YORKTON — The current edition of Yorkton Council has just past it’s six-month anniversary so what has the new mayor and two newest councillors thought of their roles.
“It’s been an amazing six months, I’m absolutely loving the role. Connecting with residents and representing our community has been incredibly rewarding. Every day brings new conversations and new opportunities to serve Yorkton, and I’m genuinely enjoying every minute of it,” offered mayor Aaron Kienle.
“I had a strong desire to take on this role years ago, as many will remember. Former Mayor Maloney was generous with his time and mentorship, inviting me to participate in many events and allowing me to spend time in the office with staff to better understand the role. After 小蓝视频 elected, I also connected with a few former mayors to gain further insights. So while I came in with a good sense of what to expect, I didn’t anticipate just how much I would enjoy it. If anything, the challenge now is finding balance… I want to be at everything . . .
“Time management, without a doubt. I love attending events, 小蓝视频 involved in meetings, and staying close to what’s happening in our community. But that comes with the reality of spending more time away from family and trying to juggle my other responsibilities and complete them at the same high standard. It’s a balance I’m still working on.”
Time was something Councillor Greg Litvanyi said was a surprise to him.
“Being on Council has been somewhat what I expected,” he said. “One thing I did not expect was the time commitment required to attend all of the events that we are invited to.”
Coun. Stephanie Ortynsky said she has found the experience somewhat as expected, but not entirely.
“While I knew I wanted to bring fresh ideas to the table and help shape Yorkton’s future, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the experience itself,” she told Yorkton This Week. “What I’ve found is an energizing, collaborative environment—I’m surrounded by dedicated councillors and a strong administration, all committed to working with key groups in our community. Of course, we don’t always agree but I find with discussion, we can come to a consensus.
“There’s plenty to learn as a new councillor—protocols, bylaws, city culture—but I love the challenge. My goal is to amplify the voices of younger generations in Yorkton and ensure that every resident feels heard in the decision-making process.
“Over the next six months—and throughout my term—I plan to continue sharpening my communication skills, advocating for data-driven decisions, and learning from the incredible people who make this city thrive. Yorkton is the place to be, and I’m excited to play a role in shaping its future.”
Of course a big part of the early sitting of Council was passing the city’s 2025 operating and capital budgets.
“Our first budget process was eye opening and we’re not done yet. We still need to set our mill rates. I believe to fully comprehend the budget process it will take one entire budget cycle to make fully informed decisions,” said Litvanyi.
Ortynsky termed the budget process “Intense” and “exciting.”
“Budgeting isn’t just about numbers— I believe it’s about setting a vision for Yorkton’s future. Having studied budgeting processes from Canadian provinces and New Zealand’s national well-小蓝视频 budgets, I pushed for deeper integration of strategic planning into financial decisions. I truly appreciate the leadership of our City Manager, Brad Hvidston, and key administration members Ashley Stradeski, Amber Matechuk, and Jessica Matsalla, along with my fellow councillors, for embracing this approach.
One of our first positive steps in the right direction? Opening the budget process to the public before approval, a step toward greater transparency and accountability. Yorkton residents made it clear they want more involvement, and I look forward to seeing even more community engagement next year.”
Kienle said in his case it had some experience to draw upon.
“Having gone through the budget process multiple times as a councillor, it felt very familiar,” he said.
“What stood out this time was how well our council worked together. We approached it as a team, respectfully, professionally, and I believe the decisions we made reflect what’s best for Yorkton. I’m proud of how the process unfolded.”
The work of course continues for the trio, who have their challenges of course.
“The greatest challenge to date has been finding a work/council/life balance,” said Litvanyi. “It is a large commitment if you are fully involved in every event. I’m very glad I chose to seek election.”
That said Litvanyi said he feels Council is on a positive track.
“I believe we are making some positive changes and I can’t wait to see the growth we are working on,” he said. “I believe with our new mayor and some changes in our administration we are headed in the right direction. We still have a lot of work to do but I’m optimistic about the future of our City.”
Ortynsky also touched on the word balance.
“Balancing all the moving pieces. Being a councillor isn’t just about the public council meetings—it’s about community events, committee participation, and advocacy,” she said. “I currently serve on the Planning and Infrastructure Commission (PIC), the Regional District, the Yorkton Business Improvement District (YBID), and as a guest on Economic Development. Plus, I’ve joined the Prairie Economic Development Alliance, led by Suncrest College, to help shape a strong regional plan for future generations.
“Adjusting to the pace of local government has been a learning curve. Unlike my work with nonprofit organizations—where evaluation, grant writing, and research could drive immediate change—municipal governance requires patience, strategy, and a long-term approach. But I embrace the challenge and am finding new ways to make meaningful progress.
“Beyond the council, my work continues! I’m a full-time research associate with SUMA and the University of Regina. I also taught municipal finance for the University of Toronto, and now I’m thrilled to be teaching yoga again in Yorkton—a great way to stay balanced.”
Kienle said when it is all taken into account he is glad he ran and won.
“Absolutely. As many people know, I hadn’t originally planned to run, but I’m so very grateful I did,” he said. “The past six months have been filled with meaningful moments spent with residents, community groups, and City staff. It’s been incredibly rewarding and I am so appreciative for all the support.”
Ortynsky is pleased with her decision too.
“Without a doubt—one thousand percent! Representing Yorkton on council has been an incredible privilege,” she offered. “I’ve loved connecting with provincial leaders at SUMA and engaging with our Members of the Legislative Assembly here in Yorkton. I’m eager for our full council to sit down with our federal representative in Ottawa to ensure the Yorkton-Melville riding continues to have a strong voice nationally.
“Cities are the heartbeat of government in Canada, and Yorkton is moving forward with momentum. Being part of this journey is deeply meaningful. . .
“Yorkton is a fantastic place to live, work, and raise a family. Let’s keep building on that momentum—together.”
