Council for the Rural Municipality of Hanover has given first reading to a plan that will see taxes lowered.

Chief Financial Officer Derek Decru says Hanover experienced an assessment increase of about four per cent this year. In an effort to offset some of that increase, Council has decided to lower its mill rate. He notes the at-large mill rate will be 9.487 mills, which represents about a 2.6 per cent decrease from last year.

That means, if this financial plan is approved, each of the five communities in Hanover, as well as the rural area, should see a small decrease. For a home assessed at $250,000, and assuming there were no assessment changes in the home this year, taxes this year will go down about $25 in Kleefeld, about $28 in both Grunthal and Blumenort, about $32 in New Bothwell and about $60 in Mitchell. 

"Good news there," says Decru.

Reeve Stan Toews says the municipality does its best to keep any tax increase to a minimum, and when possible, to lower taxes.

This financial plan would see Hanover collect approximately $20.5 million in taxes this year. Of that, approximately $8.5 million is municipal taxes, with the other approximately $12 million going to Hanover School Division.

The RM of Hanover currently has about 211 properties that are signed up to pay their taxes in monthly installments. This brings in about $47,000 each month in revenue.

Decru says Hanover has a lot on the go this year. He notes there are a number of road projects being planned for 2020. The most expensive will see Road 30E reconstructed from Road 34N to 35N. That road is southwest of Mitchell. The total cost of the project is expected to reach about $350,000.

In Blumenort, the plan is to spend approximately $325,000 on Penner Drive South. Decru says crews will repave it and also widen it slightly. 

In Mitchell, the Walnut Avenue project still needs to be completed. They are also looking to pave a series of streets on the north side of Highway 52 and around the park. Decru says the total cost there is about $110,000.

On the recreation side, Decru says a new play structure will be built in Kleefeld. The municipality is also looking to purchase more land for Stahn Field Park in Mitchell. Hanover expects to contribute approximately $175,000 towards these projects. 

There are also some utility upgrades planned for 2020. These include new lift pumps for Grunthal, to allow for additional sewage, resulting in the potential for growth. While, in Kleefeld they will be installing a water treatment ultraviolet light system and filtration system. This will help with the reduction of some of the chemicals in the water. Decru says the total for those two projects is just over $500,000.

Hanover council will hold a public hearing for its financial plan on April 22nd before giving second and third readings.