Near the end of March, the RM of Stanley unveiled their 2025 Financial Plan. Their presentation, which can be found here, outlines some of the highlights and investments the RM has focused on for the year.
Budget highlights for 2025
Among the major projects outlined in the plan, the standouts are the continual focus on road improvements, the regional wastewater facility construction, sewer infrastructure for the Boundary Trails Health Centre, the low-pressure sewer infrastructure for the Reinfeld and Schanzenfeld villages, hiring of additional staff with a focus on drainage projects, and the community pathway linking the cities of Morden and Winkler.
For Ike Friesen, Reeve for the RM of Stanley, the projects that have him most excited are ones a person may not think of immediately.
“The wastewater is actually, it might not be exciting for everyone, but it’s a big project that we’ve been working on for a lot of years and it’s good to see it coming to where we will soon be able to provide.”
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Revenue and expense breakdown
Expenses
The 2025 budget reflects an increase in operating expenses, which are expected to rise by $484,000 (6.1%). A breakdown of these increases as provided by the RM of Stanley, includes:
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Wages & Remittances: $145,000
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Recreation: $37,000, which includes agreements with the Cities of Winkler and Morden
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Recycling Program: $30,000
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South Central Regional Library: $11,500
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Road Maintenance and Upgrades: $223,000
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Grants to Support Local Non-Profit Organizations: $18,500
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Adjustments for Inflation: $19,000
Reeve Friesen shared that, “Our operating expenses have gone up just like everyone is experiencing. Things like our insurance, our road gravel, our dust proofing, culverts. All of those things are getting more expensive.”
Revenue
The RM of Stanley is expecting an increase in municipal revenue this year, with a projected rise of $418,000 or a 3.75% rise from last year.
“It was a reassessment year, which is done by the assessment branch, so then our revenue overall does increase through that.”
According to the report, there has been a decrease in provincial grants received, amounting to $648,000.
As a result, property owners can expect to see a property tax increase of 3.5% in the coming year.