Rockwood residents will be paying more in taxes this year with an 8.38 per cent increase, which includes reserve fund contributions. The mill rate will be 8.51, compared to the 2025 rate of 7.852.
The RM of Rockwood’s 2026 budget also includes about $17,800,000 in revenue
In 2025, council decided to reduce the amount of money the municipality levies for reserve funds as a one-year strategy to reduce the impact to taxation. In 2026, the budget includes all the usual reserve levies to ensure the financial sustainability of the municipality.
“In Rockwood, the average single-family dwelling property has an assessed value of approximately $430,000,” said finance director Ashley Michaluk. “Based on this average and assuming there is no farm property to receive the school tax rebate, the average homeowner can expect to pay an additional $265 on their tax bill in 2026.”
Council recently passed the 2026 financial plan, which includes about $17.8 million in expenses. The bulk of the expenses will go toward fiscal services ($5.7 million or 32%), followed by transportation services ($4.9 million or 27%) and general government services ($2.2 million or 13%).
Transportation services relate to the RM’s operations department as well as road maintenance, drainage, street lighting and signage. General government service includes costs related to council and administration services, inter-governmental expenses, and conventions and training.
“The increase in this area of the budget correlates with investments in the updated municipal strategic plan, staff changes, election expenses, increase costs for insurance and legal, as well as upgrades to municipal software and improved cybersecurity practices,” Michaluk said.
“The municipality will be facing many changes in 2026, not only with potential changes from the election this fall but with the recruitment of a new CAO. We wish Chris Luellman all the best on his retirement, which is set for this summer.”
Other expenses include reserve transfers ($1.7 million or 10%), recreation and cultural services ($1.2 million or 7%), protective services ($990,897 or 6%), environmental health services ($934,000 or 5%), economic development services ($91,105), environmental development services ($67,000) and public health and welfare services ($8,241).
Protective services include firefighting services through the three departments that service the RM, as well as bylaw enforcement and animal control, emergency measures, 911 service costs and levies to support Handivan transit.
“The RM of Rockwood implemented the community safety officer program in 2025 and is continuing to invest in increased public safety for our communities,” Michaluk added.
One of the main highlights of the budget is $7 million toward the seniors’ housing complex, which will be borrowed against the aggregate reserve and externally funded debenture to be loaned to the Rockwood Community Development Corporation. The municipality obtained borrowing authority in 2025 for this project, which will be located in the Westridge Lakes Development in Stony Mountain.
“The RM will split the municipal contribution for this project in two series — $3 million is self-financed from the aggregate reserve and $4 million through an externally sourced debenture. The project consists of 50 suites, a large common area and commercial kitchen. The projected costs for this project are close to $15 million in partnership with Kenaston Developments,” Michaluk said.
“The municipality has formed a Community Development Corporation to oversee the municipality’s responsibilities to the project. Council’s main goal was to ensure that our residents have first access to seniors housing within our boundaries and do not have to move far from home. Plans are for construction to begin in the next couple months.”
Another $1.2 million will go toward the Stony Mountain life stations and force main, which is a continuation of the project that started in 2024.
“The RM is continuing to work on installing two lift stations and force mains to serve this area for future growth in this community — this has been an ongoing project since 2024 and due to unforeseen delays the project was not able to get completed in 2025. The RM of Rockwood chose to control the project to ensure that the project is completed to the RM’s specifications and to meet capacity for plans for future growth,” Michaluk said.
“The RM will upfront the costs from the Canada Community Building Fund but plans to charge back these costs to developers upon completion.”
Road work will continue, with $4.1 million going towards repairs of Propellant Plant Road (Road 75N). Phase 1 focuses on the realignment of the intersection at Road 10E to make it safer to enter the Stony Mountain Industrial Park. This phase is partially funded through grants and reserves.
“Two developers that benefit from this project have committed to contributing $350,000 each towards this project. This will be repaid back to the municipality upon completion, and that money will be put back into municipal reserves,” Michaluk said.
“Phase 2 of the Road 75N project will consist of much-needed repairs and construction work from the intersection at Road 10E and moving west up to the old railway bed. This phase of the project is funded through the Manitoba Gro Fund grant, the general reserve and the dedication fee reserve.”
The Stony Mountain community centre will see $348,000 in roof repairs, funded through grants and reserve funds.
In addition, $635,000 will go towards equipment replacement and facility repairs for the operations department, the fire departments and the municipal office building.
“At the end of 2026, the approximate total for all reserve funds will be close to $7.3 million,” Michaluk added.
“The municipality strives to maintain a total balance of all reserves at about $8M or more; that being said, a good portion of the draw-downs from reserves are temporary and the amounts will be repaid in the future.”
