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Funding, Infrastructure and Getting it done!

Apr 15, 2013 | 6:36 AM

A couple key and important developments have occurred for the administration of the Town of La Ronge in the last month. Here are the developments that I would like to share:

On March 18th, 2013 Saskatchewan municipalities welcomed the news that we would receive record revenue sharing in 2013-2014. Under the leadership of Premier Brad Wall, Minister Reiter and the provincial government, Northern Saskatchewan municipalities would receive an additional $3.1 million ($19.7 million total) or 7.456% of the total revenue sharing pool. For the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District, the Northern Municipal Trust Account (NMTA) Management Board (which I am a member of) makes recommendations to the Minister on how the money should be distributed to our communities. We have submitted several options to the Minister and are looking forward for the additional funding to help tackle the major infrastructure deficit in our communities. In 2012-2013 the Town of La Ronge received approximately $1.2 million dollars in revenue sharing, which was used to provide services such as administration, community services and infrastructure.

On April 10th, 2013 council of the Town of La Ronge passed a motion stating that they approved upgrading and paving to Hildebrand and Backlund Streets. These two main transportations arteries service the Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region La Ronge Health Centre, Northlands College, Mel Hegland Uniplex, La Ronge Town Office/Library Complex, La Ronge Regional Fire Department and the newly renovated Churchill Community High School. The streets also provide access to the community and allow for timely and safe emergency response. The length of upgrades and paving of the streets will be approximately 1.2 kilometers and is estimated to cost $1.5 million. Glen Gillis of SaskWater (Prince Albert) will act as project manager and that Associated Engineering Inc. (Saskatoon) will be tasked with project design. The process of project contract awarding and the local improvement component will commence in the near future.

I would like to pass on my gratitude to council for making this project happen. We are able to do this project in a fiscally responsible manner, while making sure that we continue to place funds in trust for other future projects that our community requires. This has always been a project that I hoped would be completed while I was in office. I, like others understand the importance of paving this road.

Spending 5 years transporting patients while employed in Emergency Medical Services and transporting my mom during her illness made me realize the personal impact lacking infrastructure can have on one’s life. I was thrilled that on my 25th birthday, council had approved this important project, an awesome present to not only me, but the region as a whole!

As we move forward on several infrastructure projects this year, many of you may be wondering…will my taxes increase? I am a strong believer that taxes should go up in reasonable increments every year. As a municipality we are limited to that revenue streams that we have and must offset inflation and other cost increases. I do believe that small increment increases are more responsible and realistic than large ones every couple of years. The Town of La Ronge is committed to investing tax dollars in the most efficient and effective ways.

Before I sign off, I would like to give a shout-out to Mona and the wonderful ladies at the Travelodge in Prince Albert. Your hospitality during my many stays is much appreciated (plus you read my blog!) and I always look forward to NMTA meetings at your facility!

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email me at laronge.mayor@sasktel.net or tweet me on Twitter: @Thomas_LaRonge!