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December 16, 2025
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| | In this edition of the Rural Dart... | |
- Advocacy
- SARM Resolution Responses
- Strategic Communications
- Next Week's Rural Dart
- SARM's Holiday Schedule
- Lieutenant Governor's Award Deadline
- In Memoriams for SARM Convention Guide
- Risk Management
- Programs
- Rat Control Program Claim Deadline
- Member Purchasing
- Notice of Planned Procurement Posting on SaskTenders
- Community Planning
- Finance & Administration
- SARM Classifieds
- Member Services
- Introduction to SARM's HR Service
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- Feedback on the Renewal of Saskatchewan's Solid Waste Management Strategy
- Municipal Tax Policy for Agricultural Crown Lands
- Announcements
- Varied Conditions Across the Province at Freeze-Up
- New Cabinet Balance Experience with New Faces
- More Communities Eligible for Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive
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SARM’s Advocacy Team, at the direction of the SARM Board of Directors, meets and speaks with members and outside agencies on issues important to RMs, including bringing concerns forth at the provincial and federal levels.
SARM, through its Act of Incorporation, is mandated to work on files of importance to rural municipalities (RM) and agriculture producers.
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SARM Resolution Responses
SARM has received responses from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment pertaining to resolutions passed at the 2025 SARM Midterm Convention. Click the links below to review the responses.
| | SARM’s Strategic Communications Team leads the initiatives, events, and public-facing components of the work we do for RMs. Strategic Communications is responsible for our conventions, the Rural Dart, Rural Sheaf, Rural Councillor, webinars, and many other events and initiatives. | | |
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Next Week's Rural Dart
Due to the upcoming holidays, there will be no Rural Dart email on December 23rd. The December Rural Sheaf newsletter will be published as scheduled on Tuesday, December 30th.
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SARM's Holiday Schedule
This holiday season, the SARM office will be closed to the public from December 24th at 3:00pm until January 2nd at 8:30am. A reduced complement of SARM staff will be available on December 29th, December 30th, and December 31st to meet the needs of our members.
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Lieutenant Governor's Award for
Outstanding Service to Rural Saskatchewan
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Do you know a reeve, councillor, or administrator with an inspiring story?
Nominations for the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Outstanding Service to Rural Saskatchewan are now open!
The 2026 nomination period runs until December 31, 2025.
To submit a nomination or request a nomination form, please contact:
Kathleen Israel,
Selection Committee Secretary
executivecoordinator@sarm.ca or 306.761.3731
2301 Windsor Park Road,
Regina, Saskatchewan S4V 3A4
To learn more about this award and how to submit a nomination, refer to the linked LGA Guidelines Document or visit the SARM website.
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In Memoriams for SARM Convention Guide
In Memoriams for the year 2025 must be submitted to SARM by January 15, 2026, to be included in the 2026 SARM Annual Convention Guide. Please use the online form linked below for all submissions. Please note submissions after this deadline will be acknowledged in the 2027 Annual Convention Guide.
| | SARM’s Risk Management Team is comprised of two distinct groups: Benefits & Insurance and Legal. These departments administer and facilitate various SARM and external partner insurance and benefit products, as well as provide legal solicitor services to member rural municipalities. | | |
| SARM’s Programs Team engages with provincial and federal governments, industry leaders, and program partners, as well as other stakeholders, to effectively deliver SARM programs. | | |
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Rat Control Program
Claim Deadline: December 31, 2025
| | | To learn more about the Rat Control Program, scan the QR code or visit the SARM website. | | | | SARM's Member Purchasing Team provides group purchasing and procurement advising services to save member municipalities money and time through the buying and procuring processes with the goal of being the first stop for all municipalities’ purchasing and procurement needs. | | |
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Notice of Planned
Procurement Posting on
SaskTenders
Effective January 1, 2026
The Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) requires any municipality interested in participating in a buying group to publish a declaration of its intent to participate in a buying group. Participating in SARM’s buying group includes purchases from SARM’s Member Purchasing, Canoe Procurement Group of Canada, and Sourcewell.
Effective January 1, 2026, SARM’s legal counsel has advised that the provisions of the CFTA requiring a procuring entity to publish a notice of participation with the buying group applies to each of SARM’s members individually. The legal advice that we received is that the RM is the procuring entity and it is the RM’s responsibility to make this annual posting.
SARM is advising its members to individually post a notice of their participation with the SARM buying group on SaskTenders before making purchases from the SARM buying group’s offerings. This posting is only required to remain active for two weeks. You will need to repeat this posting annually if purchases are planned for the year.
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Notices of planned procurement for 2026 should not be posted on SaskTenders until January 1, 2026. Please see below for further details.
To create your municipality’s declaration, copy and paste the paragraph below onto a document with your municipality’s letterhead and attach to your Notice of Planned Procurement posting on SaskTenders.
(Insert Municipality Name) intends to participate in one or more procurements offered through the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), between (insert one year period including month/year). For further information and access to SARM’s Request for Proposal (RFP) notices, please review the Government of Saskatchewan website at sasktenders.ca/content/public/Search.aspx
Please contact Amanda Kozak, SARM's Procurement Advisor, if you have any questions at 306.761.3722 or akozak@sarm.ca.
| | SARM’s Community Planning Team is driven by a proactive and collaborative approach with municipalities to support growth, certainty for investment and landowners, and the protection and promotion of what already exists in the community. | | |
| SARM’s Finance and Administration Team provides the budgeting, accounting, and reporting functions for SARM, the Insurance and Benefits Funds, all externally funded programs, and the Tax Loss Compensation Trust Funds administered by SARM. In addition, the team provides administrative assistance performing reception duties that include being the first point of contact for all guests and SARM members both in-person as well as virtually by phone and email. | | |
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SARM Classifieds
The following municipalities/towns/villages have requested the information below to be distributed and will be billed for using this service.
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Looking to Hire:
RM of Viscount No. 341, Administrator, Dec 19 - Close
Hamlet of Igloolik, Chief/Senior Administrative Officer, Dec 20 - Close
RM of South Qu’Appelle No. 157, Public Works Foreman, Dec 20 - Close
RM of Pleasantdale No. 398, Weed Inspector & Vegetation Control Officer, Dec 24 - Close
RM of Pleasantdale No. 398, Pest Control Officer, Dec 24 - Close
RM of Pleasantdale No. 398, Maintenance/Equipment Operator, Dec 24 - Close
RM of Pleasantdale No. 398, Grader/General Operator, Dec 24 - Close
RM of South Qu’Appelle No. 157, 2026 Seasonal Equipment Operators(s), Dec 26 - Close
RM of Cote No. 271, Administrator, Dec 26 - Close
RM of Cote No. 271, Equipment Operator, Dec 26 - Close
RM of Lipton No. 217, Administrator, Dec 31 - Close
District of Lakeland No. 521, Municipal Enforcement Officer, Jan 2 - Close
RM of Huron No. 223, RM Patrol Operator, Jan 6 - Close
RM of Blaine Lake No. 434, Maintenance/Equipment Operator, Jan 8 - Close
Town of Radisson, Administrator, Jan 9 - Close
RM of Miry Creek No. 228, Grader Operator, Jan 16 - Close
RM Frontier No. 19, Maintenance Operator, Jan 31 - Close
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Looking to Buy/Sell:
RM of Pense No. 160, Capital 1 Snow Wings – Volvo G970, Dec 20 - Close
RM of Rodgers No. 133, Used Road Packer, Dec 26 - Close
RM of McCraney No. 282, Capital I - One Way Speed Plow & Craig Dozer Blade, Jan 8 - Close
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SARM Classifieds Submissions
Ad postings for the SARM Classifieds can be submitted
through our online submission forms. For questions, contact 306.757.3577 or sarm@sarm.ca.
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| SARM’s Member Services Team is dedicated to providing valuable services that meet the specific needs of SARM's member rural municipalities. | | |
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Introduction to SARM’s HR Service
SARM will begin offering Human Resources consulting services to members across Saskatchewan on January 5, 2026. We understand that this is a need for many RMs and we look forward to being able to offer advice and support on a wide range of HR issues. RM’s will be able to access services including advice on people issues, hiring, terminations, performance management, compensation, recruitment, retention, change management, conflict resolution, training and many other HR related issues.
Our new HR service is being offered through our partner Knibbs HR Consulting. Knibbs HR is a Métis-owned Saskatchewan firm that has been supporting organizations since 2002 with practical, people-first HR solutions rooted in respect, clarity, and partnership. Their work helps organizations bring strategy, culture, and people systems into alignment while strengthening the internal confidence and capability of leaders and teams. Known for their objectivity, compassion, and actionability, Knibbs HR explains the “why,” shares knowledge generously, and leaves workplaces more equipped than when they arrived. Whether developing HR tools, guiding difficult conversations, shaping culture, or coaching leaders through change, they remain grounded in practical professionalism. Learn more at www.knibbs.ca.
This HR Service will principally provide rural municipalities with advice on people issues. Our HR Service will also work in collaboration with our Legal Services team, or your usual legal counsel to provide holistic advice and opinions when employment matters necessitate.
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Fee: $230 per hour for HR Consulting
$95 per hour for Administrative and Support Services
How to Access Services:
Beginning on January 5th, if you have a human resources inquiry or require HR services you can contact: hr@sarm.ca.
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Feedback on the Renewal of Saskatchewan's Solid Waste
Management Strategy
In 2020, the Ministry of Environment released the Solid Waste Management Strategy to address the ongoing challenges in waste management, identify potential new economic opportunities for industry, and outline the government’s commitments for action. The strategy sets goals and priorities, establishing the government’s direction and commitment to solid waste management.
The strategy is now up for its five-year renewal. A renewed strategy will build on our achievements and identify new opportunities to enhance waste management in Saskatchewan.
The ministry invites you to review the discussion paper and provide your valuable feedback by January 15, 2026. The discussion paper, a survey, and contact information can be found through the link below.
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Municipal Tax Policy for Agricultural Crown Lands
With municipal taxes coming due December 31, now is a good time to become familiar with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Municipal Tax Policy for agricultural Crown lands. This policy outlines how the ministry and the rural municipality (RM) can work together to ensure that any outstanding taxes levied on leased agricultural Crown land are paid in a timely fashion.
RMs can request payment for taxes owing on leased agricultural Crown land if there are any unpaid amounts five business days after December 31st of the year in which the taxes were levied. The first step is for the RM to complete and submit the Agreement Cancellation Request Form to Corporate Services. Corporate Services will not be sending out this form, it has been linked below for your convenience. This form needs to be submitted no later than February 5, 2026, via email to billinginquiryag@gov.sk.ca. Due to the strict payment terms, we cannot process late applications. If you have questions, please contact Corporate Services at billinginquiryag@gov.sk.ca or 306.787.7191.
Once this form is received by the ministry, a Notice of Cancellation will be sent to the lessee if the amount owing is $200 or more. If taxes are not paid by the lessee within 21 business days after the issuance of the Notice of Cancellation, the lease will be cancelled. The ministry will only pay up to one year of tax arrears (the 2025 tax year) to the RM directly and the ministry will take the necessary actions to recover the debt from the former lessee. If the RM receives payment for taxes, after the ministry provides a grant in lieu, from the former lessee on a cancelled lease, the RM will refund all taxes paid by the ministry.
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Furthermore, if there is vacant agricultural Crown land with agricultural potential in your RM, the ministry will pay a grant in lieu for 2025 municipal taxes. RMs can request a grant in lieu by contacting their district land management specialist. Please be aware the ministry will not pay interest or penalty fees.
The Municipal Tax Policy outlines the categories of land the ministry will pay a grant in lieu for municipal taxes:
- Vacant, titled and has continuing agricultural potential; and
- Vacant, untitled and has continuing agricultural potential.
The ministry does not pay a grant in lieu for municipal taxes for the following categories of land:
- Leased (including former federal and provincial community pastures);
- Vacant, titled and has no continuing agricultural potential.
- Vacant, untitled and has no continuing agricultural potential.
- Permitted (the ministry collects a cheque from the permittee, written to the RM for taxes, when the permit is issued).
- Abandoned rail line lands transferred to the Crown but not incorporated into a Crown land lease; and
- Small acreages (10 acres or less) utilized for special purposes such as reservoirs, lagoons, transmission towers and from which no revenue is derived by the ministry.
For more information on the municipal tax policy please visit www.saskatchewan.ca.
| | SARM is now on Bluesky! Follow us here: @sarm.ca | | | | |
