Council for the Town of Carman has approved a $6.5 million budget for 2018/19.

Mayor Bob Mitchell explained this represents about a $600,000 boost over 2017/18, well within Council's efforts to keep the budget within a 3 percent increase year-over-year.

"It's all worked pretty good. It's all built into our contracts with our employees...because wages are a big part of the total budget, and so if you can nail that down at three percent then you've got control...until you find some odd thing that comes along."

This modest budget increase, coupled with an average 4.6 percent growth in assessment values, helped the Town to lower the mill rate from 19.3 to 19.2. Mitchell noted this means ratepayers can expect pretty much the same in terms of their tax bills. However, school levies have not yet been applied to the rates.

Meantime, Council has earmarked $45,000 to pay for a pair of special projects set to unfold in the coming year.

$35,000 is dedicated to paying for the town's portion of a STARS helipad being constructed at the Carman Memorial Hospital.

$10,000 will be spent on developing a plan for some new baseball diamonds and soccer pitches on the west side of town.

The 2018/19 budget also includes spending to finish up a few projects.

This summer will see the completion of the reconstruction of Highway 13 through town, as well as the replacement of sidewalks and lighting along that stretch of road and in the downtown. The total cost is estimated at $1.3 million, but Mitchell says the Town is getting some help in picking up the tab.

There's $207,460 available from the Gas Tax Reserve; $255,051 in CDI funds and $222,000 in other savings.

The 2018/19 budget also includes all of the grants that were approved through the annual joint funding initiative through the Town of Carman and R.M. of Dufferin.