ROCANVILLE — People living in Rocanville can expect a slight increase in their taxes this year. During last week’s regular town council meeting, first reading was given to the 2025-02 Minimum Tax Bylaw.
“We pride ourselves in having affordable property taxes throughout the different classes (residential, commercial, and agricultural), but we also need to guarantee that the community is receiving suitable services for choosing Rocanville,” said Town Administrator Tanya Strandlund.
An empty lot with no improvements is increasing by $25 per year, from $250 to $275. A lot with an improvement is going up by $50 per year, from $1,850 to $1,900.
“By making this small increase, the town adds an additional $21,375 in revenue,” Strandlund said. “These funds will be put toward an increase in our street paving budget and beautification of the town.”
Water and sewer rates are remaining unchanged as council will be using money from the Canada Community Building Fund for the purchase and installation of a natural gas back-up generator at the Main Lift Station on Francis Ave. and Fort St.
“Currently, there is an aging propane backup generator hooked up, but it needs to be manually started,” Strandlund explained. “With a natural gas generator, it will start up automatically in the event of a power failure.”
Perhaps the most visible project around town is the new pool, which is currently funded through an ICIP grant, donations, and a loan through Conexus Credit Union, which will be paid back through the increase in Potash Tax Share funds that the town is receiving.
Summer staff hired
The Town has added five summer staff to their roster with co-leads Brynn Hanna and Addison Machniak. Staff are Katie Cuthill and Miley Bell, and relief staff is Maizy Selby for the summer program.
Car show street closure
The 100 block of Ellice Street will be temporarily closed on June 7 to accommodate a car show during Community Days.
“There’s going to be some really nice vehicles lined up there,” Strandlund said.
Trailer purchase
The town plans to purchase a small aluminum trailer from Flaman Sales and Rentals in Moosomin for $5,000.
“It’s going to be used for watering flowers, we’re going to have all the water set up on there,” Strandlund said. “But it’s also going to be used for other things. It’s aluminum, so it’s going to not rust as easy.”
Street sweepers coming
Virtue Construction and Street Sweeping out of Clavet will be coming to Rocanville May 22 and 23 to clean up the streets.
There’s going to be some announcements going out for getting everything off the street,” Strandlund said. “Getting all vehicles off the streets and making sure all recycling bins or garbage bins are off so that they can come in and clean.”
Careful on wet ball diamonds
Ball diamonds in Rocanville are starting to be prepared for the season, and users are asked to be careful on the fields when they are wet.
“We have new shale diamonds that Minor Ball put in last year, and we do have to be very careful with usage, because they can be damaged a little easier than just general grass diamonds,” Strandlund said. “So we’re just putting out some information regarding unplayable fields policy, that in the event of major rain or wind, you cannot be on the fields because it could damage them or you could potentially hurt yourself.”
In the case of visible lightning, active thunderstorms, tornadoes, or plow winds, users are also asked to vacate the area for safe shelter.
Crack sealing
The Town will be saving a little money in terms of maintenance this year, renting a crack filling trailer from Western Asphalt and utilizing staff to seal and pave streets.
“We’re not bringing in a separate company, just because if we do it ourselves, we can do it a little earlier when we need to in May or June,” Strandlund explained.
Paving project
This year’s paving projects have been targeted by the Town, which will hopefully resolve some water pooling issues in areas.
“There’s two water breaks that were done last year that will be repaved on Garry Street and Robin Avenue,” Strandlund said. “The Fourth Street swale, right in the first 100 block going into our drainage ditch is going to be fixed this year because we are re-digging that ditch for proper drainage, so now we are going to redo our street after it’s done in front of it, so that it properly flows—no more water pooling and sitting on the street. And then we are doing Selkirk Avenue from Fort Street to Pelly Street, so three blocks of Selkirk Avenue are being done.
Used oil program to start
Soon, resident of Rocanville will be able to take their used oil to the transfer station for recycling.
“We did make a resolution to contact the SARRC (Saskatchewan Association for Resource Recovery) regarding the oil recycling program and start the process to bring it to Rocanville,” Strandlund confirmed. “We’re not exactly sure what it’s going to entail and when it’s going to be up and operating, but we are going to start the oil recycling program here.”
When the program is in place, people will be able to bring used oil, antifreeze, and filters to be recycled.
TD Bank building request
With the TD Canada Trust branch closing in Rocanville, an inquiry came before the Town regarding the space.
“It is owned by TD, so the Town, as of right now, does not have any say or interest in the property, whether or not they want to,” Strandlund said. “As of today, right now, we don’t have any say in it.”
As the space is zoned commercial, any new business would be welcome.
“We would love to have some more opportunities here in town and welcome some new people,” Strandlund said.
