The provincial and federal budgets came down last week only one day apart. The City of Humboldt has been processing the impact of both documents.

Mayor Rob Muench is generally pleased with the outcomes which resulted in an overall increase in funding. On the federal front, an additional year's worth of funding based on gas tax revenues effectively doubles the usual allocation. Muench notes, "We are going from about $350,000 to double that amount in payment for the upcoming year. That will be a bit of a windfall for the city. Generally, we use that money for utility type upgrades like streets and roads, but I don't think it's limited to that."

While not restricted having to spend the money in a particular area, Muench states that Council prefers to earmark those particular revenues to specific programs. 

The City has also received an additional allocation from the FCM Green Municipal Fund which provides grant revenue for specific projects. Mayor Muench indicated that money from the funding provided approximately half of the costs for a study on Humboldt's lagoon which is nearing its capacity. 

Turning to the provincial budget, the Mayor and Council were pleased to see targeted funding for mental health. Muench briefly alluded to the circumstances of the last year stating, "The focus on increased spending on mental health is important for Humboldt. Those types of services were definitely needed in our community last year, and will continue to be needed over the next number of years."

The increase in Provincial Revenue Sharing provided some relief given that funding had dropped in previous years. The modest $36,000 increase was welcome in a trend that the Mayor hopes will see revenue share funding restored to past levels. Council will seek additional funding sources as it continues to review the province's budget.

A highlight for Mayor Muench was the announcement of funding for improvements to Highway 5 from the junction of Highway 2 to Saskatoon. "This is something I've been talking to the Highways Minister whenever I get a chance over the last number of years to keep that in the forefront."

Muench feels those efforts have paid off given the announcement that engineering and analysis would go on in 2019, and in 2020 "put the shovels to the ground", as the Mayor says. Plans on the books are for widening the heavily trafficked roadway and installing passing lanes and some possible twinned lanes toward Saskatoon.