Concerned Citizens Reach Out About Sale of Municipal Office

At the September meeting of the Municipality of North Cypress-Langford, councillors had a full agenda that ranged from rural policing updates to long-term planning decisions, including the proposed sale of the current municipal office building.

Rural Policing Update
Council welcomed Staff Sergeant Andrew Cowan, the new area commander for the Spruce Plains RCMP. Cowan is familiar with the region, having previously been posted in Neepawa in 2016, and took over the role from Colby Argue in May. Since then, he has been visiting municipalities across the detachment area to introduce himself and hear concerns directly.

Council’s main questions centred on staffing levels and rural crime rates. While three positions remain vacant within the detachment, Cowan said active efforts are underway to attract new members. Recruitment remains a challenge across the RCMP nationally, but incentives are being considered to bring officers into rural postings. He acknowledged that while rural crime rates have held relatively steady, they remain higher than desirable. Increased officer visibility, he noted, has been a useful deterrent and will continue as part of their strategy.

Dealing With a Deficit
Council also reviewed the recently received 2022 audit, which revealed a deficit of just under $500,000. The shortfall stems from a combination of uncollectible accounts and higher-than-anticipated costs for fuel and equipment repairs. A rejected Disaster Financial Assistance claim related to the 2023 fire was another significant factor, leaving the municipality to absorb those expenses directly.

Officials emphasized that addressing the deficit will not require new funds from taxpayers. Instead, it will be covered through transfers from the municipality’s accumulated surplus, which is maintained specifically for situations like this. While concerning, councillors noted that the municipality is still meeting requirements for surplus levels.

Planning Matters
Several planning issues also came before council. One item was once again tabled due to unresolved questions around potential ground contamination on a site connected to a retired scrapyard. The municipality has made it clear that no approvals will be granted until the province or landowners confirm there is no risk of contaminants leaching into the ground. The clock is ticking, however, as an extension granted for the work expires in October.

Another recurring challenge is the clash between agricultural operations and the growth of rural residential development. Setback bylaws meant to protect residents from nuisances like odours or noise often require variations or special accommodations, and this balancing act continues to be a common theme in council discussions.

Municipal Office Sale
One of the more widely discussed items has been the proposed sale of the current municipal office in Carberry. Notices of the sale prompted concern and some misinformation among residents. Council clarified that the listing was required under procurement policy after an unsolicited offer was received. Contrary to rumours, the municipality is not moving operations to Neepawa. Instead, the goal is to construct a new municipal office in a more central location within North Cypress-Langford. At present, the office sits on the southern edge of the municipality in Carberry, where the municipality pays property taxes to the town.

Municipal Open House
To address ongoing questions from ratepayers on this and other matters, council is considering hosting a municipal open house. A survey will be distributed to gauge interest and gather potential questions in advance. If there is sufficient support, the open house would likely be scheduled for late November or early December, giving residents a chance to meet council members directly and discuss concerns in a less formal setting.

Other Business
Council reports also touched on several smaller but noteworthy issues. The province is conducting additional traffic research around the PTH 1 and 5 intersection, including a six-day traffic count. Meanwhile, the municipality continues to deal with non-compliance cases involving derelict vehicles and neglected properties, which may soon require enforcement action.

Also on the agenda were a new stop sign policy, preparations for union negotiations, staffing updates, and a review of correspondence.

The meeting offered a mix of immediate concerns and longer-term planning, underscoring the balancing act of managing finances, infrastructure, and community expectations in a growing rural municipality.

Rrain Prior - Local Journalism Initiative