What's the Manitoba Public Utilities Board's role, when it comes to increasing voluntary connection fees for rural water line expansions? That's the question the RM of Cartier hopes to have answered, as they submit a resolution to the Association of Manitoba Municipalities.

The issue dates back to a complaint made in 2015, when the municipality increased the connection fees for rural water lines, and a resident submitted a complaint to the Public Utilities Board. While the complaint was ultimately dismissed, the PUB stated municipalities are required to submit applications to increase those types of fees. Reeve Dale Fossay notes it's something that wasn't previously required by the PUB, as another government branch already approved the project.

"We feel that projects already approved and funded by the Manitoba Water Services Board shouldn't need to go back again to the Public Utilities Board. We're just asking the province to clarify that, and streamline the process, whatever that may be."

Fossay feels that red tape is responsible for increasing costs of these types of projects, and hopes to see a more efficient system put in place.

"Certainly, to add another bureaucracy just delays project and as projects are delayed, costs generally go up. Again, if a project's already been approved by a branch of the province, does it need to be reexamined by another? It just seems like a duplication of efforts."

The RM of Lac du Bonnet had also received similar recommendations, and Fossay says they'll likely be putting forth a joint resolution.