Premier Scott Moe announced at yesterday meetings at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association convention in Regina that the provincial budget would be released on April 10th. 

"There were definite overtones of what's coming in the next budget," shared Mayor Roy Ludwig. "It definitely didn't sound like good things were coming our way. But we'll wait and see and hopefully it's not more bad news, as it was last year. Hopefully it's better news."

Scott Moe ran on a promise to balance the budget by 2019 and it looks like the budget will be another tight one.

"As long as they're not going to be hitting the urbans too hard, I guess we'll wait and see what happens. I guess we're cautiously optimistic."

SUMA also affords the leaders of cities and towns to meet and discuss the issues facing their communities.

"All the cities got together and had good discussions about all our various concerns that we all have together. Number one, how will the budget turn out, coming our way. And the fact that it did'n't look like there was going to be any turn around on the grants in lieu. I don't want to sound too negative, hopefully it won't be any worse than it was in the last budget."

"The other big elephant in the room is revenue sharing. We were reduced last year and it may look like that may be another reduction this year. We're hoping that it doesn't happen but there wasn't a lot of good feeling after the speech as far as the upcoming budget."

"I do understand that they want to concentrate on getting their debt level down," but he added that hopefully it would not come on the backs of the municipalities, towns and cities.

Ludwig added that he is looking forward to more information sessions today, an address from the Minister of Government Relations, and a keynote speech from Dough Griffiths. The President's Banquet and Awards Ceremony is also held tonight.