Regina and the RM of Sherwood sign new deal on annexation

REGINA – After months of back and forth, Mayor Michael Fougere and the Reeve of the RM of Sherwood, Kevin Eberle, have finally come to an agreement on the annexation of land just outside of city limits.

The two sides have signed a deal that gave the city a little less land than what was in its original growth plan. Nevertheless, both parties are calling it a historic day.

“This is a great achievement. And for those that aren’t on the inside of how these things work, trying to bring two municipalities together with conflicting views and different election reasons and policies, is really a big accomplishment. ” said Kevin Eberle, the Reeve of the RM of Sherwood.

This new agreement will see the city paying the RM 15 times the amount the rural municipality has made in taxes this year for the area being annexed – that totals approximately $4.8 million. Another $700,000 will also be paid out to the RM of Sherwood for construction on Tower Road.

There are already a number of interested investors in the land the city will be acquiring.

“There are many people that have talked about investment around the city that want to be in the RM of Sherwood and the City of Regina that are looking for this leadership to solve the issue of annexation and land availability for residential, commercial, and industrial land,” said Mayor Michael Fougere.

The city will be cutting cheques for the RM of Sherwood on January 1, 2014, when the annexation is expected to begin.