Valleyview Resort
Buffalo Pound Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada
Buffalo Pound Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada
The purpose of this website is to communicate with the rate payers within the development area of Valleyview resort and surrounding area. Recent tax increases have sparked an interest in the current operations of the municipality. We would like to thank both past & present council individuals who have dedicated there time and effort to manage the affairs of the RM.
Council works very hard making difficult decisions. Always keeping the rate payers best interests in mind.
An example of private sector and government working together to achieve common goals.
The accuracy of information on this site is most important, please notify immediately if misleading or wrong information exists.
Our mission is to help the RM achieve a positive outcome for all.
Important: The RM has approved a BASE TAX ABATEMENT POLICY designed to accommodate individuals who own adjoining properties. Contact: Development@dufferin190.ca
Base Taxes, Minimum Taxes, have been implemented in many municipalities. Property Assessments have increased substantially. Potash Revenue is controlled by both the federal & provincial governments. These tax increases has been distributed to Agriculture, Residential, Urban Centres and Commercial Operations . As you proceed through this website, you are able to experience a portion of the massive amount of unlimited Government Departments, Provincial Regulations, Permits , Forms, Etc. The RM Administrative employees form a protective wall, guiding council through this excessively complicated system. They are both efficient & professional aligning council to complete its goals and achieving positive results.
Remember they are only the Messengers
Council encourages rate payers to be aware of current affairs. Encouraging Rate Payers to attend and observe council meetings. See: Meeting Agendas
Council is aware of the damage created with the current method used to mulch trees, and is exploring new options. They would prefer, only where necessary to clear the large trees and maintain the lower growth with mowers, this is large expense when distributed throughout the total RM. The purpose is to enable road maintenance and prevent damage to RM equipment.
Abatement's appear to have reduced the RM revenue approximately $19,500.00 as of 10/09/2025. A review of procedures is being considered.
The Resort Village of Northgrove is possibly requesting annexation of Buffalo Vista not including Glamping. This can have a significant financial impact on the RM See: Municipal Boundary Changes Annexation A large amount of time and effort has been spent by council on planning and development, If an agreement unfortunately cannot be met, as rate payers we may want to be prepared to stand behind & support our council. Discussions continue. See: One Horse Town This is a complicated issue our participation could result in lower tax increases in the future.
A Large percentage of tax revenue has been received. 10/09/2025. Early payment discounts create an uninterrupted cash flow while saving bank fees and interest charges. The continuance of this policy is councils decision.
The RM is adding more diversification and information to their website. RM News This will be helpful to the entire community.
Northshore Lands (Glamping) Is currently attempting to meet required grade level (Steepness ) to meet grader operating specs. The Construction is not the Responsibility of the RM. A new route is currently being considered.
Paving of Legacy Road (K+S Highway) to highway 2 is being considered. The RM has no interest in maintaining this infrastructure if completed.
After a closer review of the Financial Statements (2023,2024) the following questions became apparent. There are many unpredictable factors in generating an operating budget. Current global affairs affect mining, agriculture, equipment costs, other goods & services all required to operate the municipality. RM council has estimated a 1 million dollar increase is necessary. A $500.00 base tax is meant to help achieve their financial predictions. Some property owners have incurred substantial increases in their current tax bill. The current situation has caused many concerns.
Is there an agreement in place with the Village of Bethune for services received from the RM of Dufferin and if so what percentage of the salaries and equipment usage does the Village of Bethune pay to the RM and where in the financial statements are these funds reflected ? Answer: See question 13
Is the Development Officer a paid RM employee or is this a contracted position? What are the duties of this position? Does this position occupy space in the RM office? Answer: The Development Officer is a paid position. Duties include reviewing development permit requests, and other office duties as necessary. In more complex issues a planner may be contracted Summary: This position has been created, access to trained individuals is required for all municipalities, complicated permits , environment, long term land use, urban developments, all contribute to time spent and the need for government management. Council is required to operate with in the guidelines set out. See: Community Planning Needs Assessment
Under TS maintenance salaries is the LTD bonus from Workers Compensation Board? Answer: This is a long-standing practise where the RM pays back to the employee 25% of the employees contribution for not using long term disability. Summary: This practise can produce negative long term effects, promoting injured workers to return to work is not creating a safe work place. Both the injured & others are at risk.
Note 13 on AFS2024 What are you leasing? Answer: This is to do with the grader purchase in 2024 but will be paying for this year by way of a debenture The purchase agreement is considered a lease for the first year. Summary: Graders are very expensive to acquire, maintain and repair. They operate on a continuous bases. Breakdowns are a concern particularly in the winter. Managing the hours on each machine is extremely important, it eliminates or postpones expensive warranty extensions. The RM is aware of the time frame in regards to the replacement of the graders. Having the oldest grader as a stand by helps out in emergencies, special circumstances and breakdowns. Grader replacement is expected and planned.
What assets where purchased in 2024 for 970K? Answer: RM truck (85,860), Grader (648,642), Mower (59,907) Findlater water upgrades (175,623) Summary: Findlater is referred to as a Special Service Area, this allows the RM to provide different services, mill rates, and special assessments. See: Communities in Transition Funding List of Special Service areas Funds are returned immediately in the form of Grants The Communities in Transition Fund (CIT). Ongoing improvements may continue over time. The Mill rate adjusted for the Special Service Area.
Under environmental and Public Health Services what was the 100,000 used for? Answer: This is for Waste Collection, Pest & Rodent control, weed management.
We appear to be paying for policing. What percentage of policing are we paying for and does the RM receive that revenue percentage back from the Fines Collection Branch. If the government gets this money why are we (Cabin Owners) paying for policing when we already pay for it through Provincial and Municipal taxes. Answer: All municipalities are required to pay for policing. It is an invoice based on population that is submitted buy the province for RCMP. We do not receive anything back from the fines collections branch.
What is your policy regarding reserve funds? Is there a bylaw that states that a certain monetary amounts must go into a reserve fund, annually? Answer: There is no policy. Summary: Understanding responsibilities in certain matters are unpredictable and can not be foreseen, rate payers & council should not be subject to financial uncertainty created by matters outside their control. Borrowing & Investment
What did the new RM facility cost? Answer: 2.2 Million
Is it possible to see a depreciation report for each asset? Answer (See attached report 2025) Capital Assets Registry
How many employees do we have in the RM? How many Village of Bethune councillors and staff use the RM Facility? Answer: Employees include 1:(COA) Chief Administrator Officer, 1 Development Officer, 5 public works (1 foreman,4 operators), 1 contracted summer Grader operator. Summary: Salaries & Wages are controlled by council, recommendations are suggested by various groups. See: Rural Municipal Association of Saskatchewan (Salary Schedule) These are well trained individuals, competitive salaries are essential in the smooth operation of the Municipality.
Our RM Grader works in Disley. What agreement is in place to cover operating in the Village and what revenue does this produce? Answer: This is a service that the RM provides to Disley as a good neighbour gesture, not uncommon amongst municipalities.
Can we get detailed job descriptions for the Administrator and Assistant Administrator for the RM and Town of Bethune? We would like to see the time allotments, cost & revenue stream back to the RM to demonstrate the costs are recovered. Answer: See bylaw 8-2010 (RM Website) The Village of Bethune pays 50% of the Office Managers Salary and benefits. It pays 22% and benefits of the Chief Officers Administrators Salary & Benefits. In 2023 rent to the Village of Bethune was set at $350.00 a month, billed annually software, labour, Rent etc. billed monthly, office supplies. Summary: This relationship is beneficial to all involved and has been recently reviewed. See: Bylaws: Joint Administration RM of Dufferin & Village of Bethune Fees for Municipal Services
Why did council pay for eight years on a loan for the road that they want the province to take over now? Why didn't they lobby the government to build and maintain the road in the first place? Answer: Approximately 8 years ago council made this decision. They thought was the best decision for the RM.
In regards to the loan of 2.5 Million for the road- Assuming $400K was paid annually for 8 years, the total paid was approximately $3.2 Million. Did council shop ( get three estimates) for the best interest rate or did they just go with the credit union because they are local? Can council pass a bylaw that in the future, they must go to 3 financial institutions in order to get the best interest rate (Note 12AFS 2024)? Answer: I am not sure if they got 3 quotes eight years ago. Council has the ability to pass bylaws and policies regarding this. Summary: A large percentage of ratepayers are seasonal dwellers banking with different institutions, to avoid conflict perhaps council should review there policies & bylaws in regards to large purchases.
Note #2 to the financials- Restricted cash of $174,163. Please explain what this cash is set aside for, as it is not available for current purposes use. Answer: This is regarding Northshore Lands it includes the refundable deposit when the development is finished. As well there is 64 lake front lots that had to pay a $1500.00 refundable deposit for shoreline stabilisation they apply for a refund. Summary: This will eventually clear in the General Ledger.
The RM has a line of credit of 1,000,000. Do they use this line? Answer: The RM has used and does use when required.
Note #10- What is the service agreement deposit payable of $152,131 related too? Answer: Northshore Lands, when the development is finished and signed off, we will reimburse.
In transportation services, under conditional grants, there is another - K+S grant which received $125,587 into 2024. In 2023 they received $494,256. Why was there such a significant drop year to year? This is in schedule 2-2. Answer: We have an agreement with them for the term of the loan ( which ends this year) That they will top the potash revenue share to $900,000. Additionally, in 2023, they gave the RM extra money as a one time goodwill payment. Summary: The RM Council is one voice, K+S, The Federal and Provincial Governments are included in many decisions regarding the mine.
K+S paid $781K in taxes. Does this money not cover a substantial cost of maintaining the (Road)s? Answer: Let's say $900,000 in potash revenue sharing (that includes the top up K+S provides and ends this year) In 2024, we payed almost $410,000 in principal and interest. Crack sealing and line painting approximately $36000. This is not taking into account Grader, man hours, salt and all of the other roads that are being impacted. We also have to amortise approximately $450,000 per year for pavement of legacy road. Summary: See: Municipal Potash Tax Sharing Currently discussions throughout the province continue.
What is the cause of the million dollar shortfall? Answer There was not a million dollar shortfall in 2024. In 2025 after reviewing and accepting the budget, council felt it necessary to increase the budget by $1000,000. Summary: See: Final Budget 2025
We would like to know where the indigenous solar facility will be? Will the new roads you talked about in the meeting we attended will the roads be built for this facility If not where are new roads being built? If a new road is built who will be responsible for maintenance? Answer: SE 1-20-25 W2 No roads are currently being considered in regards to this facility. Sask Power Solar (News Release)
Government Links:
Rural Municipal Administrators Association of Saskatchewan (R.M.A.A.)
Urban Municipality Administrators Association of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency (S.A.M.A) See: (MYSAMA)
Saskatchewan Workers Compensation Board (Rates and how they are set)
Financial Information Funding, Finances and Asset Management
Building Official Licence Applications- Becoming a Licensed Professional
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Contact: RM Stuff valleyviewbpl@gmail.com