Barrier Valley Rural Municipality No. 397

The council meeting addressed several operational and emergency items. Actions included approving financial activity statements and bank reconciliations, and authorizing the payment of various accounts. The council approved a service authorization for bridge girder fabrication inspection and acknowledged a recently issued building permit. A resolution was passed to apply for designation under the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program due to recent flooding damage. Other items included approving withdrawals from the Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance program, authorizing a highway maintenance contract, and scheduling dust control applications. Additionally, the council accepted a retirement, approved advertising for a new municipal worker, and authorized councillor attendance at a division meeting. Finally, the council formally extended a declaration of local emergency by one week to address ongoing flooding and infrastructure damage.

The council meeting addressed several operational and financial matters, including the acceptance of financial statements and bank reconciliations, and the approval of accounts for payment. Key actions included acknowledging the 2025 Annual Monitor Report for the transfer station, authorizing a road maintenance grant funding agreement, and approving the 2026 Fire Protection Budget and municipal budget. The council also set the 2026 municipal mill rate and adopted bylaws regarding mill rate factors and tax incentives and penalties. Other business included authorizing a road haul agreement, distributing Celebrate Canada grant funding, approving staff travel to an upcoming regional meeting, ordering promotional items, allocating funds for children's prizes, and scheduling staff holidays. Additionally, the council reviewed various pieces of administrative correspondence.

The council reviewed and accepted financial statements and bank reconciliations and approved a list of accounts for payment. Key project decisions included awarding the contract for the Barrier Lake Narrow Bridge to Harbuilt Construction Management Ltd., authorizing a capital project funding agreement, and acknowledging receipt of a New Horizons Grant for outdoor workout equipment. The council opted out of the 2026 Provincial Spring Road Restriction Program, authorized a road haul maintenance agreement, and acknowledged receipt of the 2025 audit report. Further administrative and operational actions included updating the Tangible Capital Asset policy, selecting a culvert supplier for 2026, appointing a swimming instructor, and issuing community event permits. Additionally, the council approved equipment purchases, membership in the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association, and a donation to the Town of Tisdale for regional recreation, while also addressing holiday leave requests for staff.

The council declared a local state of emergency due to significant flooding, severe washouts, and structural damage occurring within the municipality. This declaration was made to facilitate prompt action to protect the safety, health, and welfare of residents and to prevent further property damage.

The council reviewed and accepted the statement of financial activity and bank reconciliations for January, approved accounts for payment, and authorized an application for an SGI grant for a walking path. Key actions included approving a road haul maintenance agreement, acknowledging the receipt of an annual landfill monitoring report, appointing a delegate for the Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance annual meeting, and resolving interest reversals due to mail issues. The council approved a donation for a memorial tournament, authorized staff attendance at a professional workshop, renewed membership in the Hudson Bay Route Association, and addressed issues regarding snow pushing across roads. Additionally, the council approved holiday requests for staff, agreed to host Nut Lake Watershed meetings, implemented a working alone policy, established signing authorities for the year, and reviewed general correspondence.