Souris-Glenwood ratepayers will be paying more in taxes in 2017.

Council has given first reading to the new budget and sent it off to the province for approval. “The municipal portion for both rural and urban will go up about 2.85%” said Mayor Darryl Jackson.

Jackson added he likes to see at least a slight increase in taxes to avoid any major jump in rates down the road.

“Slow and steady as it goes is a good approach and I think we've accomplished that with this budget.”

When the municipal increase is combined with the 5% increase in the education portion Souris-Glenwood ratepayers will notice an increase on the tax bill ranging from 3.5% to 4.5%.

“There's always some projects we want to do but some things will have to wait and right now we are looking at some road upgrades in the rural areas.”

The Souris-Glenwood budget still requires second and third reading from the council.