The Rural Municipality of Dufferin council moved ahead on several administrative and infrastructure matters during its Nov. 18 regular meeting, granting first reading to a waterline connection borrowing bylaw, approving the 2026 interim operating budget, and confirming committee appointments for the coming year.
A public hearing was held for By-law 2043 regarding funding for 2025 waterline connections. The hearing closed without objection, and council later approved first reading. According to Chief Administrative Officer Sharla Murray, the bylaw formalizes work already completed late in the year.
“The by-law formalizes waterline connections completed at the end of 2025 and allows two properties to amortize the cost over a ten-year period through their property taxes,” Murray said.
Council also approved accounts totalling $2,939,362.97 after statutory requirements were met. Committee appointments for 2026 were adopted, with Deputy Reeve John Peckover continuing in his role. Reeve Cor Lodder and Peckover will serve on the executive committee, while Lodder remains the municipality’s representative to the Pembina Valley Water Cooperative, with Tyler Russell named as alternate. Appointments were also made across planning, watershed boards, heritage, recreation, waste management and community organizations throughout Carman, Roseisle and Graysville.
Council approved its 2026 interim operating budget, authorizing municipal spending until the full financial plan is finalized. Murray said the interim budget allows administration to maintain services while longer-term planning continues.
“The interim budget supports continued operations while Council reviews funding requests from local community groups and develops the 2026 budgets for joint departments shared with the Town of Carman,” she said. “Key areas of focus include planning for a Fire Hall expansion and advancing the Transportation Department’s 2026 budget, which includes moving forward with two bridge projects supported through provincial and federal funding programs.”
Council also designated 2025 as the tax sale year, meaning properties with unpaid taxes from 2024 or earlier may be offered for auction on Nov. 4, 2026.
In public works, council amended previous project work orders and approved several new ones across the municipality. A proposed tile drainage item for Corduroy Plains was tabled for further review, while a previous fuel supply resolution was rescinded to allow council to revisit vendor arrangements. Council also passed a resolution urging federal and provincial governments — along with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities — to provide compensatory support to agricultural producers affected by Chinese tariffs imposed in response to Canada’s electric vehicle trade policies.
The municipality approved a two-year fire protection agreement with the RM of Grey for 2026–27 and directed administration to proceed with unsightly property enforcement. First reading was granted to By-law 2044 to implement a 2026 pass-through water rate increase tied to Pembina Valley Water Cooperative pricing.
