Karl Bergman

The meeting focused on the presentation and public hearing of the 2026 financial plan. Key topics included a review of the 2025 balanced budget, infrastructure priorities, community development projects such as the youth hub, and investments in local medical services. The council discussed the municipality's strategic planning framework, the Gimli Wetlands Initiative, and departmental updates covering recreation, operations, fire and rescue services, and communication strategies aimed at transparency and engagement.

The meeting was convened to present the 2025 financial plan, emphasizing the council's commitment to investing in the community's future. Key priorities include enhancing infrastructure, public works, and recreational amenities to ensure Gimli remains vibrant and welcoming. Discussions covered capital projects undertaken in 2024, such as water main renewals, road improvements, demolition of outdated structures, and investments in public safety, including new fire department trucks. The Recreation and Leisure department presented ongoing projects, including the GI Rec Center project, Trails Dancer Plan, fitness ed conceptual design, recreation campus and development plan, and the Gina youth hub, with a goal to complete or achieve substantial completion in 2025.

The Public Utilities Board approved the requested wastewater rates for the Gimli Wastewater Utility for the Rural Municipality of Gimli, varying the effective dates to April 1, 2025, and April 1, 2026, to align with the Utility's billing cycle and exclude retroactive rates. The approved rates include specific charges per cubic meter for wastewater, minimum quarterly charges, flat rate commodity charges per Residential Equivalency Unit (REU), flat rate quarterly bills, and rates for septic haulers both within and outside the RM. The Board reviewed and approved the revised allocation plan for shared costs but expressed concerns regarding the expenditure and revenue forecasts provided in the RM's rate study. The Board directs the RM to return to the Board as soon as possible to request revised Utility rates if the forecasted rate requirements are insufficient to provide for Utility expenses for 2024, 2025, or 2026. The Board requires the RM to review its water rates for the Utility for adequacy and file a report with the Board, as well as an application for revised rates (if required) on or before October 1, 2026.