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By Kenneth Cheung

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

Meadow Lake sees $2.5M jump in Q1 revenue, trims surplus amid Co-op Centre spending

Oct 24, 2025 | 3:48 PM

The City of Meadow Lake saw stronger revenues and lower operating costs in the first quarter of 2025, though heavy spending on the new Co-op Centre led to major withdrawals from its investment reserves.

In the 2025 Quarter 1 End Report, City Treasurer Asma Qadri says total revenues for the three months ending March 31 were $2.518 million higher than in the same period last year.

Protective Services recorded the largest increase — up $87,000 — driven by higher community policing grants, delayed fine collections, more yard-clean-up penalties, and higher fire call revenues.

Transportation Services revenues rose by $15,000 from local improvement work, and Recreation revenues increased by $17,000 across several departments. The library, parks, Civic Centre and Aquatic Centre all saw gains, while Water and Sewer revenues climbed $116,000 following new utility rate increases in 2025.

Expenses were $937,000 lower than in 2024. The report attributes most of the savings to timing differences in major payments.

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General Government Services expenses dropped by $311,000 because a $412,000 long-term-care invoice was cancelled and re-issued in July, partly offset by higher wage, insurance, IT and interest costs.

Protective Services expenses fell by $633,000 after the city delayed its third-quarter RCMP community policing payment.

Transportation and Recreation costs both rose slightly, with snow-removal contracts and Aquatic Centre repairs accounting for most of the increases. Environmental and Planning expenses were lower due to reduced utility and wage costs.

Despite the early savings, the city is projecting a smaller operating surplus for 2025 — just over $1 million, down about $492,000 from the approved budget. The decrease stems from increased contract costs and the reissued long-term-care payment later in the year.

Capital spending reached $5.89 million by the end of March, compared to a $3.63 million budget. The report says nearly all the costs were tied to construction of the Co-op Centre, with smaller allocations for paving, equipment purchases, and water and sewer work.

To make those payments, the city withdrew its Community Enhancement and Long-Term Investment reserves starting in December 2024 and is now seeking a debt limit increase to replenish them.

As of March 31, the city’s short-term investment held $410,648.29, the long-term investment was valued at $151.89, and the Community Endowment stood at $3,929.77.

Qadri called it “distressing” that the withdrawals came during a market upswing.

Between 2020 and 2025, Meadow Lake’s investments generated about $1.112 million in interest income, including $840,000 withdrawn this year — roughly a 20 per cent return on the funds invested.

The report concludes that the city’s investment mix of 60 per cent equities, 38.5 per cent fixed income and the balance in cash “has been extremely beneficial for the City.”

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com