Village cuts taxes after paying off loan

By Fernando Moreno-Prado Times Contributor

The Village of Hussar has rewarded its residents with lower taxes after cutting its budget to a “bare minimum.” This comes in the wake of being debt free after the repayment of a loan taken out about 12 years ago to pay for a lagoon. 

“We were very frugal in dealing with our budget this past year,” said village Mayor Les Schultz. He expects this tax cut to benefit local residents by saving them money on expenses in an era where many people struggle to pay inflated prices on goods and services.

“We didn’t want to be one of those extra costs that people had to deal with,” Schultz said.

Hussar is home to approximately 175 residents and taxes are the primary sources of revenue. Nevertheless, Schultz explains that the council was very diligent with the budget and taxes.

The plan is to avoid going into any new debt in the future while also doing what is in the best interest of the community. Schultz emphasizes how new debts would have to be added to people’s taxes and he would rather avoid that.

The latest main project for Hussar last summer was the redoing of water and sewer lines for about a block and a half of the village – the cost came to about $800,000. Now, the council is looking into the option of adding liners to existing lines in lieu of digging up streets to replace them. Such a project would cost about $200,000, says Schultz.

Budget talks for 2025 will begin in November and are expected be sorted out by March or April of next year. Another infrastructure project is likely to begin in 2026 says Schultz.

Presently, the council is looking into getting a new backup generator for the water treatment plant which could come down to $35,000.

“They’re not cheap,” said Schultz. “So, we’re looking at our options for that.”

Funding will be mainly sought out through grant applications and saving up those funds, in addition to capital received from the provincial government such as Local Government Fiscal Framework and Municipality Stability Initiative Funding.

The council has taken possession of the Hussar Masonic Hall since July 1, and is pursuing grants to upgrade the venue and its heritage value with the hope of making it their new office. The building has potential uses for a variety of events, activities and spaces that could be rented out.