The 2024 St. Andrew Financial Plan presentation took place on May 1.
St. Andrews CAO Brent Olynyk opened and led the meeting.
Towards the beginning of the presentation, Olynyk explained, “We’re looking to attract some new capital to the RM of St. Andrews so that we can have more revenue and have better things for the public to see and do in St. Andrews. We want to maintain and improve infrastructure, that’s challenging across the country roads, drainage, and those types of things. As the years go on, it’s hard to keep up with the challenges they represent. And then, community feedback and council priorities, we get a lot of feedback from our community and our council as priorities. Our council debates pleasantly with each other and works hard to find out what our priorities should be.”
Some considerations that Olynyk mentioned were part of their meetings included, expanding trails from the north to south in the RM, bringing the fire departments together under a public safety superintendent, they heard from feedback that by-law enforcement needed to be increased so they made a position to do that, and a water supply feasibility study was done and a partnership with the RM of St. Clements was mentioned in order to approach the plan regionally.
Some future projects that residents can look out for include a new soccer complex which the RM is working with a private group to bring to the region. There are also plans for a baseball diamond at the airport which will have sod turning starting soon with completion planned for 2025.
After some details about the RM’s population and physical size as compared to other RMs nearby, Olynyk passed the presentation over to CFO Tim Scammell.
The mill rate this year has increased by 2.99 per cent and is 10.265 and Scammell said that that reflected the inflation that we’ve experienced.
Olynyk then came back to explain all of the many services that residents receive thanks to their municipal taxes which include recreation, by-law, snow clearing, fire and emergency and much more.
Scammell and Olynyk explained the RM’s operating expenses and grants received in 2023 and 24.
From there, they spoke about future projects which include but are not limited to the Lockport active transportation and streetscape project, finishing up the Petersfield lagoon, and a study to look into possible recycling and garbage services for the RM, this will also have public consultation with community members.
Olynyk concluded the presentation by comparing St. Andrews’s taxes to other RMs in the area as well as the city of Selkirk and reminded residents that their taxes are due on Oct. 31, 2024, by 4:30 p.m. He also explained that residents should allow for 5 business days for online payments to go through.
Residents can view the RM of St. Andrews 2024 Financial Plan at www.rmofstandrews.com/p/financial-reports. Their YouTube video with the Financial Plan presentation can be viewed on their YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/watch?v=j043OVYLh9s.
