Estevan city council approved the rate of taxation bylaw and two levy bylaws during Monday night鈥檚 meeting.
The rate of taxation bylaw was given the three necessary readings Monday night. It had been introduced at the council meeting three weeks ago for first reading, but that was tabled because Councillor Greg Hoffort asked to see some additional tax tools for assessment increases.
Hoffort said council should continue to press the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency to change their practices and create a more balanced process.
The municipal share of property taxes will remain unchanged this year, the first time since 2006 that there hasn鈥檛 been a property tax increase.
Also during the meeting, council gave second and third readings to the health levy and the library levy.
The health levy will generate about $310,000. Nearly half of that money, about $150,000, will be directed to the St. Joseph鈥檚 Hospital Foundation for physician recruitment and other capital needs in the city.
The rest of the money will be directed to paying off the city鈥檚 commitment to the new Estevan Regional Nursing Home.
The library levy will generate $34.05 per capita, or $390,996 for the 小蓝视频east Regional Library, and $25,000 for the operations of the Estevan Public Library.
The 小蓝视频east Regional Library dictates what people pay per capita. In recent years, it has appeared as a separate line item on tax bills.
This week鈥檚 edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.聽
