The Rural Municipality of Dufferin council approved its 2024 consolidated financial statements and gave final reading to borrowing for the McEachern Bridge replacement at its Oct. 21 regular meeting.
Council approved a series of previous minutes, including recreation, protective services, executive committee, committee and special council meetings from September and October. It also passed accounts totalling $1,372,260.70, with all statutory requirements reported as fulfilled. An additional supplementary tax listing for 2025 showing a net decrease of $950.35 was adopted.
Council further approved the 2024 consolidated financial statements dated Dec. 31, 2024, transferring a $39,159 general operating surplus to the general reserve and a $2,546 utility operating surplus to the utility reserve. CAO Sharla Murray said the reserve transfers support long-term planning. “The Reserve Transfers will assist the council in future years to mitigate mill rate increases and therefore taxes, every little bit helps,” she said.
Council approved $241 in delegation expenses for staff and officials and authorized a 48-month extended warranty for the 2025 John Deere 6M 180 tractor at a cost of $5,753 plus taxes. A fuel update through Canoe was received and tabled.
Bylaw 2040, providing for the expenditure and borrowing of funds for the McEachern Bridge (Road 22W bridge replacement) capital project, received second and third reading. The borrowing bylaw passed unanimously on a recorded vote, allowing the project to proceed. Murray noted the project is supported through multiple funding streams. “The McEachern bridge was funded through the Canada Community Building Fund and the Manitoba Growth and Renewal Opportunities for Municipalities (Manitoba GRO) Program. The bridge will be tendered early in the new year with the work to be completed this winter and into spring,” she said.
Council appointed Les Vanderveen and Debbie Iverson to the Carman Community Health Centre board for a three-year term from January 2026 to December 2028. Councillors also dealt with several unfinished items, including approving a $100 donation to the Carman-Dufferin Fire Department Training Ground in memory of Dennis Bell and authorizing a tile drainage proposal from Evan Harder to slope the sides of the ditch on the east side of 12-7-6WPM.
Under new business, council approved a credit of 40,000 gallons to Michelle and Oliver Devos’ water account for their third-quarter bill. Council also discussed Meadowood Estates’ ongoing lack of a cook and noted that meals are being delivered by Handivan to Parkview and Legion Riverview. Amalgamation and joint administration of departments were discussed, with no resolutions made.
Council reviewed several reports and correspondence items, including updates from the Pembina Valley Water Co-op, a drought and water availability report, stakeholder meeting minutes from Carman and area and a recreation mowing estimate. Councillors also received the latest bulletins from the Association of Manitoba Municipalities and the province.
With several major conferences approaching, Murray outlined what the municipality hopes to gain from the upcoming gatherings. “We have requested meetings with the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister of Environment and Climate Change and are looking forward to hearing about the Manitoba Government Q&A in the Bear Pit Session, they are always interesting to participate in,” she said.
Upcoming items included the 2026 council and committee meeting schedule, the Dec. 12 RM holiday party, the 2025 AMM conference, watershed and Red River Basin Commission events and a sewer options session with Samson Developments on Oct. 23.
