The Town of Okotoks is slowly proposing the 2017 budget as meetings have begun on what is in and what is out.

While nothing has been approved and won't be till the budget meeting in December, residents will see a slight increase in taxes.

CAO Elaine Vincent says the Town has the interests of Okotokians in mind during tough economic times.

"It's safe to say that administration received budget guidelines from council that basically said that you need to keep it within a two percent tax increase and you absolutely need to be respectful of the current economic conditions."

Currently the budget is waiting on the future of spending by the NDP government and Vincent says that is reflected in budget discussions.

"The risk of provincial funding is in question as well, the MSI grant that municipalities rely on is currently only funded until 2016 so we are all waiting on the 2017 announcement from the provincial government about what long term sustainable funding looks like."

Vincent says this coming budget will be fairly cut and dry with nothing too extreme when it comes to capital spending.

"We'll still have the water investments will still be investing in fire, we'll still be making sure that the roads are there and they're safe so that basic level of infrastructure will be there. Expect the basics, but more than the basics this is probably not the year that it will happen."

The budget meeting will take place at Okotoks Town Council Chambers on December 12 at 1 p.m.

Click here to find the Budget Agenda.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com