The Saskatchewan government confirmed in its March 23 budget that municipalities will receive one percent of provincial sales tax revenues this year.
That provides $62.9 million to rural municipalities through revenue sharing grants, up from $48.6 million.
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities president David Marit said the decision relieves pressure on RM councils.
The province had already fast tracked $23.5 million in money for municipal roads.
The highways budget contains $285.3 million for capital construction, including $91 million for upgrading 160 kilometres of rural highways.
The twinning of Highway 11 will continue, and $76 million is allocated to repave 400 km of highways.
Highways minister Jim Reiter said 1,400 km will be improved through construction and maintenance.
Other budget highlights include:
• a $1,000 increase in personal income tax exemption amounts;
• a small business tax cut from 4.5 percent to two percent, effective July 1;
• almost $20 million for new school capital projects;
• a $4.46 billion health budget, including $250 million more for regional health authorities;
• debt reduction of $325 million;
• total spending of $10.7 billion on revenue of $10.8 billion.
