Western School Division (WSD) invited the public to its Budget Exhibition Wednesday. This allowed all the ratepayers to come to and physically see what the Division is spending the tax payers money on.

"I think this year we spent a lot of time looking at the budget that we have and the surplus that we had last year. Making sure that we could keep it a reasonable increase," said Chair Brian Fransen who feels this is a reasonable increase. "We understand that when ever it's an increase there is a bit of hit, but we do have to make sure we can maintain the services we have, with the budgeted amount that we are getting from the Province."

As for the 2017-18 proposed budget, WSD trustee's and staff have comprised a budget of over $20million ($20,611,464). Meanwhile, last year's budget was just over the $20million mark ($20,300,711).

"It's about a .62mills increase. Last year the mill rate was set at 15.99 mills. For 2017 the mill rate we are looking at is 16.61 mills," explained WSD secretary-treasurer Carl Pedersen.

For the ratepayers in the WSD catchment area, this means a house valued at $275,000, will see an increase in school taxes of $76.72 ($2055.49 per year). A million dollars worth of farmland in the RM of Stanley will experience an increase of $161.20 ($4318.60 per year) and a $500,000 business in downtown Morden will have an increase of approximately $201.50 ($8810.75 per year).

As it stands WSD received funding from three places. The Provincial government is responsible for 64% or $13,130,506 of this budget, the City of Morden and RM of Stanley cover 34%, or $7,068,608, and the residual 2% or $412,350 is from the school cafeteria and international education.

Fransen noted the board is happy with this proposed budget and is thrilled to see this budget work toward the board's priorities plan.

According to Fransen, the board would like to approve the budget at their March meeting.