***Original published in South Mountain Press, January 18, 2019***
Reeve’s Resolutions for 2019
As the calendar rolls over from the old year, the budgets of Rural Municipalities conclude and Councils begin detailed discussions on 2019 spending priorities. The Reeves of Clanwilliam-Erickson, Victor Baraniuk, and Harrison Park, Jason Potter, graciously spent time with me to go over their plans, priorities, and visions for their respective RMs for the coming year.
Q. Budget time is right around the corner and specific dollar amounts will have to be decided upon. Could you list and elaborate on your Council’s main priorities for 2019?
Reeve Baraniuk – The single, most pressing issue facing the Clanwilliam-Erickson Council this year will be roads and infrastructure. In the rural areas, the roads are in poor shape and they are in sore need of gravelling, grading, and mowing. There will be a marked increase in the road budget compared to previous years. Then in Erickson, there are street repairs that are calling for our attention. Also, obviously due to the season, we need to keep on top of snow clearing.
Reeve Potter – The Council of Harrison Park will be spending most of our energies this year on connecting as many of our citizens as possible to the water and sewer systems, particularly in Onanole and Sandy Lake. Although about one third of the RM’s budget will be allocated to road maintenance, in general our roads are in good shape. In fact, the Manitoba Good Roads Association recently awarded Harrison Park with their ‘Class 1 Best Maintained System of Rural Municipality Roads Capital One Shield’.
Q. What projects, new or on-going, are going to hold the attention of Council this year?
Reeve Baraniuk – One of the main projects the Council will have to decide upon will be the final disposition of the Four Winds Environmental Management partnership. Council is still in the process of exploring options which will determine if we remain in the partnership or go with another waste solution whether alone or with a partner. For example, we have been looking at proposals from Evergreen Environmental Technologies near Franklin and Municipal Waste Management Environmental (MWM) of Souris. Evergreen would be a relatively short extra distance to transfer our waste compared to the original Four Winds site over on the PTH 250. MWM has attractive tipping fees. Ultimately, Council will have to decide what will be the best option for our ratepayers over the long term. More meetings are planned for February and we will keep the public apprised of our progress.
In addition to the RM’s waste issues, we want to keep working on Erickson’s skating and curling rinks, the campgrounds, RV Park, and our area’s appeal to tourists. Longer term we need reasons and employment for young people to settle in the area in order to ensure the RM’s continued vitality.
One of the significant parts of Erickson’s appeal is derived from our airport. The RM, in cooperation with MLA Greg Nesbitt, is in the process of applying for a $1.2 million grant in order to repave the 3000 foot runway.
Reeve Potter – As you know, the ratepayers of Harrison Park delivered an emphatic ‘No’ to the original proposed siting of the Four Winds Waste Management facility in our RM. We are still committed to the project and exploring if another suitable site can be found. Meanwhile, we will keep our options open and see if there are other solutions that make better fiscal sense for our constituents.
Meanwhile, Council will be working on recycling and composting initiatives, beautification projects, and youth-friendly facilities such as parks and ball diamonds.
Although there were plans to move the RM offices over to a new facility, Council is going to shelve that for the time being. We did not feel that it would be a wise use of taxpayer funds to pay for costly renovations at this point. Therefore, the old Onanole Westoba Credit Union building slated for the project has now been put up for tender.
Longer term, we want to hire a Community Development professional to assist with the RM’s development needs and planning. Our RM is fortunate to be in good shape financially and I am loath to propose any tax hikes for future projects. It would be preferable to bring in more businesses and people in order to expand the tax base. But our community is particularly concerned that development blends in with the natural environment. We want to avoid another debacle such as the recent ‘Meadow’ proposal which received so much public backlash.
Q. Although there are the usual challenges such as road or infrastructure maintenance, can you foresee any speedbumps ahead for your Council for 2019?
Reeve Baraniuk – At last November’s Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) Convention, Premier Pallister essentially told the delegates that the Province has no more money for RM infrastructure spending. For example, our RM used to receive about $60,000/year in provincial infrastructure grants. This year’s figure will only be $1,300. Also, I am very concerned that the Province seems to be ignoring the AMM’s Mill Rates and Farmland Assessment Resolutions. The provincial assessment process as it stands puts undo and unfair strain on RMs and their ratepayers who have to deal with high fluctuations of taxes. Plus farmers are getting hit hard as their land values have dramatically increased without a commensurate increase in their farm receipts.
Also, one unique issue that will be causing the Council headaches will be the local beaver population plugging up culverts. It is very expensive to clear a clogged culvert and the area has lost their traditional trappers who used to keep the beaver population in check.
Reeve Potter – Word from the Province is do not expect monetary assistance from us. The RM is fine for now from a budget standpoint but we would like to keep working on creating a positive business, tourism, and living environment that will attract and keep a diverse community.
One challenge for all the new Council members will be the budgetary process itself. Four special budget meetings will be taking place to hammer out the fine details but we will have to rely on staff expertise for guidance.
Q. Do you have a 2019 message to your Municipalities?
Reeve Baraniuk – Amalgamation of the Clanwilliam and Erickson Municipalities was tough. It is difficult to balance the disparate needs of our rural and urban communities. I will be working diligently to ensure that I create a fair balance between all the people that I represent.
Reeve Potter – The Council and I are committed to being open and transparent. We welcome and are actively seeking input from our ratepayers. Also, as a professional body, we will not be playing fast and loose with the tax dollars. In the past, there were too many verbal or ‘handshake’ Municipal agreements. Future RM dealings will all be in writing in order to avoid misunderstandings or confusion.
Blair is a personification of a ‘Jack of All Trades and Master of None’. He has held several careers and has all the T-shirts. Time to add the title Blogger to the list.