After two days of budget deliberations, Brandon City Council has approved a $125.4-million operating budget including utilities and a 138.7-million capital budget, representing a municipal tax increase of 1.6% for 2023 for an average single-family house. Council debated several amendments in all areas of municipal spending. Council was also able to initiate numerous enhancements to the budget that will be of benefit to our residents and businesses. Major projects from the proposed capital budget includes: $41.7 million for the water treatment facility expansion $25.6 million for land drainage improvements, including the Southeast Drainage Project $19.7 million for new wastewater sewers, including the Southwest Lift Station Project* $13.7 million for the multi-year construction of the Outdoor Sports Field Complex $1.7 million Eastview Landfill Cell Design & Construction $900,000 for the detailed design of the conceptual cultural hub at the Library/Arts building** $200,000 for the conceptual detail design of the Sportsplex Arena $400,000 for the river corridor trail loop paving project $75,000 for the transit route planning study, which will include rapid transit options Added during budget deliberations by City Council: $72,000 for a temporary Housing and Wellness position $200,000 for Downtown Initiatives $300,000 to improve Ambulance Services $178,000 to the Brandon Police Service budget to start a Community Safety Officer program $40,000 for the addition of a By-Law Enforcement Officer Position $31,000 to waive specialized criminal record fees $36,000 for the Age Friendly Committee and Poverty Committee $10,000 for a community garden in Ward 1 $8,000 for Indigenous training for staff and council $80,000 for Brandon General Museum and Archives $50,000 for community outreach and engagement $20,000 each for Ashley Neufeld and Andrews Field Softball Complex $125,000 for a new outdoor rink in Ward 1 $171,000 to the commonwealth air training plan museum to repair restructure projects $207,000 for streets and sidewalks on top of what was already budgeted by administration, including $33,000 for Ashley Neufeld sidewalks $50,000 for crosswalk enhancements on top of what was already budgeted by administration "This budget was extremely challenging with many needs in our community, higher inflation costs, and several large ticket costs. I am extremely proud of the work of our entire Council and administrative team,” notes Mayor Jeff Fawcett. “I am pleased with the collegial, collaborative, and progressive approach of our Council, and the constructive results we have achieved in the face of difficult tasks.” The Council approved budget will now proceed to the public hearing stage, a date for which will be determined in the spring. *project pending outcome of borrowing by-law   **contingent on grant funding 

The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE”: Adam SANDERS (31 years old) FOR Fail to Attend Court. On June 21st, 2022, Adam SANDERS assaulted a female and was subsequently arrested and charged with Assault Cause Bodily Harm and Assault by choking. A warrant was issued for SANDERS as he failed to attend court to deal with the charges. Adam SANDERS whereabouts are unknown at this time. ***************** If you have any information as to the whereabouts of this person or anyone else “Wanted by Police” you are asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers @ 204-727-TIPS (8477), www.brandoncrimestoppers.com or by texting BCSTIP+your message to CRIMES (274637). Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display. Your call is not recorded and your identity will remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2000.00 cash for information that leads to the solution of a crime. ********************************************** CRIME OF THE WEEK for January 27th, 2023 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a Fraud. On January 1st, 2023, a male suspect entered a business in the 800 block of 18th Street North. The male on two separate occasions, proceeded to fill a shopping cart with products from the business and then returned the products, collecting a refund. The suspect was captured on video surveillance and photos of the suspect are attached to this release.

On January 25, 2023, at approximately 12:50pm, police responded to a vehicle vs pedestrian collision at the intersection of 11th Street and Victoria Avenue.  The 34-year-old pedestrian was walking north across Victoria Avenue when he was struck by an eastbound car.  The pedestrian was transported to the hospital by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries.  Brandon Police Service Traffic Section continues to investigate the collision.

As part of the Manitoba government’s ongoing effort to help Manitobans make ends meet, Premier Heather Stefanson today unveiled a $200-million Carbon Tax Relief Fund aimed at helping 700,000 Manitobans cope with the negative impacts of rising winter costs, from food to fuel. The 2023 Carbon Tax Relief Fund will provide help for all Manitobans including seniors, singles and couples with or without children who lived in the province on Dec. 31, 2021, and whose family net income that year was less than $175,000. “Last fall, we pledged to continue to help Manitobans as help was needed,” said Stefanson. “Given the cost shock Manitobans are facing this winter from the federal carbon tax and other related increases, we believe Manitobans need our support again now.” The premier reiterated the Manitoba government’s calls for the federal government to put an immediate halt on the carbon tax and its harmful increases. The Carbon Tax Relief Fund will provide $225 per single person and $375 per couple. For couples, the lower income earner will receive the payment. “Our initial affordability package focused on helping families with children address back-to-school costs and seniors with fixed or low incomes address inflation-related challenges,” said the premier. “Our new Carbon Tax Relief Fund will broaden access to support almost every Manitoban who has to drive to work, take their kids to activities or go out to buy groceries.” Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index reached a near 40-year high in June 2022 in Manitoba, peaking at 9.4 per cent growth year over year. In December 2022, the rate of growth was eight per cent, the highest among all provinces. “Food and transportation costs have risen dramatically in the last few months, putting pressure on family finances,” said Stefanson. “But every family’s circumstances are different, and they will know how to best spend this money to help them make ends meet.” The premier noted that the 2023 Carbon Tax Relief Fund is part of an $850-million package that will be detailed in the coming days meant to: address financial pressures within the health-care system; support Manitoba municipalities with targeted project funding; and help communities and industries to continue to recover. Today’s funding commitment, the premier added, also builds on an initial 2022 program that provided approximately 145,000 families with children and a household income of less than $175,000 with a cheque for $250 for the first child and $200 for each additional child, and more than 52,000 seniors with less than $40,000 in family income a cheque for $300. In addition, the first phase of the affordability package provided Manitobans receiving Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) a long-overdue increase to the basic needs rate, the premier said. EIA general assistance clients without dependent children began receiving an extra $50 per adult each month, and all EIA disability clients began receiving an additional $25 per household each month. Stefanson noted historic tax relief measures were also part of Budget 2022 with a $2,020 Tax Rollback Guarantee, which has now been exceeded to $2,400 or $4,800 for a two-income family. Some of these initiatives include: indexing personal tax brackets and the basic personal amount; reducing the PST from eight per cent to seven per cent; exempting the costs of home insurance, personal services and preparing income tax returns and wills from PST; reducing vehicle registration fees; eliminating probate fees; and phasing out the education property tax. “Our government is committed to helping Manitobans make ends meet as they continue to face rising prices due to inflation and the largely hidden, federally imposed carbon tax,” said Stefanson. “We truly hope this new Carbon Tax Relief Fund will help ease the strain many families are facing this winter.” To find out more about the 2023 Carbon Tax Relief Fund, visit: https://manitoba.ca/HelpingMB.

Work began in February 2022, to build a 30-year vision for the city called the Brandon City Plan. The Planning and Buildings Department has since held several community engagement sessions and interacted with over 2,000 residents. Through January to May 2023, we are sharing the summarized findings from these sessions and giving residents the opportunity to view these findings and to confirm the vision. There are several ways to participate, including: View summarized findings and provide feedback online at brandon.ca/cityplan by filling out this quick survey View information and provide comments in person at one of the open house events from January to May as listed at brandon.ca/cityplan on the Calendar of Events Run your own engagement session by requesting the Kitchen Table Conversations Toolkit What’s Next? The next step in the process involves a thorough review of feedback received and drafting of the Brandon City Plan document. Once drafted, it will be made available for public review in the Fall of 2023. Following the review, final changes will be made, and a formal process, which includes the provincial ministers' approval and councils' adoption, will commence in the Winter of 2024.   The City of Brandon is excited to see momentum and discussion going on about the future of the city and look forward to hearing from you. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Sonikile Tembo at s.tembo@brandon.ca or 204-729-2523. About Brandon City Plan The Brandon City Plan is a 30-year vision for the City of Brandon (reviewed every 10 years) and it guides growth and change for the next 30 years. The City of Brandon has over 50,000 people and continues to grow! Now more than ever, a “City Plan” that takes into consideration the desires and needs of its residents and businesses is critical. We are counting on your participation.