $76,000 to the South Central Regional Library and $42,000 to the Pembina Valley Conservation District.

Some of the projects the RM is looking at doing is continuing water and waste water planning for Reinfeld and Schanzenfeld, Phase three of its village paving program, restoration of the Reinland drain, hazard sign, and continued work on the over 400 miles of roads within the Municipality.

The RM also saw debt fall from $4.5 million to $4.3 million in 2016. Toews notes debt is well within their total allowable debt of $34 million.