Manitouwadge council weighs budget, gas station, and integrity report
Manitouwadge council held three meetings in the past week, covering the proposed 2026 budget, a vacant council seat and an integrity commissioner report, and a site-specific zoning change for a cardlock gas station. All items were on the agenda; minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed.
Budget review (Aug. 6 special council)
Council reviewed the proposed 2026 operating and capital budgets. The total levy is proposed at $4,090,700, a decrease of $1,961 (0.05%) from 2025, which would keep the tax rate unchanged. The budgets rely on $357,443 in reserve transfers to fund operations, down from $620,500 in 2025 — a 42% drop. Staff will seek public input for two weeks before bringing a final version to a special meeting in August 2026.
The agenda also included a 2025 capital variance report showing $2.57 million in actual capital costs against $11.83 million budgeted, and a 2025 operating budget surplus of $393,612.66 before reserve transfers.
Vacancy and integrity report (Aug. 12 regular council)
Council discussed declaring one councillor seat vacant and the method for filling it. The agenda also included an Integrity Commissioner inquiry report into allegations involving Councillor Ruff. Other items were a bylaw to appoint a Deputy Fire Chief, the Marathon Manitouwadge OPP Detachment Board Annual Report, and employee recognition for service milestones.
Cardlock gas station (Aug. 13 special council)
Council considered site-specific Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments for 7 Sault Road (Plan M164 Lot 4) to permit a cardlock gas station. The property is currently designated and zoned Light Industrial; gas stations are normally only allowed in Corridor Mixed Use areas. Council could approve the amendments, which would be forwarded to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval, or deny them. The agenda included bylaws to amend Official Plan Bylaw 2022-41 and Zoning Bylaw 2022-42, plus a confirmatory bylaw for the meeting.
Coming up
No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days.