Council finalizes financial plan following provincial and education tax updates
Steinbach City Council has officially approved the city’s 2025 financial plan, finalizing a $37.4 million general operating budget after giving initial approval in March. This does not include the water and wastewater revenues and expenses.
Council gave the green light during its regular meeting on Tuesday night, following the release of the provincial and school division mill rates. The total budgeted revenue and expenses, including utilities, come to $42.1 million, as required under the province’s balanced budget rules.
Tax impact from property reassessment
The city is maintaining its municipal mill rate at 14.4 for 2025, but due to it being a reassessment year, many Steinbach property owners will see higher tax bills.
City Manager Troy Warkentin explained the breakdown to council, noting the combined residential mill rate is expected to be 26.76 mills, while the commercial rate is projected at 33.877 mills.
For a home with a market value of $250,000, the annual city property taxes will be approximately $1,620.
Major projects planned
The 2025 budget includes several key infrastructure and capital projects. Among the most notable are the completion of the long-awaited Southeast Event Centre, the Loewen Boulevard and Highway 12 intersection renewal, and significant upgrades to the city’s wastewater system.
That includes twinning the Park Road West force main and replacing the sewer line on Millwork Drive. The city also plans to purchase a new ladder truck for the Steinbach Fire Department.
Council support unanimous
The budget received unanimous support from council. Deputy Mayor Michael Zwaagstra moved to adopt the financial plan.
“As has been noted, we have already given approval in principle to our 2025 financial plan,” said Zwaagstra. “Now we can make the full thing official because we have the school board tax information.”
Councillor Bill Hiebert seconded the motion, and no objections were raised.
Warkentin told council that with all the necessary tax rate components now known, the administration recommended full approval.