Rate payers in the Municipality of Montcalm will pay more in 2017 based on the budget numbers released by the communities council last week.

The mill rate will go up slightly by about 3.8%, and the LUD of St Jean will see over a 10% increase. Reeve Derek Sabourin says the increase was brought on by the need for much more drainage work in 2017 and the influx of snow removal earlier this year.

"We have done what we could to mitigate the increase, as we found out in the last couple of days school divisions do not seem to think they should limit their increases more than they did. So we are trying to do the best we can to provide services in the most cost efficient way to our rate payers. The large increase in St Jean is due to the Municipality needing to put some money away for some major projects that need to be completed in the near future, like the main road and sewer in the community of St Jean," explained Sabourin.

Sabourin went on to say that the office has seen some savings after having consultants in reorganizing some things, noting council is happy with where things are now and where the Municipality is headed.

With the increases in the mill rate and St Jean Lud, rate payers will see a lot of work completed in 2017.

"We have drainage projects with the province and the Municipality of Rhineland, we do not have firm time commitments however we are working together and should see some work done in 2017 on the Rempel and Lafond drains with the drains being finished for sure in 2018. Also it will be a very busy summer as the highway project and entrances to St jean are finished and clear for winter of 2017, " said Sabourin.

Noting that this will finish the construction disruption in that area for awhile.