Paying now for future gains in Rosser

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/05/2016 (3609 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

RM of Rosser reeve Frances Smee said money now being spent to provide water and sewer service to land within CentrePort Canada will pay off in more tax revenue in the future.

“We know that it’s out there. We have developers waiting,” she said. “We’re right in the midst of our sewer and water project for CentrePort.”

Water service is expected to begin in 2017 after a new water treatment plant was built in the RM of Headingley, with pipeline laid in the CentrePort area, and a reservoir constructed. The sewer connection is to come from the City of Winnipeg but large boulders under Inkster Boulevard have slowed the project.

Rosser’s 2016 financial plan contains revenues and expenses estimated to balance at approximately $3.7 million, up from the $3.3 million in the 2015 financial plan. Council passed the budget on May 10.

The municipal mill rate of 7.8 applied to the 2016 tax base is expected to bring in over $2.2 million. The municipal mill rate is lower than the 8.1 mill rate levied in 2015, but a province-wide reassessment that takes effect this year has raised the municipality’s total tax base.

As in other Manitoba municipalities, the assessed value of agricultural land has risen, bringing higher taxes for property owners. The 2016 bill on 80 acres is $495 compared to $383 in 2015.
The value of commercial property has also increased. A property assessed at $585,400 jumped to $750,800 this year, raising the tax bill from $12,996 to $15,352.

The tax bill for a residential property assessed at $285,500 will be $1,992 compared to $2,179 in 2015.

Rosser is receiving 59 per cent of its 2016 taxes from commercial properties, followed by agricultural at 21 per cent and residential at 18 per cent.

Transportation services account for 29 per cent of the total 2016 expenditures, with gravel and hauling costs expected to tally $320,000. Maintaining drainage ditches and culverts and snow clearing also fall under transportation services.

Smee said Rosser is sharing the cost of developing a secondary plan for Grosse Isle with the RM of Rockwood.

Other expenditures for 2016 include completing Grosse Isle sewer repairs, purchasing a new tractor, Rosser-Rockwood wastewater lagoon repairs, maintaining recreation facilities, and buying protective equipment for the fire department.

The 2016 financial plan is available at www.rmofrosser.com

Facebook.com/TheHeadlinerWPG
Twitter: @CanstarHeadline