Gimli council announced last week it will be presenting its 2026 budget on April 15.
The RM posted a notice on its website saying copies of the financial plan (budget) will be publicly available for review on April 10.
People can access the budget through the RM’s website or in person at the municipal office on Second Avenue.
The public hearing for the budget will held on April 15 at 6 p.m. in council chambers.
Other council news:
– Council intended to give second and third reading to its new organizational bylaw and new procedures bylaw during its March 11 regular council meeting but decided to table the bylaws for further review.
The two new bylaws will be replacing council’s 2023 combined bylaw, the Council Organizational & Procedures Bylaw (No. 23-0010).
When asked why council is considering new organizational and procedures bylaws when the current bylaw is only a few years old, council spokesperson Christine Payne said council had reviewed the 2023 bylaw for currency and to ensure it aligned with best practices in municipal governance.
“As part of this review, council determined that separating the content into two distinct bylaws would improve clarity and transparency. One proposed bylaw would focus on procedural matters, such as meeting conduct, agendas, debate, voting and public participation, while the other would address organizational matters, including governance structure and administrative provisions,” said Payne.
“While the existing bylaw remains valid, separating these provisions would make council processes easier to understand for both council members and the public. The proposed bylaws were tabled to allow for additional review and refinement before any further consideration.”
Hyperlinked copies of the new proposed bylaws are under council’s March 11 agenda.
The new procedure bylaw (No. 26-0003) states that it will “provide for open and effective local government” by regulating meetings of council and committees, public participation and conduct, among other purposes.
One section addresses rules for electronic council meetings, committees and public hearings.
Council had previously indicated it intended to livestream council meetings, although so far only public hearings on the annual budget have been livestreamed.
The proposed procedure bylaw says council members “intending to participate electronically must notify the CAO” 24 hours in advance of the meeting. It implies council members must opt-in to an electronically held meeting.
The chair (mayor or designate) of an electronic meeting can pause proceedings for up to five minutes to address technical disruption, according to the bylaw. And public delegations “may” be allowed to participate “where feasible.”
Under the Delegations section of the bylaw, the chief administrative officer and the chair (mayor or designate) will determine whether the delegation request is “appropriate for council or committee consideration.” Delegations are not to be used as “complaint investigations” or “operational service meetings.”
The CAO, in consultation with the chair, may “refuse or defer a delegation where: the matter is before a court or tribunal, relates to active or anticipated legal proceedings, involves a matter already decided and no new information is offered, would unreasonably infringe privacy or confidentiality, or where the request is vexatious, repetitive or otherwise not conducive to orderly proceedings,” states the bylaw.
The proposed new organizational bylaw (No. 26-0002) establishes council committees, appointments to the committees and their duties and functions, as well as defines the roles of council and the administration.
The new bylaw proposes to establish two new standing committees — the Audit & Accountability Committee, and the Governance, Integrity & Conduct Committee — to support integrity, financial accountability and transparency.
Council is in the process of reviewing over 40 committees, intending to halve that number, according to former CAO D.J. Sigmundson (see Feb. 19 edition of the Express Weekly News online).
As the two new bylaws were tabled at council’s March 11 meeting, further amendments could be made to the final drafts.
• Council awarded a one-year fuel supply contract to Red River Co-op.
“Following a public tender process (RFT 2026‑02 Fuel Supply), which was advertised on MERX and the RM of Gimli website, five bids were received. After all applicable taxes, discounts and allocation refunds were factored in, Red River Co‑operative Ltd. was identified as the lowest bidder,” said Payne.
The contract runs from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
“The fuel supply contract primarily supports Public Works, including utility vehicles, fleet and equipment that utilize the bulk fuel system,” she added. “Recreation vehicles may also access the bulk fuel system as operational needs require.”
When asked if the fire department is included under the fuel supply contract, Payne said it is, although historically the department “has not regularly obtained fuel from the RM’s bulk fuel system.”
• Council was advised that the provincial Emergency Management Organization (EMO) is holding virtual regional wildfire seminars on April 14. 15 and 16 and that all municipalities are invited to attend.
• The Westshore Community Foundation advised council that it’s proposing the creation of the Gimli Community Endowment Fund to provide a source of funding support for recreation, culture and environmental stewardship, according to a March 11 Recap document posted on the RM’s website. Council will consider establishing the fund and determining an initial contribution.
• Council approved an application for a home-based computer and phone repair business called This Guy in the Vesturland neighbourhood. Council included conditions such as considerations for the hours of operation, parking and traffic.
• Council awarded a dust control contract to Fort Distributors, a limestone aggregate supply contract to Armstrong Construction and a gravel hauling contract to Armstrong Construction.
