Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon invites all members of the public to provide their feedback on the proposed 2019 municipal budget at a community forum on the evening of Wednesday, January 16th, 2019, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Main Foyer of Brandon City Hall, 410-9th Street. The evening forum will include a brief overview of the proposed budget led by City Administration, which will be followed by a question-and-answer session led by members of Brandon City Council. Mayor and Councillors will be asking for public feedback on the proposed 2019 budget and on where they would like Council to focus its future spending priorities. The evening forum will also be streamed live via the City of Brandon YouTube channel for the benefit of residents unable to attend. All proposed budget documents can be viewed on the City of Brandon website at http://www.brandon.ca/budget/proposed-2019-budget. Prior to Council’s budget deliberations later this month, the proposed 2019 budget is representative of a municipal tax increase of 3.91%. “Preparing the proposed 2019 budget was especially challenging,” notes City of Brandon City Treasurer and General Manager of Corporate Services Dean Hammond. “Funding from other levels of government has been held flat or is, in some cases, has decreased. We are seeing higher than normal inflationary pressures, particularly with utilities and construction costs, and while we rely on fee revenues to somewhat offset tax increases, we are anticipating significantly less fee revenues for the upcoming year.” Following the above noted public forum, Brandon City Council will then deliberate the 2019 proposed budget on Friday, January 25th and Saturday, January 26th. “With continued inflation and government grants having been frozen for several years, our budgets are a greater challenge each year,” adds Mayor Rick Chrest. “Administration has worked very hard to provide a good starting point and now Council will wrestle with ‘big picture’ decisions to hopefully bring us near or below inflation.  Our Council takes the budget and taxpayer dollars very seriously and we always works hard to maintain services and keep costs in line.” The January 25th and 26th budget deliberations will be held in the City of Brandon Council Chamber on the 2nd floor of Brandon City Hall and are open to the public and media to observe. Deliberations will also be livestreamed for the public via the City of Brandon YouTube channel.

The Brandon Police Service is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing youth.  Josh BEAULIEU, 14 years of age.  Josh has been missing since December 24th, 2018. Josh is described as Aboriginal, 5’6” (168 cm), 115 lbs (52 kg), slim build, fair complexion, with straight short brown hair, and brown eyes. Josh’s current whereabouts is unknown at this time. Police are asking anyone with information about Josh BEAULIEU current whereabouts to call the Brandon Police Service at 204-729-2345.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release  On January 1st, at 5:17pm, police attempted to stop a vehicle at 34th Street and Victoria Avenue. The driver refused to stop for police and a pursuit began which led police north to 34th and Rosser and then east to 26th Street. Speeds were recorded at between 70 km and 90 km per hours and as a result the pursuit was terminated. Police later located the suspect vehicle abandoned in the east end of Brandon.  Police continue to investigate.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release Intoxicated Person Detention Act: On December 31st, 2018, at 4:13pm, City Transit reported an intoxicated individual sleeping on the bus. A 37 year old Brandon woman was arrested under the Intoxicated Person Detention Act and lodged at BCC to be released when sober. Intoxicated Person Detention Act: On December 31st, 2018, at 7:16pm, police located a 49 year old male extremely intoxicated in the 800’ block of Rosser Ave. He was lodged at BCC to be released when sober. Intoxicated Person Detention Act: On January 1st, 2019, at 5:21am, police were called to Driedger Bay for an intoxicated female. An 18 year old female from Morden, MB, was arrested and lodged at BCC to be released when sober.

Monday afternoon, fire and police crews responded to the intersection of Aberdeen Ave and Cornwallis Cres for a two-vehicle crash. The crash appeared to cause airbags to deploy in at least one of the vehicles, and caused significant side damage to the red SUV. Debris from the vehicles was scattered across the intersection. An ambulance was seen with a patient leaving the scene with no lights or sirens. Photos by Liam Pattison Photography.