The provincial government has announced an end to the seven-year freeze on increases to the municipal operating basket funding.
The government will be increasing the funding by 28% provincially, with an additional $47 million dollars. Other than Winnipeg, which saw an increase of 14%, municipalities across the province will see a minimum increase to their funding of 24%.
With massive increases in costs over the last seven years, while the freeze has been in effect, Dauphin Mayor David Bosiak says the increase is a relief.
"Inflation really hit us hard last year, and we had to dip into some reserves to offset increases in some of the costs. This will certainly help this year, to help us balance some things because we're still looking at some significant inflationary costs related to our core services and programs."
While the exact number hasn't been released, Bosiak says the funding will go a long way.
"It gives the council a little bit of a relief. You know this is 170 or 180 thousand dollars that we don't have to go to our local taxpayers for this year. So it's great news. Would've loved to see this in years previous, but now is as good a time as any."
The provincial municipal grant has now grown to $217 million from $170 million.
