Difficulties posed by the pandemic resulted in a surplus in both the General Operating and the Utility Fund in 2021, Dauphin city councillors were told at their regular meeting, Mar. 14.

The General Operating Fund surplus came in at $697,173. while the Utility Fund had a surplus of $143,237, director of finance Scott Carr told councillors.

“Like many other organizations, we faced a labor shortage in 2021. Unfortunately, this resulted in some work not being completed as budgeted and contributed to our 697,000 surplus,” Carr said, adding the Audit and Finance committee authorized the use of $33,198 of the surplus to pay for the overage on snow clearing in the latter months of 2021, rather than draw down the Snow and Ice Reserve.

The remaining balance of $663,975 was transferred to the General Reserve to help reduce future taxation.

Carr added there were other factors influencing the surplus such as revenue coming in $465,312 over budget.

Taxes added revenue was $41,569 more than budgeted, while income from permits was $13,657, while income at the Waste Disposal Site was $42,186 higher than budget. Federal grants also came in $432,530 more than budget, however, provincial grants were $28,567 lower than budget.

Public donations and funding revenue was also lower than expected by $92,500, while insurance and other rebates were $18,083 more than expected.

When it comes to expenditures, reserve transfers were $1,057,256 under budget, while administrative expenses were $101,312 less than expected and legislative expenses were $2,328 under budget due to two councillor vacancies in 2021.

General administration was under by $44,291, while Protective Services was $10,869 under budget and Transportation was $199,747 under budget.

Environmental Health Department came in $62,990 under budget, Public Health and Welfare Services was on budget, Environmental Development, $59,693 under budget, Community Economic Development, $169,557 under budget and Recreation and Cultural Services was $46,796 under budget. Finally, Fiscal Services, $59,020 over budget.

On the Utility side, Carr said the surplus was due to unexpected savings on replacements of water and sewer mains.

“The only area we were over budget was the purchase of oxygen at our water treatment plant as we planned to be using our new oxygen generator in June 2021, but this project was delayed and will be completed in 2022,” he said.

The full surplus was transferred to reserves, Carr added.

Overall, Utility Fund revenue was $349,710 under budget. Water and sewer revenue was $12,044 more than budget, while bulk water sales were $2,047 under budget. Additionally, provincial grants were $332,157 less than budgeted and custom work sales were $21,087 less than expected.

Reserve transfers and debenture proceeds, $342,696 under budget, while utility administration was $13,887 over budget.

Water supply expenditure were $20,602 under budget, while sewage collection costs were $12,052 less than expected and fiscal services were $673,640 under budget.

Following the transfer of the surpluses, the City’s reserve funds finished the year just $25,000 less than their opening.

“This indicates our taxation levels in 2021 were sustainable,” Carr said.

The closing balance of $11,808,549 in total reserve funds is comprised of the following:
• General Reserve - $4,934,089.50;
• Machinery Reserve - $950,712.33;
• Fire Reserve - $655,384.60;
• Public Land Reserve - $743.26;
• Civic Buildings Reserve - 435,548.71;
• Water and Sewer Reserve - $1,830.960.59;
• Federal Gas Tax Reserve - $2,037,196.18;
• Recreation Facility Reserve - $447,482.40;
• Environmental Stewardship Reserve - $349,778.90;
• Snow and Ice Removal Reserve - $125,193.09; and
• Watson Arts Centre Reserve - $41,459.93.

“With inflation nearing five per cent we are already seeing much higher costs in 2022. But with over $11 million in reserves we are hopeful we can reduce the impact of this inflation by using reserves,” Carr said.
“So (2021) was a good year. 2022 has been quite a bit more expensive so far though. So we’ll see what the next nine months brings.”

The Swan Valley Cheetahs Gymnastics Club held their annual meet last Saturday in their Main Street facility.

Both local and visiting gymnasts showed their skills on the bars, beam and floor to see who would come out on top.

Results were not available at press time.

Check out the Star & Times this week for more!

Thunderhill Ski Club hosted their annual Mardi Gras day at the hill complete with races and even an easter egg hunt.

Participants were encouraged to dress up and have some fun with prizes awarded for best costume as well as to the race winners.

Get more details in this week's Star & Times!

For the last few months if you looked at the snowbanks that had been cut away from the curb you could see the various layers of winter telling the story of fresh snowfalls mixed with salted and sanded roads, plowed up to create a timeline of winter.

There's lots more in this week's edition of the Star & Times!

“One man alone can’t defeat the forces of evil, but many good people coming together can.” - Harold S. Kushner

Like so many millions of people around the world, Bonnie Kiliwnik was searching for a real way to help the people of Ukraine as they bravely fight back an onslaught of Russian tanks, soldiers and arial bombing.

Then she thought about the lawn signs made up and placed on lawns around town celebrating Major Pratt grads last June.

Get the full story in this week's Russell Banner!

Many people are sitting back and watching the tragedy unfold in Ukraine wondering why isn’t anyone doing anything and how can one help? A dedicated group of Roblinites have stepped up and decided to do something.

The “Stand With Ukraine”  event, consisting of dinner and a comedy show, is set for April 2 and is being organized to help raise funds to support a family from Ukraine to immigrate to Roblin.

The U13 Roblin Stars attended the U13 Rural “C” Hockey Manitoba provincials in Grandview March 11 to 13.

The Stars took to the ice on Friday for their first game of the weekend, against the Holland Rockets and ended the game with a 4-2 victory.

That evening, the Stars were part of the opening ceremonies, featuring nine teams who attended the tournament.

Check out this week's Roblin Review for lots more!

The Roblin MMF Local is busy planning another musical event for the community, but this time, it will be a weekend long event.

Li Festival di Michif will be a three-day music festival from July 1 to 3, featuring a variety of local talent and artisans from the area, children’s activities, food and much more.

More details in this week's paper!

Fusion Credit Union has been named a “Top Manitoba Employer” for the third consecutive year.

The annual competition recognizes Manitoba employers that lead their industries in offering an exceptional employee experience and work environment.

Check this week's paper for more!

The devastation Ukraine is going through is impacting many Canadians and others all over the world. Former Valley resident, Wendy van der Walt, is deeply impacted by the attack against Ukraine, for her grandparents originally came to Canada from there. “My father was a first-generation Canadian,” said van der Walt.

“His parents fled from Ukraine a few years before he was born, in the early 1930s. My father was his parent’s only child. His father died suddenly when he was very young and his mother lived far from us in Hamilton, Ont.. I understood, as a child, that my father and his mother were estranged but didn’t understand why.

“I would question my father about our Ukrainian heritage, to which he would invariably reply, with finality, ‘We are Canadian.’ All he would share was that his family had suffered greatly, were met with prejudice during the immigration process, had their name changed and never looked back.” Despite van der Walt not knowing a lot about her family history growing up, her father did immerse her in Ukrainian culture. She has many memories of spending time with him dining on Ukrainian food or taking in the language.

“The only part of his heritage that he quietly shared with me was the food,” said van der Walt. “Living in Winnipeg, he would take me out alone to different Ukrainian restaurants, quite often, and to Folklorama each year. During those special times, he would open up, share Ukrainian phrases, anecdotes and of course his love of the food with me. Like his own father, he died suddenly, very young. I wish more than anything I’d had a chance to sit with him and learn more about my family history.”

Although van der Walt has never travelled to Ukraine, it’s been on her list of places to go. Watching the horrific bombing and attacks that Ukraine has endured has been heartwrenching for her. “I was scrolling Apple News on my phone when I saw the many distressing news items about the Russian invasion and violence upon Ukraine,” said van der Walt. “I was horrified, frightened and so incredibly sad for the people of Ukraine, as well as the righteous and brave Russian people protesting the invasion.” Regardless of not knowing her family’s history very well, van der Walt feels she still has family in Ukraine today. Not knowing who they are or what they’re going through, has been on her mind a lot lately.

“I assume I do have family in Ukraine, sadly, I have no way of knowing who they are or where they live, as all of my immediate relatives have passed,” said van der Walt. “With the name change, they left absolutely no trail.

Lately, I’ve thought often about these unknown relatives and asked myself, are they afraid? Have they left their homes? Are their children and grandchildren safe?” While the turmoil has continued in Ukraine, van der Walt found inspiration in the tragedy to help give herself and others hope for the country and peoples’ future.“ When I woke up on the morning of Friday, Feb. 24, which was the second day of the invasion, I picked up my phone to check the news and was overwhelmed with emotion,” said van der Walt. “The news article that really knocked me down was a video clip of the older Ukrainian woman verbally berating a Russian Soldier.

I’m thinking that by today almost everyone must have seen this now-viral video.  “The woman approaches a group of Russian soldiers and begins to ask questions. She angrily shamed, swore at them, and called them occupants and fascists. Then she tried to give them sunflower seeds, the national flower of Ukraine, and told them to ‘Take these seeds and put them in your pockets, so at least sunflowers will grow when you all lie down here.’ She was so immensely brave to fiercely defend her home and democracy; it was absolutely inspiring. “I felt compelled to head to my shop here in Brandon and make a quilt to hang in the window showing my support for the brave people of Ukraine and their Canadian relatives loving and praying for them from afar,” said van der Walk. “My staff and I worked through the day on the sunflower Ukrainian Flag-themed quilt, and completed it in time to take it as a banner to the peaceful demonstration of support here at Brandon City Hall that evening.” The quilt not only resembles hope for Ukraine, but also has some special sentiments that van der Walt hoped to share when she created it. The quilt is not for sale but will stand as a constant reminder and symbol of hope for the people of Ukraine. “A detail of the quilt that is special to me is the fabric I used for the heart in the Center of the appliquéd sunflower,” said van der Walt. “I put out a request that day through some Brandon quilt ladies for a small piece of floral Ukrainian ‘Baba’ or ‘Kokum’ scarf fabric. I wanted it to represent how, in my opinion, women are at the center or heart of a people, as well as the most impacted by war and conflict. Brandon quilt ladies delivered, finding me a piece of fabric that had travelled over 50 years ago from Ukraine to Canada, to be sewn into a baby skirt for a new Ukrainian Canadian baby girl. “The quilt is still hanging in the shop window, and will stay there until this atrocity is over and freedom for Ukraine prevails.”