Council for the Rural Municipality of Roland renewed its garbage and recycling contract, appointed an interim chief administrative officer and addressed several infrastructure matters during its Jan. 13 regular meeting.
Council renewed its curbside garbage and recycling collection agreement with Green Acres after both parties agreed to extend the contract.
Council also approved hiring Taxervice Inc. to manage tax arrears recovery on the municipality’s behalf for a three-year term. Under Manitoba’s Municipal Act, municipalities must conduct annual tax recovery proceedings. Reeve Chris Klassen and councillor Taya O’Brien were authorized to sign the engagement letter on behalf of the municipality.
In staffing matters, council voted to offer the position of interim chief administrative officer to John Blatz, with contract terms to be confirmed.
Council also approved adding Amber Klassen as a municipal signing authority.
Councillor Brent Hennan was appointed as the municipality’s representative on the Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation board for a two-year term beginning April 1, 2026, and ending March 31, 2028.
During the meeting, council gave second reading to By-law 2025-13 regarding a utility rate increase. The bylaw was amended to include a working capital contribution in the customer service charge, in accordance with guidelines from the Manitoba Public Utilities Board, and will be forwarded to the board for approval.
Public works reported replacing a sewage pump in lift station No. 1 at a cost of $12,404 and installing a new flow meter at the Roland pumphouse for $6,795 after the previous unit, nearly 45 years old, stopped providing accurate readings.
Crews also repaired water leaks in Roland and at a rural location in the municipality and completed winter maintenance, including snow clearing and street sanding.
Council also discussed hosting a Redboine Watershed District event scheduled for Feb. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m., which the municipality will help host and promote.
A building permit was approved for a 10-by-7.5-foot deck at 55 Second Street.
Council approved $188,310.16 in municipal accounts and $26,696.76 in payroll.
