Weyburn city council is working out fire agreements with area Rural Municipalities as they want to increase the amount paid by the RMs for fire and rescue services.
At council meeting on Monday evening, council was told that the Village of McTaggart, and the RMs of Brokenshell and Wellington have opted out of a fire agreement with Weyburn, citing the new fees as too excessive, and will get services from the Town of Yellow Grass instead. The RM of Weyburn requested a phase-in period to the new higher fees, but council declined this request, and in addition, city council wants future fees to be tied to the assessment values in the RM.
“The only way I can support this is if it’s based on assessment. We need to tie it to something. I don’t think we should be stuck at a lump sum amount. I think it’s key to tie to assessment,” said Coun. Rob Stephanson.
The RM had asked for a five-year agreement, and to phase in the increases, with $30,000 in the first year, $60,000 in the second year and thereafter at $90,000. The city responded by starting with $90,000, and to then calculate a mill rate for subsequent years based on assessment in the RM. The RM of Lomond asked if Weyburn could just supply rescue services, while they would try to provide fire fighting services themselves. Weyburn is seeking to have RMs provide 25 per cent of the fire department’s budget, thus the fees charged to the RMs will increase significantly. The Weyburn Fire Department declined this request, saying they do not provide piece-meal service. Fire Chief Simon Almond admitted they do give Radville this service, but this is subject to future negotiations, and the department doesn’t want to provide piece-meal service to the RM.
