Steinbach city council has not yet finalized its taxation plans for the coming year. The budget was the top agenda item as city council held its fall study session this past weekend. Mayor Chris Goertzen says 2018 will be a year of transition as the city adds about 2,800 acres that has been annexed from the RM of Hanover. And he adds there will be some higher costs facing the city in other areas.

"Certainly there are a lot of pressures on the budget for 2018. We know that we have increased costs when it comes to RCMP. We now have a full year of paying 90 per cent rather than

Mayor Chris Goertzenthree-quarters of a year, so that will impact the budget, as well as other challenges. We continue working on it (the budget). We're looking for a little bit more information before we finalize the numbers completely for 2018."

In regard to capital projects for next year, Goertzen says council has approved sidewalk construction in Hampton Village and in the Parkhill subdivision, street resurfacing on Mckenzie Avenue and on Hespeler Street, maintenance at the Aquatic Centre and the construction of a second water treatment facility.

As for discussions on cultural and recreational facilities, he says the city is continuing to listen to various groups and individuals but there is nothing imminent at this time.

"Discussions continue with user groups and business people and people throughout the community. That will continue over the next number of weeks and, as we move into 2018, we may see additional information come about. Certainly, we have our ears open and we're listening to what the community would like to see and yet, we continue to want to be fiscally responsible as well as visionary. So the combination of that, we will certainly need to take into account when it comes to 2018."