麻豆视频

A variance in the Estevan Police Service's budget generated plenty of discussion at the June 9 meeting of Estevan city council.

Chief Jamie Blunden and Deputy Police Chief Warren Morrical spoke to council about the matter, which has already been approved by the Estevan board of police commissioners.

Blunden said the EPS asked the police board regarding $256,000 in excess revenues from last year.

"But there was a number of factors that came into play, thinking that we were going to hold that into abeyance and put into a reserve fund to be able to spend in 2025 and cover off some of those items we were looking at," said Blunden.

Blunden pointed out the EPS received 46 per cent of its 2024 revenue in 2025.

"We, as an executive team, made a conscious decision not to spend that money until we had the final dollars, knowing the past practice, in the previous year, they had a reserve fund for the excess money that they had in the account."

Setting a reserve fund wasn't "palatable", Blunden said, so that money went into the general funds for the city as per the Police Act.

Blunden and Morrical requested more than $203,000 in items, which included vehicles and building maintenance. One vehicle to be replaced was written off in a collision with wildlife, and one of the vehicles the EPS is purchasing is not brand new.

Coun. Kirsten Walliser said the police board discussed future plans for vehicle replacements and how other city departments have an annual fleet renewal budget.

Coun. Brian Johnson said he doesn't like this practice, which he said was offsetting budgets from one year to the next.

"We're going to have to go out and borrow some more money, it appears, in order to pay for this expense at this time," said Johnson, who is concerned this might also affect other departments.

Blunden pointed out a small revenue excess of $27,000 for the police service was moved over from 2023. He added this won't happen again. There are three vehicles to be replaced. One vehicle to be replaced was written off following an animal strike, and one vehicle in not brand new.

The motion passed, with Coun. Johnson, Dave Elliott and Mathew Dubowski opposed.  

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Council received tax title tender reports for six properties: 905 Fourth Street, which is the former Estevan Hotel location, 937 George Street, which is the former home of Mid-City Plumbing and Heating; 915 Fourth Street, 508 Nesbitt Drive, 1225 Seventh Street and 1326 Sixth Street. The city received multiple bids for each property, with the exception of the Nesbitt Drive site, which received none.

For those that the city received offers, it could accept the highest bid, deny it or submit a counter offer. For the Nesbitt Drive property, the city will list it for sale in its inventory, rather than list it for sale by tender for a second time or own the property by paying the outstanding school portion of property taxes.

The selected bids were:

915 Fourth Street was sold to Nadia Winter for $16,000;

905 Fourth Street was sold to Tam Thile for $20,800. City tax assessor Trina Sieben noted that if the building remains, a proposal will have to be made to city council that will include a strategy on how the building would be restored for future use, including plans to meet code compliance for occupancy.

937 George Street was sold to T Bliss Nail Lounge for $150,000;

1225 Seventh Street went to Nadia Winter for $44,000; and

1326 Sixth Street was sold to Paul Rowe for $20,100.

Coun. Shelly Veroba noted in some cases, the same person submitted bids on multiple properties. She wanted to know if that person wanted all of them, or if they wanted just one. If that person withdraws, then the property would have to come back to council.

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Council approved the relocation of a building for an office space in the 400-block of Devonian Street. In his report, land development services manager Richard Neufeld noted the existing building is no longer suitable for use.

The relocation was approved with standard conditions, including that it not be a full-time residential property. It does include a small bedroom that could occasionally be used for sleeping quarters.

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During the inquires portion of the meeting, Veroba and Walliser reflected on their experiences at the recent convention for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Coun. Tom Mauss also attended.

Veroba said a lot of municipalities are facing the same challenges as Estevan. The mental health and drug issues facing each municipality were top issues. The rising cost of living, the challenge of replacing infrastructure and the need for provincial and federal governments to provide adequate funding were also discussed.

"Most communities have developed strategies that are assisting them to make strides in some of these areas, but there is so much more work to be done," said Veroba.

Walliser said it was likely the best convention she has ever attended. Attention was given to communities, regardless of their size, so that topics mattered to them and they could attend relevant workshops.

"Our first day there, we spent three hours talking about what information and disinformation look like, and how council and community leaders can work together to make sure that we are communicating effectively, and our community can pull together and make changes," said Walliser.