The Town of Stonewall has applied to the Public Utilities Board for revised water and wastewater rates. The current rates have been in effect since Jan. 1, 2025.
If approved, the quarterly service charge would remain unchanged at $22.50. Water per cubic metre would rise to $1.09 from the current rate of $1.04. Wastewater per cubic metre would rise to $0.95 from the current $0.91.
The minimum quarterly charge would rise to $50.33 from $49.10, while wastewater only customers would pay a minimum quarterly charge of $72.97, up from $70.85. The wastewater disposal tipping fee per cubic meter would rise to $4.70 from $4.50.
An emergency lagoon dumping fee, outside of regular operating hours, would be $75 per instance.
“We go through this process every year,” said CAO Wally Melnyk.
Details of the application are available at the town office. Any comments or concerns can be shared at www.pubmanitoba.ca by Jan. 6.
In other council news:
• Stonewall resident Dean Fuller is being inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame in May 2026. The town will buy a one-page ad for $150 in the induction banquet program to congratulate Fuller.
• Council hosted a public hearing and gave first reading to a proposed special services plan for curbside waste and recycling as well as for special urban services. The proposed waste management levy would increase by $14.25 (8.3%) in 2026 and $9.68 (5.2%) in 2027.
• Council also hosted a public hearing and gave first reading for a proposed special services plan for special urban services. On Jan. 1, 2024 five quarter-sections of land came under the control of the Town of Stonewall after a six-year process with the RM of Rockwood. The town and RM have a formal agreement that outlines how taxes and services are addressed between the two municipalities after the annexation.
For properties in the annexed area, the town committed to not raise taxes for services that aren’t provided. The town’s at-large “catch-all” mill rate would reflect the RM’s at-large mill rate as best as possible. The town’s urban services levy would offset the cost of some of the services that aren’t being provided to the annexed lands or are being funded outside of taxation, such as street lighting, snow removal and parks and arena services. The difference between the two municipalities is about $478,000, which will be moved from the town’s at-large mill rate to the urban special services levy.
As a result, the urban services levy will based on the current projected 2026 assessment of 1.083 mills. There is an additional line item on tax notices, but there is no financial impact.
• Council gave first reading to a bylaw to authorize the expenditure and borrowing of $425,000 for a roadwork project to upgrade about 560 metres of Limestone Bay from gravel to asphalt.
• The federal government has imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, which resulted in reciprocal tariffs from China on agricultural products from Canada, including canola seed, pork and seafood. The Town of Stonewall is joining other municipalities in asking the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to lobby the federal and provincial governments for compensation for affected agricultural and related food products in line with those made to support the automotive industry.
• Council accepted a $5,200 quote from Crosier Kilgour to complete an assessment for repairs to the bridge and stairs at the Heritage Arts Centre as well as the lake concession. The deteriorating infrastructure could pose a safety concern, so the town the assessment will identify the need for structural repairs.
• Council approved the next steps for the development of the age-in-place campus from Braid Solutions, including site remediation. Manitoba Hydro owns a piece of land to the east of the site that supports their main distribution line access to Stonewall. The town needs Manitoba Hydro’s permission to acquire a portion of the lands to align the future road and service corridor. Braid Solutions and town administrators have negotiated an agreement with Manitoba Hydro for joint planning of the road and service corridor. Council authorized the land acquisition.
“We’re one step closer,” Mayor Sandra Smith said.
• Citizen representatives have been appointed to the town’s 2027 board of revision: Glenn Leskiw, David Cassidy, David Kalnuk, Lockie McLean and Susan Scrivens. Leskiw will be the presiding officer, and the town’s corporate services manager will be the secretary. Each member will receive remuneration equivalent to paid members of council with a minimum of $110.
• Council approved an offer to purchase agreement between the Town of Stonewall and Imperial Oil for a property located on 4th Street East.
“When the most recent renovation and expansion to the current fire hall occurred, there was a commitment made to look at space for a new facility before the next upgrade was necessary. While the existing building is not in immediate need of replacement, the Stonewall Rockwood Fire Department is increasingly limited by space as its operational demands continue to grow,” said town administration. “In response, the department identified several potential locations for a new facility, with the parcel of land on 4th Street East emerging as one of the leading candidates. Although further assessment is required before confirming the site’s suitability, town administration said it was important to secure the land as an essential step in allowing due diligence to continue. Additional evaluations will be done in the months ahead before determining whether the 4th Street East property will become the future home of the community’s fire hall.”
• Council approved subdivision file for phases 10 to 15 of Quarry Ridge Park.
“A development agreement to address matters including but not limited to site service, drainage, roads, sidewalks, landscaping, design standards and capital lot levies was a condition of the site approval,” Smith said.
• Council is nominating Quarry Park manager to be Manitoba’s representative on the board of directors for the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association.
“Kelly Kimball possesses the strength, qualifications, knowledge and experience that would allow her to success in this vital liaison role in the parks and recreation sector,” Smith said. “It would be good to have her on the national stage representing not only Manitoba but the Town of Stonewall.”
Coun. Walter Badger echoed similar sentiments.
“She would make a great rep, that’s for sure,” he said.
• The 2026 Communities in Bloom theme will be “therapeutic gardening,” which recognizes the restorative power of green spaces to nurture the mind, body and spirit.
• Council approved the annual adjustment to indemnity payments, which is based on the cost of living allowance calculated by the Consumer Price Index for Manitoba. As of Oct. 31, 2025, the yearly Consumer Price Index is three per cent. As a result, the mayor’s indemnity for 2026 will be $24,740, up from $24,010 in 2025. The deputy mayor’s 2026 rate will be $21,960, up from $21,320. Councillors will get $18,180 in 2026, up from $17,650 in 2025. The daily per diem will rise to $230 from $220. In addition, citizen members will receive a 2026 hourly rate of $28.75, up from $27.50.
