Weyburn City Council approved several key financial and infrastructure measures during its regular meeting on May 12, setting the stage for the 2025 fiscal year and upcoming capital projects.
Council passed all three readings of the 2025 Mill Rate and Base Tax Bylaws, which set the municipal mill rate at 10.457. Due to the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency (SAMA) revaluation conducted this year, taxable property values have shifted significantly across classifications. As a result, while some properties will see increases, others may see decreases in their final tax bills.
Mayor Jeff Richards explained that the rate-setting process involved balancing the city's budgeted tax increase across property types, including residential, commercial, and industrial classes.
“We do budget an amount for a tax increase,” Richards said in a post-meeting interview. “But then once SAMA comes back to us... We have to distribute that tax increase across the different tax classifications.”
Council also gave second and third readings to amendments to the Waterworks and Sewer Service Bylaws, which introduce a $10 per month infrastructure fee on all city utility accounts beginning July 1. The fee is intended to fund major capital utility projects, including upgrades to the lagoon system, water treatment plant modifications, and multiple water main replacements.
Mayor Richards emphasized that the fee is dedicated solely to infrastructure, not general operations or salaries.
“It’s reserved and restricted to infrastructure projects only,” he stated. “We can’t keep kicking the infrastructure can down the road. $10 a month, $120 a year is a lot, we understand that, but this will keep it off the tax roll to an extent.”
The city has identified over $15 million in water and sewer infrastructure needs between 2025 and 2030, including immediate priorities like lift station upgrades and dam repairs.
Council unanimously approved the awarding of contracts for the 2025 Asphalt Program, which came in well under the $1.1 million budget. The work was divided into nine parts and awarded to two contractors: GenCo Asphalt Inc. and Torrent Energy Services Inc., both of whom submitted the lowest qualifying bids for their respective segments.
Director of Engineering Renee Cugnet confirmed work will begin as early as late May on the Government Road bridge, with the remainder starting mid-June. The program includes resurfacing on major arteries such as 5th Avenue North and various residential intersections, with some funds possibly redirected to additional needs on King Street.
Mayor Richards noted the significance of the budget savings.
“It doesn’t happen a lot that things come in under budget when you go to market like that, but we’re really pleased,” he said. “We’re excited to see nearly a million dollars of asphalt go down in the coming months.”