The Rural Municipality of St. Laurent council moved ahead with a series of policy updates, project reviews and board appointments during its regular meeting on Nov. 5, while also hearing several delegations on local services, enforcement and regional programming.
Chief administrative officer Billie Jean Oliver reported progress on tax collection, with 73.1 per cent of levied taxes received by the Oct. 31 deadline — an increase from the previous year.
“We have offered multiple ways in which the ratepayers can pay their taxes,” she said. “Aside from the previous methods –– online through their bank, cash, cheque or debit –– we’ve now included the e-transfers and credit cards as methods of payment. We’ve also advertised that we will be implementing the TIPP (time installment payment plan), which required taxes to be paid in full prior to qualifying for the services.”
She explained the TIPP program allows the municipality to automatically withdraw specified amounts from the ratepayer’s bank account on a monthly basis and that it is a budgeting tool that people are relying on to ensure payments are made on time, like many other automatic bill payment services.
In regard to tax payment, municipal staff have been training to use the MuniSoft software to digitalize services. Oliver added they are still in the preliminary stages of rolling the service out. They have been sharing information with ratepayers as they come to the office. Going forward, the municipality will be sending receipts out via MuniSoft by January 2026.
Council discussed the ongoing lagoon expansion planning, including financing options.
Oliver said lagoon financing is taking to account annual contributions to reserves as well as provincially and federally funded grants and addition to the continued collaboration with the Manitoba Water Services Branch (MWSB).
The lagoon is currently in the pre-design stages as the municipality, MWSB and MPE Engineering work together to the complete the Environmental Act Proposal –– a formal document that will be submitted to the Province of Manitoba for review and approval. Once completed, the RM will begin to work with the Crown Lands to purchase the property around the existing lagoon.
Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure officials met with council to discuss winter service agreements on provincial roads within the municipality as well discussed which road repairs need to be prioritized in next year’s budget.
“The prioritization comes from the foreman and his expertise,” Oliver said. “We are developing an asset management plan to identifying each road in the RM and the type of road, when the road was developed, what was done last and when. This allows us to create a maintenance plan to ensure that roads don’t become neglected.”
Council approved several resolutions, including updates to the financial policies and procedures manual, the municipal services standards roads and drainage policy and the community grant application policy.
The St. Laurent and District Recreation Commission will transition into an advisory board under the RM following a unanimous decision by the commission in late October.
The recreation director under the commission will be transition to an employee position and Oliver said there will be no changing of programming.
“Our recreation director does an amazing job ensuring that there are a variety of programs available for all ages,” she added.
The RM has hired an animal control officer who is aware of the current bylaws, policies and internal processes marking a smoother transition for staff. Oliver explained, based on interviews and discussions with the officer, she expects them to have a positive impact on the community from their education of the processes and procedures and the reasons that these regulations exist.
Economic development officer Denise Allard reported on multiple grant applications related to accessibility improvements. This includes installing a ramp at the library – – something that is extremely important to the RM’s long-term planning according to Oliver.
“This RM is an aging community and aging in place is a key focus of this council. Any project that we are working on that provides a service requires the accessibility lens be applied.”
She also noted growing inquiries related to donations for the library and museum, upcoming stakeholder sessions, and meetings with developers exploring housing and cultural site proposals.
Oliver said the municipality is trying to offer their support where ever it is needed, including with partnering with local organizations such as the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Assisted Living Centre.
“We are looking to continue to develop and strengthen these partnerships. We are willing to work with all community groups. Should any of the community groups have a project that they would like to see and requires the RM’s support, they can let us know in the office. We would be happy to help,” she added.
In other council news from Nov. 5:
• Representatives from the South Interlake Regional Library outlined upcoming library services, including a bookmobile visit scheduled for Nov. 20 and new library card availability for all RM ratepayers at the St. Laurent office.
• Council appointed Reeve Richard Chartrand and Sandra Chartrand to the South Interlake Regional Library Board in accordance with the municipality’s recently passed library services bylaw.
• A $200 charitable donation to support Christmas hampers was accepted and reallocated, and the municipality approved a $100 contribution to Manitoba Crime Stoppers.
• Council had a public hearing a variation application from residents Barbara and Mike Futros. The application, which sought to increase the permitted height of an accessory building from 15 to 20 feet for a storage structure on Wagon Wheel Road, was approved.
• Two new probationary members were accepted into the St. Laurent Fire Department, pending final checks. The department reported 53 calls to date in 2025, including recent alarms, vehicle collisions and an ambulance assist. Firefighters also participated in public education sessions and winterized equipment.
• Council endorsed continued weed control measures for 2026 through the Interlake Weed Control District and approved attendance for selected members at upcoming Association of Manitoba Municipalities and Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities meetings, along with several local community events.
• Council received confirmation that BellMTS will be installing a cell tower in St. Laurent with construction to commence spring of 2026.
