Council for the Rural Municipality of Roland advanced several infrastructure, financial and administrative items at its Oct. 14 regular meeting. The agenda and Sept. 11 minutes were approved, and no public hearings were held.
Council continued discussions on land donated by the local Tractor Club, agreeing to seek public input before determining future use. A tax relief request from the Roland Store was reviewed in-camera and tabled.
Public Works Foreman Don Roy reported ongoing ditching work, completion of rural mowing, fall lagoon draining and recent water-meter readings. Crews repaired three water leaks, removed hazardous trees on 2nd Street and replaced a culvert on Road 21W at 29N. Two properties showed elevated results in this year’s lead testing and will continue to be monitored. Council also noted renewed deterioration on the repaired bridge on Road 17W north of 20N. Refurbishment of the Roland walking path is expected to begin Oct. 20, and council accepted a quote from Bell Electric to install a generator plug at the fire hall.
Councillor reports highlighted concerns about road conditions, gravel quality, drainage issues, hall renovation complaints and dirt clumps in ditches. CAO Taya O’Brien said the municipality has already made changes in response to this year’s gravel challenges. “We have changed our gravel supplier and pit this year. The gravel we received has more clay than in the past. The gravel was tested and fit within what is acceptable, it is just different than what was applied from previous years. The hope next year is to have gravel applied before the fall, or when it won’t be so wet right after application.”
Other updates referenced PVWC finances, new doctors joining the regional health board, CANOE purchasing discussions and meetings regarding lagoon planning.
Council approved financial statements to Sept. 30 and authorized a silent-auction donation valued at up to $100 for the Red River Basin Holiday Gala. Supplementary tax additions and deletions for 2025 were also approved.
A major item involved longstanding Roland Utility deficits. Council voted to request approval from the Manitoba Public Utilities Board for audited deficits totalling $678,294 from 2016 to 2024. O’Brien said the deficit reflects rising water-supply costs and outdated rate structures. “Pembina Valley Water Coop costs rise every year. A proper water rate study has not been done in Roland for quite some time. An increase in water for Roland residents has not happened since 2021, or any pass through increases. We were paying more for water than we were collecting, causing deficits.”
The PUB application proposes recovering a portion of the deficit through a three-year rate rider beginning April 1, 2026, with the remaining amount covered by accumulated surplus. First reading was also given to Utility Rate Bylaw 2025-13, which would set water rates for 2027–29 pending PUB approval.
Council confirmed the Dec. 2 tree-lighting event, tabled non-union wages and approved applying to the Manitoba Growth, Renewal & Opportunity Grant for Memorial Hall renovations. Administration was authorized to consult legal counsel regarding a potential Ombudsman investigation, though O’Brien later clarified, “The Ombudsman case was opened and closed shortly after. Nothing came out of it, Council was not involved.”
O’Brien also provided an update on fire department fundraising. The planned New Year’s Eve social has been cancelled, with council shifting to new events. “We ended up cancelling the NYE social. Instead we are going to have a fundraising Gala on April 18. We are also hosting a Chase the Ace every Thursday in the near future, we are just waiting for licensing,” she said. “We have never hosted events like this prior, so it’s hard to say what we expect to raise. All funds will go towards a new Roland Fire Custom Pumper. We are in the process of getting quotes but council hopes to fundraise a large sum for the truck, and the other portion will come from reserves. Again, this is in early stages of planning.”
Council authorized payment of $146,967.09 in accounts and $29,622.31 in payroll.
