Mike Pagtakhan

What are the three most important outcomes you want West St. Paul to achieve during the next four years? What measurable result would tell residents you succeeded?

Investments in fire apparatus and emergency medical response equipment for the West St. Paul Fire Department. As our community continues to grow, we must ensure our firefighters have the equipment and resources necessary to protect residents effectively. I would like to build an outdoor basketball court capable of hosting community tournaments and water play amenities such as a splash pad for youth to enjoy. These investments will create opportunities for recreation, healthy lifestyle and community connections. Finally developing a detailed design for a sports multiplex and securing provincial and federal infrastructure grants toward to help make the project a reality.

How should West St. Paul balance keeping municipal taxes competitive with maintaining and expanding services? Identify one area of municipal spending you would protect and one you would examine most closely for savings or efficiencies.

I would prioritize and protect public safety. Our Fire Department must have the training, modern and effective fire fighting apparatus, and medical response equipment needed to serve our growing community. I believe there are opportunities for savings and efficiencies by examining more closely municipal purchasing and contract services. A regular review, or an even an audit of our contract services, competitive bidding, coordinated purchasing can all go a long way to identify savings without reducing service quality to residents. I am committed to protecting essential services and eliminating unnecessary expenditures. This is how to keep municipal taxes affordable for residents.

When the RM has an operating surplus or significant reserve funds, how should Council balance saving for future infrastructure, paying down debt, funding current projects and limiting future tax increases?

Municipal reserve funds are essential to sound financial management and long-term fiscal responsibility. They ensure West St. Paul has the financial resources to replace critical infrastructure, maintain services and respond to unforeseen emergencies without placing undue burden on taxpayers. I am committed to ensuring strong fiscal discipline, safeguard taxpayer dollars, and make responsible decisions that protect affordability for West St. Paul residents.

West St. Paul continues to experience rapid residential development. What costs should new development be expected to carry, and what costs should reasonably be shared by the municipality as a whole?

I believe developers should be responsible for infrastructure directly associated with new subdivisions, including roads, drainage, water and wastewater (if applicable), sidewalks, lighting, and a proportionate share of infrastructure upgrades required to accommodate growth. In this term of Council, we have worked collaboratively with developers and asked that new subdivisions include park & playground amenities, walking paths and lighting around walking paths. We recently asked a developer to install an outdoor dog park in the Parkview Point community. I am committed to ensuring development agreements account for long-term community infrastructure investments.

What types of businesses and commercial development should West St. Paul actively encourage? How should Council balance expanding the commercial tax base with traffic, infrastructure, nearby neighbourhoods and community character?

I am committed to actively encouraging that a Dynacare lab come to West St. Paul, along with more medical, professional and personal services, and even high-end retailers that offer residents greater convenience and shopping choices closer to home. I would also like to see West St. Paul attract a greater diversity of locally owned restaurants, encouraging culinary entrepreneurs to bring new flavours, cultural cuisines and unique dining experiences to our community.

What are your highest infrastructure priorities for the next term? How should West St. Paul respond to increasing traffic and demands on roads, drainage, wastewater and other infrastructure as the municipality grows?

I am committed to increasing West St. Paul’s annual road rehabilitation budget to proactively maintain and improve our roads, preventing costly deterioration. I also want to prioritize paving some of the last remaining gravel roads in Ward 3. Highway 9 was voted one of the Interlake’s worst roads in 2026, highlighting the urgent need for improvements. The Province has been too slow to address deteriorating conditions between the Perimeter Highway and Parks Creek. I will continue advocating strongly for the Province to fast-track road repairs, widening, and critical safety improvements. Road safety is a top priority. West St. Paul residents deserve safe, reliable roads, and I will continue pressing the Province for meaningful action—not further delays.

As West St. Paul grows, which municipal services need the most attention or investment — such as fire protection, community safety, public works, snow clearing, parks, recreation or bylaw enforcement — and why?

First, public safety is my highest priority. I will ensure our Fire Department has the modern apparatus, emergency medical equipment, resources, and training necessary to deliver rapid, effective fire and medical response throughout West St. Paul. Second, road infrastructure. I am committed to increasing our annual road rehabilitation budget to proactively maintain and improve municipal roads, while prioritizing the paving of remaining gravel roads in Ward 3. Third, recreation infrastructure. As our community grows, we must invest in accessible recreational amenities, including an outdoor basketball court and splash pad.

What do you believe is the single biggest issue facing Ward 3, and what specific result should residents expect from you by the end of the next term?

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