Taxpayers in Estevan will pay a little more in property taxes this year, after Estevan City Council approved a full one mill increase at their meeting on Monday night.

The tax increase, which lifts the mill rate from 18.45 to 19.45 mills, is expected to generate an estimated $380,000 in additional revenues for the City of Estevan's coffers, and allow Council to retain some much-needed capital projects in its 2012 financial plan.

Four members of City Council - Mayor Gary St. Onge, and Councillors Chris Istace, Lynn Chipley and Dennis Moore - voted in favour of the mill rate increase. They argued that the property tax hike was needed to allow infrastructure projects, such as road repairs and sidewalk projects.

Councillors Roy Ludwig and Brian Johnson were opposed to a one-mill increase. They instead argued for a half a mill increase. Johnson said he hopes some of the mill rate increase will be used to pay off the City's debt.

Councillor Rodney Beatty was not in attendance.

Council also approved the continuation of the municipal health levy. Funds will be directed to Estevan's new regional nursing home. And they gave final approved for a utility rate increase.

Please come back to www.sasklifestyles.com later in the week for more on this story.