Brandon City Council has passed the 2024 budget, which balances sustainability and affordability.   The needs-focused budget includes a 9.4 per cent tax increase. The critical repairs and improvements Brandon residents will see include: Additional police officers to keep Brandon streets safe Expansion of the police cadet program downtown More paramedics to put an additional ambulance on the road, making sure help comes quickly when people need it An upgraded water treatment plant to keep drinking water safe Land drainage improvement to prevent homes and basements from flooding in vulnerable areas The next steps on the Maple Leaf Foods Sports Field Complex A new ice plant at the Brandon Community Sportsplex, which will mean reopening the rink for hockey, figure, and public skaters New buses for Brandon Transit and Brandon Access Transit fleet, making sure people have a safe and reliable ride The establishment of a Medical Doctor Recruitment / Retention Program New program for lighting on City paths New grant program for household drainage improvements Establishing a resident home drainage assistance program “Brandon families count on a great quality of life and reasonable taxes, and that’s what we set out to deliver,” said Mayor Jeff Fawcett. “This budget has a real focus on what people need, what they deserve, and what really matters like clean water, safe streets, and a livable city. “We’re going to fix what’s crumbling. We’re going to make sure Brandon is safe. We’re going to invest in the quality of life. We’re going to make sure growth pays for growth. And we’re going to start the process of rebuilding long-term sustainability in Brandon’s finances.” In late 2023, Brandon released a report from accounting and economics firm MNP, which concluded that Brandon needed to shift the balance between sustainability and affordability. By focusing the 2024 budget on urgent needs and re-prioritizing infrastructure repairs and construction projects, City Council is confident they’re putting Brandon on more sustainable path. But the solutions can’t come from the City alone, said Fawcett. For seven years, the Province of Manitoba froze municipal funding. Infrastructure aged and inflation soared while provincial funding was stagnant. “Brandon needs the provincial and federal governments to cover their fair share,” said Fawcett. “We’ve had new success in calling on our partners to join us in serving and building Brandon — taking some of the burden off Brandon taxpayers. But there’s more we need them to do. This year, you can expect me to be fighting for more governments grants for the people of this great city.”

At 12:12 am, Police received a report of a male assaulting a female at an establishment in the 1100 block of 18th St. Upon attending to the scene, officers learned that the 22 year old male had gotten into an argument with a female and assaulted her by choking her. The suspect was arrested and held in custody and will be released for court at a later date.

Since the departure of Greyhound to Brandon and Western Manitoba businessman Lindsey Heintz saw an opening for a new opportunity. Westman Shuttle is slated to be open for business towards the end of February.   Now the difference between Brandon Airport Shuttle and Lindsey's business is people can book a seat on the shuttle and go shopping or do medical tests and appointment's. Heintz said to BDNMB.CA that they will goto Costco, the Outlet Mall, Polo Park and the Health Sciences centre at first.   He has his eye on another van as they hope to expand in the future. Heintz said his staff will look professional and will be very helpful with seniors and people that need extra help. https://westmanshuttle.com/password Lindsey Cell - 403 872 4956

On January 31st ,2024 police attended to a residence in the 300 block of Dennis Street and arrested a 17-year-old female for robbery. On January 30th at 9:45 pm police were called to a residence in the 200 block of 15th street. A 49-year-old male had answered his door for an unknown male and a female he knew.. He was struck in the head, and they entered his residence and stole various electronic items. The victim was taken to hospital with a non-life-threatening head injury and later released. The major crimes section is continuing the investigation.

On January 25th, 2024, members of the Brandon Police Service and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Traffic Services conducted a Joint Forces Traffic Safety and Enforcement Initiative on the Trans-Canada Highway in and around the City of Brandon. At approximately 11:30 a.m., members from BPS and RCMP conducted a vehicle stop approximately five kilometres west of Brandon on a Manitoba licensed vehicle for a traffic violation. Upon further investigation, both subjects were arrested under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and a search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a bag containing approximately nine kilograms of Fentanyl. The street value of this drug is estimated at $1.1 million dollars. A 27-year-old male and 23-year-old female have been charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking a Controlled Substance and were scheduled to make their first appearance in Court on January 26th, 2024