Moose Jaw's budget is still waiting to be finalized, but there are many things that were considered going into it. One thing discussed was the increase in funding for our local police service and other first responders.

"The budget for the police right now, we are actually in the police commission, increasing the level of service and the number of people, but not increasing the budget as perspective," explained Moose Jaw Mayor Fraser Tolmie. "We can actually access funds from the province and that's what we're actually doing."

Which makes it easier to have out police continue on with their current programs and services, as Moose Jaw Police Chief Rick Bourassa requested a 1.35% budget increase in January, and said they'll need around $9.5 million to do their job this year.

The recent Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention has also cause a lot of discussion around budget, which as Premier Scott Moe had announced at the convention that municipal leaders need to prepare for 'belt tightening.'

From the SUMA talks, Regina's Mayor Michael Fougere recently came forward and suggested that more tax powers be given to municipalities. While some groups are against this, Mayor Tolmie understands where he is coming from.

"[All the leaders] are in the same boat. You know, we get 8 percent of the taxes, and the province and the federal government get the other 92 percent," he said. "We're the ones that have to provide water, roads, community facilities and it's challenging times.

Also, with legalization and legislation coming this summer, Tolmie hopes that the city will be able to profit off of it, since they will be the ones who have to enforce the laws. Besides that thought, council has been busy trying determine how to enforce this and also where to allow shops to be placed.

"We're looking at locations, we want to protect our community, obviously, when this is introduced," Tolmie siad. "We're looking at things like schools, daycare centers, addiction centers, things that are important to keep those areas protected, so that the kind of bylaw that we'll bring in."

City Council gets together next this Monday.