Skip to content

New council sworn in for Melfort

MELFORT — It was an exciting night in Melfort with the new council and mayor being sworn in at City Hall for the 2020-24 term of city council. New mayor Glenn George and six councillors were sworn in during the Nov.
Melfort Council
Melfort's new council for the 2020-24 term includes, from left, Doug Terry, Tara Muntain, Mayor Glenn George, Tim Hoenmans (via Zoom), April Phillips, Trent Mitchell, and Brian Enge. Photo by Becky Zimmer

MELFORT — It was an exciting night in Melfort with the new council and mayor being sworn in at City Hall for the 2020-24 term of city council.

New mayor Glenn George and six councillors were sworn in during the Nov. 16 council meeting followed by words from Melfort MLA Todd Goudy, and a regular council meeting. While masked and socially distancing, some family was also on hand to witness the ceremony.

Councillor Doug Terry has been appointed Deputy Mayor from now until April 2021 and councillors have been appointed to their standing committee positions.

The comparative tax statements for October were presented to the council with 2020 numbers reflecting those from 2019. Due to COVID-19, the city pushed back the property tax deadlines from June to September to offer citizens some financial relief. Total taxes paid to the city for 2020 is $7.48 million compared to the $7.46 million that was collected by this time in 2019.

Even with COVID-19, the City of Melfort saw $10.65 million worth of building permits this year. Councillor April Phillips addressed this number saying that it should be celebrated by the council.

Councillors also commended the city’s Public Works and Utilities department for their work removing snow from the weekend snowstorm, especially the work done on Monday in order for residents to be able to vote at the Kerry Vickar Centre.

In Councillor Phillips words, ‘holy snow.’

Floor replacement and deck resurfacing work at the Northern Lights Palace pool has started as of today, as reported to council by City Manager Ryan Danberg.

Rates for two city service fees will be increasing with the city approving rate increases for the cemetery and the airport. Base hangar fees at the Melfort airport have increased to $450, plus an additional cost of $0.10/square ft. for all hangers in excess of 1,720 square ft. The city will also be speaking to SaskPower regarding power hookups for each hangar with additional hookup and power fees being charged to the hangar owners.

Cemetery rates have increased to reflect the costs that other Saskatchewan cities charge.