The Rural Municipality of Roland approved its 2026 interim budget, adopted a new emergency plan and addressed lagoon maintenance, planning and administrative matters during meetings in November and December.
Council adopted an interim operating budget of $819,000 on Dec. 9 to fund municipal operations until the full 2026 budget is approved.
“Interim Budget is comparable to the interim budgets passed in other years, our full budget will be passed sometime in April.”
The largest allocations include $300,000 for transportation services, $250,000 for general government services and $125,000 for utility operations. Recreational and cultural services were allocated $44,000, while environmental health services received $39,000.
Council also approved the municipality’s 2026 Emergency Plan at its Nov. 10 meeting, with further updates expected as work continues.
“The Emergency Plan is currently undergoing an overhaul as we have a new Emergency Cooordinator as of Fall of 2025. The 2026 plan that was passed had just the required updates made ex: contact info, Director information etc.”
Lagoon maintenance was another priority, with council approving a sludge measurement survey and reviewing removal options.
“The survey was done and we met with the representative in the December meeting to discuss their suggestions. This is just preventative to maintain the lagoon.”
Planning and development decisions included approval of a variation to reduce the minimum site area requirement at 56/58 4th St. to allow a subdivision, along with a related application to consolidate three lots into two.
A second variation was granted to allow a reduced front setback for a deck at 55 2nd St.
Council also approved private drainage works applications from Kroeker Farms and Tom Menold, both subject to provincial licensing requirements.
In bylaw matters, council gave final approval to a bylaw increasing building permit fees.
Council also finalized employment contracts for non-union staff, including the chief administrative officer, administrative assistant and public works foreman.
At a special meeting Dec. 18, council approved posting for an interim chief administrative officer.
“The Interim CAO position was required as our CAO is on medical leave, we hired an interim CAO in January.”
Public works projects completed in 2025 included 11 miles of ditch cleaning, culvert replacements, road maintenance and upgrades to the Millennium walking path. Municipal staff also ordered a replacement lift station pump at a cost of $9,500 after equipment failure in December.
Council approved payments totalling $199,236.32 in November, along with $27,925.53 in payroll. In December, council authorized $1,656,543.33 in accounts and $27,146.04 in payroll.
