ELK POINT – Elk Point town council’s second delegation at the April 14 meeting was MNP LLP partner Benji Waser with the completed audit of the Town’s 2024 financial information return, which he declared “a clean audit” with no issues to be dealt with, after going through the details of the year’s transactions.
With the previous year’s finances taken care of, it was on to 2025, and decisions regarding the 2025 mill rate.
With $1,720,805 in operating revenue required in addition to $366,709 in principal debt repayment, an adjusted 2024 school Requisition of $557,463, designated industrial property requisition of $254 and MD Foundation requisition of $193,370 required and a total assessment base of $143,662,650, council had discussed options ranging from 1.5 per cent to 2.0 per cent for this year’s increase, following discussions at the April 9 council meeting. They were in agreement with an increase of 1.75 per cent, which would give the Town a $7,132 cushion to transfer to Land Reserves for unexpected expenses or future development.
The Town’s 2025 mill rates will be as follows:
Residential and Farm Land – 10.79 mills
Non-Residential – 23.69 mills
Non-Residential Linear – 23.69 mills
Non-Residential Vacant – 26.16 mills
Machinery and Equipment – 23.69 mills
This reflects a small increase from the Town’s 2024 mill rates, which were 10.60 mills for Residential and Farm Land, 23.28 mills for Non-Residential and 25.71 mills for Non-Residential Vacant.
Funding request
A funding request for the Family School Liaison Worker Program had been tabled at the previous meeting, and was back up for discussion, with council agreeing to donate $5,000 to the Elk Point Outreach School, as they did in 2024.
Fire equipment
Elk Point Fire Department submitted a request for funding to replace their Personal Protective Equipment Extractor/Washer, which is now 15 years old and in need of major repairs. Quotes for the needed parts came to $10,151 and $10, 641, while a now expired quote received for a replacement unit totalled $9,954. Because the machine is necessary to keep the firefighters’ gear in shape for their duties, council moved to approve the purchase of a new extractor/washer, and to invoice the County for 75 per cent of the cost of the unit.
Penalty waiver denied
A request to waive penalties incurred on taxes unpaid since 2023 was denied as per the town’s policy.
Fire siren
The Elk Point Fire Department has requested to use the siren at the fire hall in case of emergencies, as this would alert firefighters when they were outdoors or away from a phone. It was suggested that it would benefit every resident to be made aware of an emergency, and because the siren is located near residences, it was suggested that it be used only between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., possibly with a one-year trial basis.
Council approved the trial, providing its approval by the fire committee.
