By Colleen A.J. Smith

MLA Herb Cox reacts to the provincial budget

Jun 2, 2016 | 6:50 AM

The annual provincial budget brought changes both positive and negative for the city of North Battleford.

While the city will increase its municipal revenue share to $3.03 million, there will be a funding cut for the Battleford River Valley Park.

MLA Herb Cox said the cutting of the park’s provincial funding was one of the many difficult decisions which had to be made.

“We looked at a lot of programs and that was one which unfortunately we thought would drop,” Cox said. “We know it might mean something to the cities and towns, but hopefully there are funds in some of the other programs.”

The river valley may have its funding cut short, but Cox said the funding could return should the fiscal mean be available in the coming years. Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Swift Current and Weyburn’s municipal parks will also be affected by the cuts.

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Cox was positive about the headway made in balancing the budget, hoping it will be completely balanced or in surplus by 2018. He said provincial programs, including infrastructure spending, are under constant monitoring, and expenses are being kept modest.

“I guess you could say we inherited a great infrastructure deficit several years ago and there’s more work to do, and we’re going to continue to do it,” Cox said.

It is expected 1.7 billion will go to crown corporations and another 1.8 billion to general infrastructure to combat this deficit.

colleen.smith@jpbg.ca

Twitter: ColleenAJSmith