Third-party community groups are collectively asking city council for over $1.3 million extra in budget funding for 2024 compared to this year, something council will have to discuss during its budget deliberations.
Council kicked off its 2024 budget talks on Nov. 29 by hearing from 15 groups, ranging from police to seniors to arts and culture to business to environment.
The total operating funding requests the groups are asking for next year is $15,281,420, compared to $13,943,984 this year, an increase of $1,337,436.
The Moose Jaw Police Service is asking for net operating funding of $12,690,903, which is $1,181,355 more than this year. It also wants capital funding of $80,000, compared to $235,000 this year; it’s five-year capital funding goal is $4.45 million.
The Moose Jaw Public Library wants $1,289,460 in net funding, which is $30,019 more than this year.
The Moose Jaw and District Senior Citizens Association is asking for $70,000 next year, which is $33,229 more than this year.
The Cosmo Senior Citizens’ Association wants $15,652 next year, which is $107 less than this year.
Tourism Moose Jaw and the Canada Day Committee want $100,610 and $6,000, respectively, for next year, which is $2,930 and $3,337 more than this year, respectively.
The Festival of Words is seeking $8,265, which is the same as this year.
The Cultural Centre wants $180,603 for next year, which is $11,815 more than this year.
The museum and art gallery is seeking $148,787, which is $4,334 more than this year.
The public art committee wants $12,000 for next year, which is $2,000 more than this year.
The Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre is asking for $6,956, compared to $202 more than this year.
Wakamow Valley Authority is asking for a statutory levy of $355,500, which is $9,210 more than this year.
The Downtown Moose Jaw Association is seeking funding of $50,769, which is $6,479 more than this year.
The Moose Jaw Municipal Airport Authority is asking for $66,000, which is $36,000 more than this year.
The humane society wants $254,915 for next year, which is $1,633 more than this year. It also wants $15,000 for its spay and neuter program.
The Moose Jaw River Watershed Stewards are seeking $10,000 next year, which is similar to this year.
If the police service increase is excluded, the total request the 14 other groups are making is $156,081.
The Moose Jaw Express will continue to produce several more stories from the evening’s presentations.
