Seeking funding from the cities and RMs they support, a delegation from Envision Counselling and Support Centre spoke at Weyburn City Council last night.

"We have four offices operating out of Estevan, Weyburn, Carlyle, and Oxbow and over the past three years we've experienced a lot of government funding structure cutbacks," explained Executive Director Christa Daku. "Now, that has impacted us significantly within all of our offices. We have been able to operate to-date without any cutbacks or layoffs."

She and Tanya Andrist, resource development coordinator, explained to the council that Envision operated with a $60,000 deficit last year, now serving three times more clients than a decade ago.

"We saw over 3,000 clients within the southeast last fiscal year," shared Daku. "In 2007-2008, we averaged between 11 and 15 interpersonal violence and abuse clients. Right now we are averaging between 45 and 65 in Weyburn."

Councillor Dick Michel made a motion to match Estevan's recent funding, which was $1,000 a year over five years, however, it was voted down in favour of reviewing the sponsorship options before the upcoming annual budget.

Also during the meeting, the new youth council was voted in. They will have their first meeting after school on Wednesday.

(L-R) Councillor Jeff Richards and the new youth council members Ethan Nelson, Maya Knipfel, Landon Field, and Megan Ebel posed for a photo at City Hall along with Mayor Marcel Roy Monday evening (photo by Jennifer LaCharite).