Fire services, worker safety and economic development funding were among key items approved during the Rural Municipality of Grahamdale’s March 26 council meeting, while several major infrastructure projects remain on hold.
Council approved the next step of a storage building project for the Moosehorn Fire Department, awarding $6,500 to McMunn & Yates for engineered drawings, code review and certification. Additional site visits will cost $1,500 each.
The project is intended to support local fire operations, though timelines and total construction costs have yet to be finalized. Devan McCoubrey, assistant chief administrative officer, said the RM is still in the early design stages. A geotechnical study has been completed and the municipality is awaiting the report before proceeding with the engineered design.
McCoubrey said the building will be used for fire apparatus storage, adding construction must be substantially completed this year, with a new pumper truck expected in March 2027.
The project will be funded without debenture borrowing. McCoubrey said the RM carries no debenture debt and will use gas tax, provincial funding and its fire reserve.
Council also approved an increase to the annual safety allowance for public works and waste disposal ground staff, raising reimbursement to $300 per employee for CSA-approved steel-toed footwear or reflective clothing.
McCoubrey said the previous allowance was $200, with seven employees eligible. The change represents a $700 increase in the annual budget.
Council also committed $38,500 to the municipality’s Community Development Corporation (CDC) as part of its 2026 operating budget, supporting local economic development initiatives tied to a recently completed strategic plan.
The plan identifies priorities such as service retention, critical services, attracting residents, housing development, tourism marketing, facility use, First Nations partnerships, road improvements and business incentives.
McCoubrey said council has seen strong returns from previous CDC investments.
“Absolutely. Moosehorn Wayside Park, Gypsumville Wayside Park and the Steep Rock Wharf have collectively seen hundreds of thousands of dollars of investment through grant dollars received through the CDC in the last few years,” she said.
Council also approved payment of $11,119.20 to the West Interlake Watershed District for the 2026–27 levy, to be paid in two instalments, supporting regional water management and drainage initiatives.
Several larger infrastructure and regional projects remain in limbo.
Items related to the Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin outlet channels, the PR 239 upgrade, the Steep Rock drainage project and a proposed quarry request for proposals were tabled, along with multiple waste disposal and drainage initiatives.
Council also discussed drainage and road concerns in areas including Little Birch Lake Road and Sleeve Lake Road, and plans to open municipal drains ahead of spring.
Heading into runoff season, McCoubrey said the municipality is hoping for a slow snow melt to allow culverts to open and move water effectively.
Fire department updates highlighted continued activity and training. The Moosehorn Fire Department responded to a chimney fire, completed pumper truck repairs and participated in mutual aid coordination, while also unveiling its new logo. The Gypsumville Fire Department reported one call and ongoing training, including upcoming extraction courses.
Council approved sending members from both departments to the 2026 Fire & Life Safety Conference in Selkirk and the Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs conference in Steinbach.
In other business, council passed a new fees and charges bylaw and reviewed its campaign expenses bylaw with no changes required.
“Minor changes were made throughout, but the most significant one was the addition of the $200 permit fee for travel trailers,” McCoubrey said.
Council also approved attendance at a May 8 commemoration marking 15 years since the forced relocation of Lake St. Martin First Nation, and a June workshop on working with Indigenous communities.
“We see this workshop as an opportunity to build a stronger foundation for working with our neighbouring First Nations communities,” McCoubrey said. “We all operate our respective governments within a very small geographic area, and there is a lot of potential for partnership here. This workshop will hopefully help us gain a better understanding of how to approach these relationships and allow the RM of Grahamdale to become a better partner as we move forward.”
