The City of Portage la Prairie has extended its municipal agreement with Long Plain First Nation.

The two communities originally entered the agreement in 2005 pertaining to the Keeshkeemaquah Urban Reserve and it has since been renewed until 2025. Councillor Brent Budz outlines the purpose of these agreements.

"Municipal service agreements are common agreements between any municipal entities to establish the payment for certain services," he says. "Sometimes those structures may reflect policing services, maintenance, water and sewer infrastructure, and bylaws."

Services provided to Long Plain include fire protection, rescue services, water, wastewater, and additional services to land under Crown authority. Long Plain already provides services like policing, street maintenance, maintaining and installing water and wastewater infrastructure.

"We're very happy with having this agreement in place," adds Budz. "We've had a longstanding working relationship with Long Plain and its just good for both parties to have this agreement finalized."

The City of Portage will receive a one-time payment of $40,000 to compensate for lost additional revenue respecting new construction during the gap between agreements.