The Town of Hanna council decided a possible increase to a well-used community grant program will be discussed next fall during budget deliberations. The decision was made at the Mar. 10 regular meeting of council.

Community Services Coordinator Michele Toews presented councillors with a request from the Community Services Board (CSB) that council boost the annual grant from $20,000 to $35,000.

“The CSB held a meeting on Feb. 12 where a motion was made to recommend to council that the $20,000 yearly grant be increased to $35,000 annually, with three application cycles a year, with the understanding that all requests for funding within the community services scope, including facility rental discounts, will be directed to apply through the CSB grant process prior to any council intervention,” stated Toews’ report to council.

“The first grant cycle under this new process in 2026 brought in $14,900 in applications. We are expecting another possible $7,000 in applications just to cover groups previously requesting facility discount support, which would tap out the $20,000 in funding without room to consider new projects and the smaller grant projects this funding has traditionally served.

“CSB requests flexibility with this funding increase, with the understanding that it will only be awarded to qualified grants and any remaining funds at year-end will not carry forward into future years.”

During her verbal presentation, Toews explained percentage discounts given to community groups on things like facility rentals have a significant impact on the CSB grant in question. Toews noted the CSB felt $35,000 is a sufficient amount to handle those previous commitments, plus any applications that come in. Conversely, she stated if the budget remains at $20,000, some groups may have to be turned away.

Coun. Angie Warner stated she had concerns about boosting the grant, specifically where councillors would find $15,000. Warner asked if that money would come from raising taxes or if it would be cut from other areas.

“Where’s the cutback coming from?” she asked. “We can only give out so much.”

Warner stated that the Town of Hanna already loses money by funding facilities, some of which need upgrades, but the town doesn’t have a “user-pay” system. She added that non-profits play an important role in Hanna, but council doesn’t know where increased funding would come from.

Coun. Paul Hunter stated the increase seemed large to him.

Warner noted that in her four years on council she has learned it is unusual for a municipality to donate money to the extent that the Town of Hanna does. She added that if a hike is considered, it should be discussed during regular budget deliberations next fall.

All councillors mentioned that Hanna volunteers and non-profits do a great deal of work in the community.

Councillors also noted the many pressures being placed on the town budget and taxpayers.

At this point, Deputy Mayor Fred Crowle, who was chairing the meeting, asked if the recommendation from the CSB should be tabled until next fall, to which the majority of councillors voted “yes.”