Calling all potential council candidates.
The RM of Rockwood will host a pre-election information seminar, presented by Way to Go Consulting Inc., for prospective candidates.
Attendees will have chance to learn what to expect if elected, ask questions and connect with others who are interested in serving their community. The information session aims to help potential candidates to better understand the role and responsibilities of council. Refreshments and networking opportunities are also provided.
The free event will take place on July 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the RM of Rockwood office at 285 Main St. in Stonewall. Attendees can reserve their seat by emailing stacey.goodwill@rockwood.ca or calling 204-467-2272.
In other council news:
• The RM of Rockwood is requesting that the Public Utilities Board approve an operating deficit for the Balmoral Utility, which will be recovered through accumulated working capital surplus. The Balmoral Utility had incurred a $97,752 operating deficit in 2024, and it also had a $347,869 working capital surplus the same year.
Municipal utilities are required to maintain sufficient revenues to cover operating costs, debt obligations, reserve contributions and future infrastructure needs. Two financial indicators commonly reviewed during utility rate studies and annual financial reporting are operating deficit (or operating surplus) and working capital surplus (or deficiency).
“An operating deficit indicates that the utility did not generate sufficient revenue during the year to cover the costs of providing service. A working capital surplus exists when current assets exceed current liabilities. This surplus provides the utility with cash flow flexibility to pay bills, respond to emergencies and manage timing differences between receiving revenues and paying expenses,” said utility administrator Teresa Taplin.
“The Public Utilities Board and the RM of Rockwood Utility Department continue to work together with utility rate studies, which evaluate both operating performance and working capital levels when determining whether utility rates are sufficient and sustainable.”
• For the 2026 dust control program, the cost will be $565 per 100-metre site. Additional metres will cost $5.65 apiece.
• The June 10 council meeting was rescheduled to Wednesday, June 17 at 9 a.m. in the council chambers.
• The RM of Rockwood hosted an appreciation lunch for the operations and utilities department staff during Operations and Utilities Appreciation Week at a cost of $600.
• Council conditionally approved two initiatives proposed by the Interlake Offroad Club. The first project involves realigning and developing the trail approach and staging area next to Provincial Road 236. The second project involves rerouting the trail and building a Waterford crossing at the Netley Creek abandoned bridge site north of Road 100N. In order to proceed, the projects need to receive all the required approvals and meet all the conditions of the provincial government.
• The operations department will replace all the existing trail barriers along the Rockwood Rail Trail in 2026. For future years, the RM will bring forward a new agreement with the Interlake Regional Snowmobile Association to outline responsibilities for barrier replacement, maintenance, seasonal placement and compliance with municipal requirements. The RM will forward the costs to the snowmobile association.
• An RM of Rockwood representative will display a grader at the Stonewall Children’s Centre’s Touch-A-Truck fundraising event, which will take place at the South Interlake Rockwood Agricultural Society grounds on June 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, council supports an RCAF aircraft to land a helicopter for static display as well as to potentially do a flyby as low as 500 feet.
• The RM of Rockwood will donate $1,000 to Madeline’s Closet’s first annual golf tournament, which will take place on Aug. 8 at the Teulon Golf and Country Club.
• Council defeated a resolution for council and the CAO to attend a council orientation bootcamp, facilitated by Ernie Epp of Way To Go Consulting Inc., on Nov. 18 to 20 at Larters Golf & Country Club at a cost of $330 per person.
• Council authorized the participation of two teams in the 21st Annual Ralph Eichler Charity Golf Tournament, which will take place on June 12 at the Teulon Golf and Country Club.
• The RM entered into an agreement with the Town of Teulon for bylaw enforcement services and duties in the Town of Teulon.
• The RM will enter into a subdivision agreement with Mountain Ridge Park Developments.
• The RM of Rockwood is applying a $3,239.25 credit to the utility bill for the Stony Mountain Child Care Centre. The childcare centre contacted the municipality after receiving large utility bills for the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2025. The RM contracted a plumber who determined that a mechanical leak occurred during construction of the childcare centre in the fall of 2025. In addition, council authorized a $115 credit to a ratepayer who had a large water bill due to an outdoor tap being turned on without their knowledge.
• Council passed third reading of a bylaw related to getting a $7-million loan for the municipality’s Community Development Corporation.
• Council passed first reading of a bylaw to establish a special service rate for curbside waste pickup in the townsites of Grosse Isle, Stony Mountain, Argyle, Balmoral, Komarno and the Stonewall trailer court. The current rate for residential dwellings for 2026 is $230 per year. The anticipated proposed rates for 2027 and 2028 are $211.25 and $224.10, respectively. The current rate for commercial businesses for 2026 is $460 per year. The anticipated proposed rates for commercial businesses for 2027 and 2028 are $422.50 and $448.20, respectively.
• The RM of Rockwood awarded a total of $36,824.64 in grants to community organizations, initiatives and events that provide benefits to residents. Through the annual grant intake process, the RM also received requests to fund two initiatives that would improve municipal infrastructure. Since these requests didn’t fit within the eligibility criteria for the grant program, council decided to cover them through the recreation reserve fund. Gunton Greenwood Community Hall will receive up to $50,000 toward asbestos removal and renovations. The Argyle Skating Club will receive up to $30,000 toward the construction of a new warmup building for the outdoor skating rink.
• Council approved the awarding of the Propellent Plant Road (75N) reconstruction project to Maple Leaf Construction at a cost of $3.6 million plus taxes.
• Rockwood residents have the chance to take a short survey related to strategic plan. The survey is available at www.surveymonkey.com or on the RM of Rockwood’s website at rockwood.ca. The survey closes on June 25.
• The RM of Rockwood is looking for volunteers to help with the Oct. 28 municipal election. Compensation is available. For more information, email roberta.vancaeyzeele@rockwood.ca or call 204-467-2272.
• The Public Utilities Board approved the amalgamation of the Balmoral and Gunton water and wastewater utilities. The current minimum quarterly charge is $138.75 in Balmoral and $106.45 in Gunton. The proposed minimum rates would be $125 in Year 1, $121.98 in Year 2 and $122.74 in Year 3. Balmoral’s rates were last approved in 2025 and effective Jan. 1, 2025, while Gunton’s rates were last approved in 2024 and effective Jan. 1, 2025. Comments and questions about the RM’s application for water and wastewater rates can be provided at pubmanitoba.ca by June 22.
