Good morning everyone. Uh 8:31. We might
as well get the uh meeting on the way
here. Uh agenda.
Any additions to the agenda?
» Councelor Woodstock. Uh I would like to
add council and committee under council
and committee reports uh report on egg
service board convention.
» Anything else?
» Councelor Hopkins. I move to approve the
agenda
uh on for Tuesday, January 27th with the
addition.
>> Any uh
» Any uh
discussion?
All in favor?
Carried.
Regular council meeting minutes. Any
omissions or or uh
corrections?
or errors.
» I'll move that council approves the
adoption of the minutes of January the
13th, 2026 regular meeting of council as
presented.
>> Any uh discussion on the motion?
» Any uh discussion on the motion?
All in favor?
Carried.
Okay.
» Appointments are at 1:00. Uh
corporate services
I guess 4.1 the budget.
Um
okay. Uh any discussion on this prior to
getting going?
Councelor Olsson.
>> So this is this is just a proposed
» So this is this is just a proposed
budget again for uh 2026.
So what's different from the proposed
budget from that we had in November or
December
>> through the chair. The budget that was
» through the chair. The budget that was
approved in December was an interim
budget. So it was just for the period
between January and April. This is now
the proposed 2026 budget that would
actually cover the full 2026 year.
>> Okay. Um, like I said before, I don't
» Okay. Um, like I said before, I don't
want anybody to take anything personally
when we start asking questions here, but
prior to this at the last intern budget,
we discussed that we're going to be
going into line item budgeting. So
I hope this isn't going down that same
road where this budget is proposed and
at the very last minute then we have to
discuss we have to discuss whether at
you know whether it's approved or not.
There's one of the one of the reasons
that I'm saying this is this is the only
thing that we have left right now where
we can control anything that's
happening. We don't have a strategic
plan available to us right now. We don't
have a governance model in front of us
right now. So this is the only thing
that we can control.
So we want to make sure that it's done
properly and there's some stuff that
needs that we have to set. We as council
will set the budget. The way I see it
and I'm not I'm harping on this and
harping on this. You heard it before.
We set the budget. Council the way this
is proposed.
The administration and staff have set
this budget.
That being said, that being said, any
questions? Any other discussion on that?
I know. I'm just looking here.
>> No bizarre.
» No bizarre.
>> Yep. CEO Cochran.
» Yep. CEO Cochran.
>> Yeah. Through the brief told of council,
» Yeah. Through the brief told of council,
we're not here to tell council what to
do. We're here to propose a budget based
on what it costs to do our operations
and our current SE service levels that
we provide to the public. This is a
document for your debate. You're
welcome. This is for you to dig into.
Today is an education on what's in the
budget. We have plenty of more meetings
to come to where you'll be able to bring
all of your questions, your sorry, your
concerns. This isn't uh one and done
today. This is an introduction to what
it costs to do our current business the
way we do it. And this is up to council
to debate, decide, and direct as we move
forward. We're not directing council.
We're proposing based on what it takes
to do our business.
>> That's that's correct. Um that being
» That's that's correct. Um that being
said, thank you. That being said, uh I I
do believe that when we go into these
next we should have be set in uh
different meetings,
separate meetings. So we're not
discussing uh budgets in front of in in
in council. These budgets have should be
separate meetings. In fact, the reason
for it is because if we do do some cuts,
we don't want we don't need people in
there that uh
get disappointed or or
what's the word I'm looking for.
I'm pretty sure everybody understands
where I'm coming from. Councelor Olsson.
>> Yeah. And just to clarify, when does
» Yeah. And just to clarify, when does
this budget have to be approved? What is
the date?
>> Uh through the chair. So the interim
» Uh through the chair. So the interim
budget applies through to April 30th. Um
we do need to have a full budget adopted
in order to pass the tax rate bylaw
which also needs to happen in April as
well in order to facilitate distributing
tax notices and in accordance with our
current bylaws and policies.
>> So that being said is that so at the end
» So that being said is that so at the end
of April it has to be completed by the
end of April.
>> That is correct.
» CEO Cochran
Uh, councelor Woodstock.
>> So, the province will provide us
» So, the province will provide us
assessment numbers in first part of
March.
>> Okay. Thank you.
» Okay. Thank you.
>> Councelor Cochran or Wait a minute. CEO
» Councelor Cochran or Wait a minute. CEO
CEO Cochran.
>> Thank you. Through the Reef Hall of
» Thank you. Through the Reef Hall of
Council, um, if there's sensitive items
that you want to discuss in the budget,
we would go into camera. So this is an
open budget for presentation both to
council and to the public based on what
we're proposing to council. If there's
items you want to discuss that you feel
are sensitive, we go into camera and you
come out with a motion if you have one.
>> Is there any particular reason we have
» Is there any particular reason we have
to go into camera? Why can't we have a
separate budget meeting?
» Councelor Cunningham.
>> I just from conversations I think it was
» I just from conversations I think it was
last term there was discussion about
that. I know some municipalities will
take like two days and strictly have
them budget, but that's nothing, you
know, that we confirmed last term. So, I
mean, I think it's something if this
council wants to pursue, we could
certainly look at it because I know we
have had days where we have lots of
other stuff on the on the agenda and it
does kind of cloud the day. So, I mean,
having two days specifically for budget
is something that this council could
could look at and administration.
>> I I do believe once you get Thank you. I
» I I do believe once you get Thank you. I
do believe once you're getting into uh
line budgeting and stuff like that, what
we're looking for there is going to be
some sensitive issues because once we do
some talking and and stuff like that, it
is it is going to affect some people.
And I mean that's to me I I don't think
that should be done in council and we
should be going into uh close session
all the time. We're getting taken to
task on going into close session uh by
the public as as it is now. So, I mean,
if we can set two days aside or whatever
we need for the budget, I think that's
the way to go.
>> Councelor Cunning or Councelor Hoppins.
» Councelor Cunning or Councelor Hoppins.
>> Thank you, Reeve. Uh, for myself, I was
» Thank you, Reeve. Uh, for myself, I was
actually a little disappointed that I
didn't get to see um actual
what was spent last year in each
department. Um, for me that helps me
make an informed decision as to if that
number is in the right location. Um,
it helps us improve financial control,
helps us make informed decisions and
going forward, I would like to see
actual so we know where so I know where
we're at. Um, and that
helps me also. I feel there's some
departments that might need an increase
and there's some that might need a
decrease. So, I'd like to see actuals.
Um, that helps me follow through uh to
compare those the actual and the and the
budget proposal.
» Any other discussion?
>> CEO Cochran.
» CEO Cochran.
>> Thank you. Through the chair or through
» Thank you. Through the chair or through
the reef to all of council, we will have
our fourth quarter variance report. We
just don't have that completed yet.
We're still doing year end. So, fourth
quarter variance report will be out
shortly for council to see which will
include all the actuals. We don't
actually have the ability to pull our
numbers just, you know, we're still
finalizing year end for last year. Um,
that will be part of the budget process.
This, like I said, is a staged process.
This isn't one and done today. You're
not spending four hours and approving a
budget. You're getting an introduction
and very deep level as to what is in the
budget. and we have put as much detail
in there as possible for you to make
informed decisions as you move forward.
Again, as Miss Vonberg said, we won't be
approving a budget. You won't be
approving a budget until the end of
April.
» Any other concerns or questions?
» Ready to go?
>> Sure.
» Sure.
>> Let's go.
» Let's go.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Good morning, council. So today is the
» Good morning, council. So today is the
next step of the 2026 budget process.
Today's presentation outlines the 2026
proposed operating budget which reflects
day-to-day revenues and expenditures
required to deliver municipal services.
The proposed operating budget has been
prepared by administration based on
council's previously approved
priorities, existing service levels,
known cost pressures, and is intended to
provide council with a complete starting
point for review, discussion, and
direction. Before moving into the
presentation, I would like to thank the
staff who contributed to both this
presentation and the appendices included
with today's report. The budget process
truly is an organizationalwide effort.
This presentation is organized into six
main sections moving from broad context
toward the detailed components of the
2026 proposed operating budget. The
first is an introduction which provides
context for the 2026 budget including
the schedule, guiding principles, and
the process used to develop the budget.
Budget trends and environment summarizes
the external and internal factors
influencing the 2026 budget. These
trends have been presented to council
previously during the budget cycle and
are consolidated here to provide context
for the proposed operating budget.
Key considerations include inflation,
service demand, demographic changes, and
financial pressure pressures affecting
the county's operations. Third quarter
budget to actual results are also
highlighted as they indicate the degree
of flexibility in the current operating
environment. Together, these factors
form the backdrop for the assumptions
and decisions reflected in the proposed
budget.
Then we have the proposed operating
budget. This is a summary of the
proposed operating budget outlining
proposed revenues, expenses, and notable
changes for 2026. The overview included
in this presentation is supported by
detailed schedules provided in the
appendices, including summaries by
function and department, as well as more
detailed schedules by subfunction, both
for the budget as a whole and for each
department. The intent is to provide a
clear picture of the day-to-day
operating plan for 2026.
Then we have the three-year operating
forecast. This is a section which
provides a forward-looking view of
anticipated financial trends over the
next three years. Then there's a budget
overview. So this section consolidates
the complete financial picture presented
to council for 2026. It summarizes the
operating budget, pre-approved projects
and proposed projects, their funding
sources, and outlines the impact on
reserve balances.
Then there's the next step section. This
section outlines the remaining steps in
the budget process. It covers the
collection of council questions and
information requests, the provision of
responses and clarifications,
deliberations on balancing options, and
a path to formal adoption. It also
identifies specific items highlighted
for council discussion, and notes where
motions or policy updates may be
required. The timeline is designed to
ensure allformational needs are met
before the budget is finalized.
We'll move on to the introduction. So,
this first slide outlines the major
steps and milestones of the 2026 budget
process. The schedule is designed to
ensure council has the information and
time needed for thorough review and
decision-m. This one's been adjusted a
little bit as we delayed the operating
budget in order to facilitate additional
information as requested by council.
The first step step was approval of
budget guidelines back in June of 2025.
Uh the 2072 26 budget process began with
that. Um those guidelines set the
framework for developing the budget
process and allowed administration to
begin developing the budget in July.
Then there were pre-approval of
projects. This year certain projects
were presented to council for
preapproval due to the delayed budget
cycle resulting from council elections
and orientation. Council's pre-approval
of these projects helps ensure that
critical infrastructure work, grant
applications, and contractor scheduling
preceded on time, even with a later
budget adoption. The selection process
for pre-approved projects focus focused
on time sensitivity, funding sources,
alignment with the capital plan, and
operational importance. Those
pre-approval projects and their statuses
were also reviewed by council on
December 9th.
Then we had budget orientation on
November 12th. Council received a budget
orientation session which was an
opportunity for council to receive an
overview of financial planning and ask
questions before detailed 2026 budget
specific presentations in subsequent
deliberations.
Then we had setting the stage and
proposed projects on November 25th. This
presented the context for the 2026
budget and outlined proposed projects
being included. Then we had the third
quarter variance report on December 2nd
which pres was presented and in
highlights how actual results compare
with the 2025 budget helping council
understand trends and make informed
decisions throughout the 2026 budget
process.
Then we had interim budget and proposed
operating budget on December 9th. Um
this included approving approval of an
interim operating budget was which was
based onto the 2025 budget and presented
carry forward projects to be continued
into 2026.
Now today we've got the proposed
operating budget. Um this presentation
provides an overview of the proposed
operating budget and key drivers of
changes between the 2025 and the 2026
budget. The appendices attached to the
report provide more detail on the
proposed budget broken down by
functional area and by department.
Administration is proposing um on
February 10th the proposed approval of
pro projects um that were presented on
November 25th. This would facilitate the
initiation of these projects and ensure
they can proceed as planned in 2026.
We also look at responses to questions
and council deliberations in February.
So this the shift after today focuses on
addressing council's questions and
supporting deliberations.
Throughout each of these presentations,
council can ask questions. They're
either addressed as asked or documented
for future response. Questions can also
be directed to the CEO outside of
council meetings. During deliberations,
responses to questions collected during
the process will be addressed.
This stage is designed to ensure that
every question and concern is fully
addressed before the budget is brought
to a balanced state and subsequently
forward for adoption. Deliberations
continue as long as needed until council
is satisfied and recommends that
administration bring that back the
budget for formal approval.
And that means that would hit our final
step um which is currently targeted
before April 30th as that is the time
frame the interim budget was based on
and the timeline by which an adopted
budget is required to finalize the
property tax bylaw. Adoption of the
budget formalizes council's decisions
and sets the financial plan for the
coming year.
This schedule is designed to be
transparent and collaborative, giving
council multiple opportunities to
review, ask questions, and shape the
budget.
Then we look at the guiding principles.
Again, these were adopted in June of
2025. Um, the purpose of the budget
guidelines is to establish a foundation
for approaching the annual budget. The
guiding principles included are
alignment with council's strategic plan
that each budget decision should support
the goals outlined in council's
strategic plan which ensures resources
are directed toward the community's
long-term vision.
Sustainment of existing service levels.
Maintaining the current level of service
is a priority. The budget is prepared to
maintain existing service levels or
amended levels as directed by council.
Maintenance of competitive tax rates. We
aim to be competitive with other
municipalities, which helps attract and
retain residents and businesses while
balancing our revenue needs.
Review and recommend adjustments to
service fees and rates as necessary.
Fees and rates will be evaluated to
ensure fairness and cost recovery.
Adjustments will be recommended
throughout the process and are
implemented at the direction of council.
There are a few revenue sources which
have recommended rate adjustments
included in today's presentation.
Continue to implement and monitor a
proactive infrastructure renewal
strategy. Proactive investment in
infrastructure reduces long-term costs.
This principle ensures we keep up with
maintenance and renewal needs. This
principle is reflected in proposed
proactive infrastructure projects and
reserve contribution recommendations.
And finally, enhance the stakeholder
experience. Budgeting is not just about
numbers. We aim to make the process
clear and accessible for council and the
public.
and we look at the budget development
and review process. So this slide
outlines the steps taken to prepare and
review the budget before it is prevent
presented to council for deliberation.
It shows the collaborative approach
across all levels of the organization.
The first step is council setting the
budget guidelines.
This establishes the overall guidelines
that provide clear direction on
priorities, tax strategy and service
expectations.
Then we go through management team
discussions and departmental
submissions. Management teams review to
meet to review priorities and
constraints. Departments then submit
their proposed budgets based on those
discussions and council's guidelines.
Then there's a finance review where
finance consolidates and reviews all
submissions. This step ensures accuracy,
compliance, and alignment with financial
targets. Then there's CIO and senior
leadership review. The draft budget is
reviewed by the CEO and senior
leadership. Adjustments are made to
ensure strategic alignment and
organizational capacity.
The final draft is then presented to
council through a series of meetings for
discussion and decision-making. Council
deliberates on priorities, tax rates,
and service levels before approving the
budget.
This concludes the introduction section
section of today's presentation. Before
I move on to budget trends and
environments, are there any questions?
Good to go. Okay.
>> This section provides a summary of
» This section provides a summary of
trends and environmental factors
presented in previous presentations.
Although material is familiar, it
remains an important context for the
operating budget as these conditions
directly influence revenues,
expenditures, and long-term financial
planning. The slides that follow bring
together the key budget to actual
results, external pressures, and broader
financial patterns that shape the
operating environment for 2026.
So this slide provides a summary of the
budget to actual trends that were
discussed during the third quarter
variance report on December 2nd. Um
during the Q3 report, the core operating
budget was forecasting a 2.95 5%
variance, which is narrower than the
typical optimal range of 4 to 6%. That
range of 4 to 6% is generally considered
a comfortable and sustainable range for
municipal operations. This level
provides sufficient flexibility to
absorb unexpected events during the year
while maintaining stable budgeting and
spending patterns. A tighter margin
indicates less room to absorb unforeseen
events within the fiscal year.
Core revenue trends had some favorable
and some unfavorable variance. The net
result being a.12% variance on core
revenues. Trends that are expected to be
sustained into 2026 have been adjusted
in the proposed budget. We continue to
see favorable variances in return on
investments and capital equipment plan
sales, which are typically directed to
reserves to support long-term capital
and stabilization needs.
Core expenditures were forecasted at a
2.83% variance.
Forecasted favorable variances were
reviewed and incorporated into the
proposed 2026 budget where the trend is
projected to continue into 2026.
Next, we look at the key insights from
the environmental scan. Um, again, these
came from the November 25th presentation
where there was more detailed
information.
Um, one, the county's population is
aging and becoming more diverse, which
may increase demand for specialized
services and more inclusive approaches
to service delivery.
Additionally, demand for services and
infrastructure upgrades is increasing,
driven by demographic shifts and
evolving community expectations.
The compounding impact of high inflation
continues to affect financial planning,
making it more challenging to maintain
service levels and fund new initiatives.
These trends underscore the importance
of continually reviewing and adapting
budget strategies to ensure the county
remains responsive to evolving needs and
maintains financial sustainability.
Next, we looked at fiscal condition and
comparators.
Some of the key trends here were that
residential assessment and property tax
share are rising while non-residential
assessment and tax share are declining.
This shift increases reliance on
residential and farmland properties for
revenue.
Asset replacement and mainten
maintenance needs are growing as shown
by the declining percentage of asset
value remaining and the infrastructure
gap.
The county faces long-term
infrastructure maintenance funding
pressure which will require careful
prioritization and proactive reserve
planning
and strategic reserve management is
essential to maintain financial
sustainability and avoid sudden tax
increases or service reductions.
These insights highlight the importance
of long-term financial planning and the
need to balance revenue strategies,
infrastructure renewal, and service
expectations within the county's budget
environment.
Then we looked at provincial pressures.
This slide summarizes the main takeaways
from that section. First, provincial
policy creates uncertainty in tax
revenues and service funding. Examples
include assessment model reviews,
requisition changes, and initiatives
like the mature asset strategy.
Second, these changes often shift the
tax burden towards residential and
farmland properties, especially under
the constraints of the 5:1 tax rate
ratio.
Also, council must be prepared to adjust
service levels or explore new funding
sources if provincial impacts worsen.
These insights reinforce the importance
of long-term financial planning,
proactive reserve strategies as well as
advocacy to protect municipal
sustainability.
Um, this slide looks at the compared the
rate of inflation um as measured by CPI
to the county's tax revenue and other
sources of revenue over the past few
years. Um, this slide was also presented
at that November 25th presentation, but
we've added the proposed 2026 budget
trending to it as well. Um, CPI is used
here because it's widely available and
commonly referenced. However, it is
important to note that municipal price
index is more specific to municipal
costs, but doesn't have a published
metric available. Um, it just that just
notes that the basket of goods within
CPI are different than the basket of
goods that a municipality uses. And
generally it's understood that MPI is
probably growing higher at a higher rate
than CPI is.
Um the data shows that invas in
inflation has generally increased at a
faster rate than most of the county's
revenue streams. Um tax revenue has seen
growth but other revenues have not kept
a pace with inflation and in some years
have declined. This means that the
county's purchasing power is eroding.
Dollars received do not go as far as
they did in previous years. When
revenues do not keep up with inflation,
it becomes more challenging to maintain
service levels, fund new initiatives,
and address rising costs within the
budget environment.
Um, same thing with this. We've done the
expenditure slide. Council has seen this
slide before, but we've added the
proposed 2026 budget trending into it as
well. Um, this chart shows how the costs
for contract and general services,
materials, goods, and supplies, and
utilities, as well as other other
expenditures have changed in relation to
inflation. From 2021 to 2023, the data
reflects the county's efforts to
actively manage and contain costs,
keeping expenditure growth below or
close to the rate of inflation. The
leveling out and increase in 2024 and
2025 indicate that the ability to
continue managing costs in this way is
limited. Slight reductions were achieved
for the proposed 2026 budget, primarily
related to reduced staffing. This trend
highlights the growing challenge of
maintaining service levels and
infrastructure within the budget
environment.
That concludes my section, this
introduction section. Um, before I move
on to the proposed operating budget, are
there any questions from council?
» Everybody good?
>> Yep.
» Yep.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
This section provides a highle overview
of the proposed operating budget. It
goes through the functional revenue and
expense categories that form the basis
of the proposed 2026 operating budget.
This section aims to summarize the core
operating budget at a level suitable for
presentation, while the appendices
provide more technical details for
further review. The 2026 proposed
operating budget maintains the county's
overall financial stability while
preserving service levels across
departments. Total projected revenues
and expenses have been carefully
reviewed, and the proposed budget
currently shows a surplus of $139,683.
This surplus reflects targeted cost
reductions, operational efficiencies,
and staffing and program delivery
adjustments that enable the county to
continue providing essential services
without increasing the overall tax
burden on rateayers.
Total municipal tax revenues remain the
same as in 2025. This stability is
supported by prudent expenditure
management and the elimination or
consolidation of programs as directed by
council. Overall expenditures decrease
by approximately 2% compared to 2025.
These savings offset inflationary
pressures and provinially mandated
program contributions allowing the
county to maintain service levels
without adding financial pressures to
rateayers.
So before I actually get into an
overview of the proposed budget, this
slide just provides an overview of the
appendices that support this
presentation today. These appendices
contain the detailed schedules that
support the highle summary included
within this presentation. Appendix A is
the summary by function which gives a
consolidated view of the 2026 operating
C budget across service areas. Appendix
B provides the summary by department
offering the same information but
organized by organizational structure
rather than function.
Appendix C contains the detailed
operating budget by function, including
subfunctions, descriptions, and
explanation for variances between 2025
and 2026. This is the primary reference
for understanding the specific drivers
between jud budget adjustments and for
the numbers included in this
presentation.
Appendix D presents the detailed
operating budget by department, showing
the same level of detail as appendix C,
but aligned to individual departments.
Appendix E supports alignment between
appendix C's C and D by listing what
departments contribute to each each sub
function. Appendix F includes the
three-year operating forecast and
appendex G provides the projected
reserve schedule summarizing reserve
activity and expected balances after all
proposed transfers.
These appendices form the technical
foundation for the proposed budget and
provide detailed information available
for further review.
With that, I will move on to the
overview of the 2026 proposed operating
budget.
This slide pre presents the overall
revenue summary by function. Um, in
total, the revenues have decreased by
1.52% from the 2025 budget. The primary
driver of this change is the reduction
in transfers from reserves which were
utilized to balance the 2025 budget.
So, first we look at licenses and
permits, which make up.1% of total
revenues. These revenues include safety
code permits for things like buildings,
electrical, gas, and plumbing, and
development permits for projects that
require planning approval from the
county. The 2026 proposed budget of
$85,000 reflects anticipated levels of
development and safety code activity in
2026.
Then we look at operating grants which
make up 2% of total revenues. This
category includes grant funding from the
local government fiscal framework and
the agricultural services program that
supports legislative agricultural and
environmental services delivered by the
county. The 2026 proposed budget of
$499,173
is $7,500 lower than the 2025 budget,
which reflects a reduction in the ASB
grant allocation in accordance with the
um contract that we have with the
province.
Then we look at other revenue which is
2% of total proposed revenues. This
category includes three items. Water
licensing fees, which are charged for
license access to county managed water
sources. Water modeling fees, which are
charges collected before installing a
new waterline connection to fund
modeling that confirms capacity at the
proposed connection.
And miscellaneous revenues, small
infrequent items that don't fit into
other categories, things like minor
administrative recoveries or one-off
amounts. The 2026 proposed budget for
other revenue is $82,100,
which is unchanged from 2025.
Next, we look at the sale of goods and
services, which is 6% of total proposed
revenues for a total of $1.9 million.
This category includes a range of user
fees and service charges the county
collects for day-to-day operations. Core
items in this area include water
distribution fees and bulk water sales,
dust control fees requested by residents
or businesses, campground fees for
county sites, and waste collection fees
under county programs and ICF
agreements.
It also includes planning and
development fees, sewer fees, and
smaller items such as the FCSS
management fees, certificate fees,
cemetery plot sales, and mowing, ASB
extension program revenues, provincial
highway callouts, safety code fees, weed
inspection on private lands, map sales,
oil field inspections, scrap metal
disposal, and recycling recoveries.
The this next slide will actually show
you the variations between the 2025 and
the 2026 budget.
Water distribution fees have increased
by 20,615
to $1,51,655
to reflect projected consumption trends
at current rates. This does not reflect
any rate adjustments from what is
existing in the current master rates
bylaw. Bulk water sales increased by
$6,542
to $333,645
based on historical usage patterns.
Again, this is based on existing rates.
Campground fees have increased by
$21,925
to $17,875
due to the proposed $5 per night rate
adjustment across county campgrounds.
ICF weight waste collection fees were
added to the budget to reflect updated
intermunicipal agreements.
Paid parking has been removed from the
budget entirely reflecting the
discontinuation of the Horseshoe Canyon
paid parking program. All other items
not shown here include a variety of
smaller adjustments which again are
detailed in appendix C.
Then we look at sales to other
governments which makes up 6% of total
proposed revenues.
This category includes revenues
collected from intermunicipal and
regional partners for services that the
county provides. These include Aqua 7
management fees, dispatch service
reimbursements, peace officer contract
services, fire services reimbursements,
and bylaw enforcement reimbursements.
These charges reflect cost sharing
arrangements, fee for service
agreements, and reimbursements tied to
regional service delivery. The 2026
proposed budgets for sales to other
governments is $126,300
which is $79,57
$570 lower than 2025. This decrease
relates primarily to the removal of the
carbon management services contract
which did not proceed.
Other intermunicipal service revenues
continue at expected levels with minor
adjustments noted in appendix C.
Then we look at rental income which is4%
of total proposed revenues. This
category includes revenues from facility
and land leases administered by the
county. The main items include the
medical clinic lease, the Torington post
office lease, surface lease rental land
rentals, and snow plowing agreements.
>> When did we when did we take possession
» When did we when did we take possession
of the Torington post office?
Uh, it's separate of the, if I'm
thinking right, it's separate.
>> It's part of the fire hole.
» It's part of the fire hole.
>> It is part of the fire.
» It is part of the fire.
>> It always was.
» It always was.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> It's right beside it, like attached to
» It's right beside it, like attached to
it.
>> Yeah.
» Counc. And those are expenses that we
charge directly to Canada Post
>> through the chair. Yes. Those are that's
» through the chair. Yes. Those are that's
our rental agreement. They pay the
county to use that portion of our
building.
Uh, the 2026 proposed budget for rental
income is $142,000,
which is $1,000 higher than the 2025
budget and reflects updates consistent
with current rental agreements.
Penalties and fines represents 2% of
total proposed revenues. Uh this
category includes property tax penalties
applied when payments are late, peace
officer fines issued under county
enforcement activities, and penalties
charged on utility accounts and accounts
receivables when balances become
overdue. The 2026 proposed budget for
penalties and fines is $103,000, which
is $20,000 higher than 2025. This
increase reflects recent trends in
property tax penalties observed through
2025
» through the chair.
Would that typically be commercial
property tax fines or are rateayers also
struggling with their with their fees?
>> Um through the chair I don't have the
» Um through the chair I don't have the
exact breakdown. It would be a
combination of the two.
Um
then we look at and actually just a
little bit more context on those
property tax um penalties. The penalty
bylaw was changed a couple years ago and
when we initially did that we actually
reduced penalties and fines in
accordance with that bylaw. And so that
adjustment is really just seeing where
trending is actually going and then
adjusting in alignment with that.
Um then we look at property tax
revenues. There make up 86% of total
proposed revenues.
This category reflects the total
municipal component of the levy. Uh for
2026, the total amount to be raised by
property taxes is unchanged from 2025.
The budget is built to hold the overall
levy flat year-over-year.
While the total levy is flat, the amount
paid by individual rate payers may still
change once once final assessment values
and mill rates are set in the tax rate
bylaw. Changes in assessed value by
market shifts, new construction or
reassessment or in the relative share
between assessment classes will
influence individual tax bills. A
further consideration is the 5 to1 t
non-residential to residential tax rate
ratio cap. This limits how far the
non-residential rate can be set above
the residential rate, which can
constrain options when assessment shifts
between classes. Administration will
bring forward the finalized distribution
across assessment classes and will
facilitate the mill rates with council
when developing the tax rate bylaw to
ensure compliance with the ratio and
maintain the total levy in the final
budget.
The 2026 proposed budget for property
taxes is 27,710,295.
Again, unchanged from 2025.
Exact impacts on individual properties
will be confirmed when the final
assessment numbers and the development
of the tax rate bylaw.
Then we look at special taxes and
frontage which are about 1% of total
proposed revenues. This category
includes the TRU swimming pool levy and
water connection levies collected on
specific properties under the applicable
bylaws. These levies fund defined
purposes. The pool levy supports the
town of Trochu's swimming pool
operations and the water connection
levies relate to cost recovery for
original waterline implementation.
The 2026 proposed budget for special
taxes and frontage is $97,1
which is $151844
lower than 2025. The decrease reflects
the expiry of one water connection levy
and an update to the TroU swimming pool
levy for 2026.
Then we have return on investments which
make up 2% of total proposed revenues.
Um this category represents the planned
operating share of earnings from the
county's investment portfolio. Actual
market returns can fluctuate
significantly year-to-year due to
interest rates and market conditions. So
we budget a stable stable amount for
operations. The 2026 proposed budget for
return on investments is $766,784,
which is unchanged from 2025.
Any returns above this planned operating
amount are typically allocated to
reserves rather than added to ongoing
operations. This approach recognizes the
volatility of investment income and
helps ensure one-time gains are used for
one-time purposes while the operating
budget remains stable and predictable.
Transfers from reserves make up 0% of
total proposed revenues as no transfers
have been included in the proposed
operating budget. This line captures any
operating budget draws from reserves
that council may authorize to balance
the budget or smooth temporary pressure.
The 2026 proposed budget includes no
transfer. In 2025, there was a draw from
the revenue stabilization reserve to
balance the operating budget. For 2026,
the operating plan stands on its own
without reserve support. This approach
aligns with sound financial practices,
using reserves for one-time needs, and
keeping the operating budget sustainable
on recurring revenues.
Finally, within revenues, we have
capital equipment plan sales, which make
3% of total proposed revenues.
This category represents proceeds from
selling used equipment as part of the
county's planned fleet and equipment
replacement cycle. The intent is to
recognize a stable, conservative amount
each year for budgeting while keeping
the capital replacement program funded
through broader capital equipment plan
strategy.
The 2026 proposed budget for capital
equipment plan sales is $100,000, which
was unchanged from 2025.
Any sale proceeds above this budgeted
amount are typically contributed back to
the capital equipment plan reserve. So
onetime gains help fund future
replacements rather than ongoing
operations.
That concludes the portion of this
presentation detailing revenues. Before
I move on to expenditures, are there any
questions from council?
» Councelor Olsen.
>> Yeah. Do we have a detailed uh
» Yeah. Do we have a detailed uh
you know province or form on province
restrictions on our investment funds?
Like I know we're allowed only allowed
to do so many things with that, but is
there uh information that we can get as
council? through the chair. We do have
an investment policy. I don't remember
the number right off the top of my head,
but I can provide that to council.
» Uh, councelor Cunningham,
>> I think I know the answer to this
» I think I know the answer to this
question just because of the way of the
world, but I noticed quite a a decrease
in our revenue on licenses and permits
about $35,000.
This would be maybe a question for the
planning or economic development
department, but I'm guessing we're just
seeing with the cost of doing business,
the cost of running a household, people
just aren't doing what they
traditionally maybe have done.
>> Um through the chair, this one actually
» Um through the chair, this one actually
is one we it had been increased for the
2025 budget. It's actually being reduced
back down to where kind of 2023 and 2024
budget levels were. Um in 2025, there
was some anticipation of some additional
development that we're not necessarily
expecting to continue in 2026.
Councelor Olson,
>> sorry, one more question. Um, is there
» sorry, one more question. Um, is there
like we go through all these topics like
revenue, you know, and expenses and
whatever else, but do we have a side by
side in any of these revenue versus
expense?
Because like if you look at the
campground, the variance is for revenue
is plus $21,925.
But then you go through and you see the
expense and it's up $18,000
in expense for campgrounds. So really, I
mean, we're we're looking at $3,000 925
is to the positive, but you don't see
that till you go through all this mess.
It' be nice to for me anyways to to see
that expense side by side so we know
yeah sure the revenue looks great but
when you see the expense then you can
kind of calculate really quickly what's
a good and a bad thing for us. Sorry. um
through the chair. Absolutely. Um we
have so the department schedule would be
one place to kind of get a little bit
more of a finessed version of what that
might look like, but typically when
we've done historically we've not
budgeted or done reporting on program
basis, we've done it on department
basis. So it's not impossible to do, but
it's a little bit more challenging based
on the way we do the accounting in the
background. For example, the parks
department has salaries that relate to
all parks programs put in there, but we
don't break down those salaries actually
by different functional areas within
there. So, that becomes a little bit
more challenging to put the true numbers
to that. Not impossible, but just not
the way we've typically done it and
would have to be adapted a little bit in
the background to make that function.
But I do try when I'm looking at
something like an expense and a revenue
that are both being adjusted to kind of
note that those things are fluid with
each other and are correlated for sure.
» CEO Cochran,
>> thank you through the reef to all of
» thank you through the reef to all of
council. That's a great question and
it's around what we're looking for is
the feasibility of the service I think
is what you're saying is around are we
cost recovering or not and though that's
data that we're working on in the
background to determine and as Miss
Bombberg said is it's not as easy for us
to be definitive because my salary for
instance CEO or director is aligned
across various budget lines you know a
certain percentage but we can bring back
uh more detailed line by line um but
some of our services of course aren't
cost recovering and they are services we
offer to our residents And those will be
discussions that council will have in
strategic planning around what is a
service you want to provide at a cost
recovery and what do you want to
recover. So as we move forward as a
council as you move forward those those
determinations will come forward and
we'll be able to adjust in the
background. But in terms of cost
recovery for our services we're working
hard to more define that trying to
accommodate for the salary. So for
instance a manager in parks her salary
is aligned across the various services.
So, we kind of got to pick some things
out in order to pull it back. It's not
as simple as like I have a video store
and the staff is they work this many
hours. It's not as simple for us to
figure out as a single service line.
>> One of the thing one of the things that
» One of the thing one of the things that
that this is this is where line line
items would would come in handy for you.
I think that's what you're looking at.
The other side of the coin too is when
we when we do these budgets like this,
it's an a lot of there's a lot of
assumption and there's a lot of putting
things in in grouping things, right? And
I mean that that's where we got to have
a good look at stuff like that. But
yeah, for sure
» we're good. I think
everybody good. Yeah.
Okay, then we move on to the summary of
operating budget expenses. Um, I'm going
to walk through each major expense
category in order explaining what's
included and the key drivers between
year-over-year changes. Um, again, the
detailed subunctions and various
variance explanations for each category
are available in the appendices.
Information in this section directly
ties to appendix C. And then all the
appendix D's are all built into C.
They're just provided more detail in by
department.
So, first we look at contract and
general services which makes up 11% of
total proposed expenses. Um, this
category includes the county's
externally provided and
organizationalwide service costs. So
typical items are software and IT
contracts, insurance, training and
development, repairs and maintenance for
buildings, vehicles and equipment,
professional and contracted support like
audit, engineering, legal, um
advertising and public communications,
waste collection and transfer site
arrangements and other specialized
services that support day-to-day
operations across departments.
Um, we look at so the this slide then
highlights the notable changes between
the 2025 and 2026 budgets. Training and
development has decreased by $70,520
to 316,325
based on historical usage and a
reduction in the number of permanent
positions included in the budget.
Repairs and maintenance for vehicles and
equipment has increased by $41,500
to $186,000,
reflecting higher parts and labor costs
expected for 2026 maintenance needs.
Contracted support has decreased by
$34,200
to $1720
in line with historical trends and a
reallocation of some funding to program
areas delivering outcomes directly
specifically for business retention and
expansion.
Advertising and public relations has
decreased by $73,400
to $105,600
due to historical trends, service level
adjustments, and consolidation of
communication needs.
Campground management has increased by
$18,000 to $80,000 based on updated
updated contract terms for campground
operations, which support risk
management efforts.
Business retention and expansion has
been added at $25,500
to the base operating budget to continue
the program approved in 2025. Again,
this is offset by reduced contracted
support.
Election costs decrease by $18,000 to
$3,000 because the full municipal
election is not required in 2026.
All other subunctions, minor adjustments
are consistent with detailed explanation
in the appendices.
Together, these subline movements
produce the net category total of
$3,497,71
with a net reduction of $106,946.
The decrease reflects targeted
reductions where historical trends
showed room to adjust, offset by
increases in areas like equipment
maintenance and specific service
contracts.
Then we look at materials, goods,
supplies, and utilities, which is 15% of
total proposed expenses.
This category includes uh operating
inputs and consumables used across the
organization. So it includes fuel for
fleet and equipment, water for resale,
shop and general supplies, road
maintenance materials, utilities,
chemicals for weed control and water
treatment, telephone and internet, small
tools and equipment, and other materials
required to keep services running
dayto-day.
And we look at the notable
year-over-year changes. Fuel increased
by $50,000 to $1,188,000
reflecting fuel price and usage trends.
Water for inseil water for resale
increased by $85,692
to1,136,683,
aligning with supplier rate changes and
expected consumption for county water
systems.
Shop supplies decreased by $43,500
to $734,000
based on 2025 trending that is expected
to continue.
Power decreased by $17,589
to $199,68,
reflecting recent billing trends and
efficiencies.
Culverts decreased by $25,000 to $75,000
due to stocking needs based on
historical usage.
Small tools and equipment increased by
17,500 to $47,000.
The increase supports risk management by
maintaining the tools needed for timely
facility and building repairs.
All other subunctions decreased by
$21,723
to $1,545,566
representing minor adjustments
consistent with the detailed
explanations in the appendices.
Together, these subline movements
produce the net category total of
$4,935,857,
a year-over-year increase of $45,380.
Then we look at salaries, wages, and
benefits, which is 36% of total proposed
expenses.
This category includes regular wages,
employer cont pension and group benefit
contributions, statutory contributions
like CPP, EI and WCB,
seasonal staffing and council
renumeration, overtime and fire perdms.
The 2026 proposed total is 11,46,154
which is a decrease of $451,820.
The primary drivers of this are the
elimination of positions and turnover
savings. partially offset by market
merit adjustments and higher statutory
contribution rates.
So salaries themselves decreased by
$417,951
to $7,858,763
reflecting the elimination of three
positions as well as the carbon position
that did not proceed and savings from
turnover of staff. These reductions are
partially offset by merit and market
adjustments.
The pension contributions and benefits
line decreased by $153,171
to1565,914
reflecting lower contribution rates and
the impact of reduced staffing.
Government contributions increased by
$38,543
to $78,535
driven by rate increases particularly
related to WCB.
Seasonal staff decreased by $20,575
to $32,938,
reflecting the removal of two seasonal
positions tied to the former paid
parking program.
Council base pay increased by $51,000 to
$239,400,
which is consistent with policy 3.1
updates, which included market catchup
approved in 2025. Council PDMs increased
by $52,399
to $199,832.
Again, consistent with policy 3.1 market
catchup approved in 2025.
Overtime decreased by $2,65
to $149,772,
reflecting application of current
overtime rates to the budgeted staffing
levels. Fire PDMs have no change and
remain at $21,000.
Together, these adjustments prevent
provide a year-over-year decrease of
$451,820.
Then we look at provision for
allowances, which is 3% of total
proposed expenses. Um, this line
provides an annual allowance for
uncollectible taxes and related write-
offs. It is used when accounts become
uncollectible due to insolveny, council
policy decisions or assets are
transferred to the orphan well
association or when other circumstances
where collection is no longer feasible.
Maintaining this provision supports
prudent budgeting and avoids year in-ear
surprises if a writeoff is required. The
total proposed budget for provision for
allowances is $100,000 and is unchanged
from 2025.
Next, we look at purchases from other
governments, which is 2% of proposed
expenses.
This category includes payments and
requisitions made to other public bodies
for services delivered regionally or
proincially. Core items are the
provincial policing payment, the
Drumheller and District Regional Waste
Commission requisition, the Aqua 7 water
commission requisition, and land title
fees. The 2026 proposed budget is
$92,713,
which is $117,813
higher than 2025. The increase is driven
primarily by the provincial policing
payment with modest increases to the
regional waste requisition.
Then we look to transfers to other
governments, which is 2% of total
proposed expenses. This category
includes payments for the county makes
to other municipalities or regional
partners under formal agreements. The
primary items are ICF recreation, ICF
fire services, and the TROU swimming
pool levy transfer. The 2026 proposed
budget for transfers to other
governments is $698,145,
which is $65,21
lower than 2025.
The decrease reflects the removal of a
previously unused ICF contingency.
Ongoing transfers include ICF
recreation, $348,245,
ICF fire services, $286,000,
and the Trochu swimming pool transfer of
$63,900.
Then we look
>> I'd like to just go back a bit on and
» I'd like to just go back a bit on and
talk about this policing.
um
in in in our uh in our operating budget
are are are county mounties included in
that
uh salary or no separate
>> through the chair that is an amount that
» through the chair that is an amount that
is paid directly to the province pro for
provincial policing.
>> Okay. But in our budget that we have
» Okay. But in our budget that we have
here, the operating budget where it says
uh salaries and wages, are they included
in that?
>> Through the chair, the salaries and
» Through the chair, the salaries and
wages, our staff, it is
>> that's got nothing to do with the other
» that's got nothing to do with the other
services, the emergency services.
>> Well, through the chair, it's our staff
» Well, through the chair, it's our staff
are in that budget, but nothing related
to the province. That payment is just
what's
>> I understand that I'm talking about our
» I understand that I'm talking about our
county.
>> Is their wages included in our stuff
» Is their wages included in our stuff
here?
through the reef. Do you mean our peace
officers or the RCMP? Peace officers.
Yes, the through the RE, the peace
officers are included in our operating
staff wages. Um, anything to do with the
RCMP is a requirement.
>> Yeah, that was my question. Sorry about
» Yeah, that was my question. Sorry about
that. So, I mean, with what's coming up
here with the uh police policing
increase that could get end up going
from zero to 30% is the forecast,
we're going to be paying big dollars for
policing potentially. Does that reflect
the 500? Was that reflected in that 539
or pardon me, whatever the number was?
>> 592.
» 592.
>> 592.
» 592.
>> Yes. through the chair. That is the
» Yes. through the chair. That is the
amount that the province requisitions
and that increase is based on the best
information we have available to date.
It has not been confirmed by the
province.
>> Okay. So that's my question. That does
» Okay. So that's my question. That does
not include that the potential 30% that
could happen to us
>> uh through the chair. The increase from
» uh through the chair. The increase from
the budgeted 2025 to 479,178
to the increase to 592,66
reflects our anticipated incre.
It's just based on the best information
the province has made available to us at
this point.
>> This number does include that 30%.
» This number does include that 30%.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Okay. Um the other side of the coin too
» Okay. Um the other side of the coin too
is I mean that that happening we're
paying a lot for policing along with
having our own peace officers. I'm not
sure that I think that's something we
got to look at. Like do we need all
this? I mean we can't get away from the
provincial policing. That's that's a
given.
But just a thought. Uh, councelor
Olsson.
>> Yeah, sir. Going back to uh the expense
» Yeah, sir. Going back to uh the expense
there, material goods, supplies, and
utilities. Like on the list, we have
small tools and equipment,
and that's like 47,000. But then under
other, we have a third of that expense.
Is this is that item all other just to
to uh to shorten up space on here or why
don't we have gravel crushing in that
cuz it's 750,000 yet we got small tools
and equipment or assist just on this
proposed just to save paper. I I'm not
sure
I just wondered why it was grouped like
that. So sorry
>> through the chair. Can you just under so
» through the chair. Can you just under so
materials, goods, and supplies? I just
want to make sure I understand exactly
what the question is. Um,
>> that's okay. Sometimes my questions
» that's okay. Sometimes my questions
aren't
clear.
>> You're okay.
» You're okay.
>> Could you What sub function?
» Could you What sub function?
>> Sorry. Sorry. No, I just uh under under
» Sorry. Sorry. No, I just uh under under
this expense the 15% or whatever um
like on there and uh it says all other
which is 1.5
let's it's basically a third of this 4
million or whatever and it says the
decreases reflect various expenditures
and adjustments for which found in
appendix C. When I go to appendix C,
then I see like gravel crushing is
$750,000
under that other. So why is it not
>> why does it not kick out the smallest
» why does it not kick out the smallest
tools and equipment? Uh that's only 47
>> or is it just for space in the
» or is it just for space in the
>> I I understand now. So um this
» I I understand now. So um this
presentation is all built on appendix C
is the basis for this one. And so the
presentation itself, what I was trying
to do is just highlight the items that
really had big fluctuations. But if you
look under appendix C, so for materials,
goods, and supplies, and utilities, I'm
just going to flip to the right part.
I've listed um
fuel is one item in here, and water for
resale is one. Shop supplies is one, and
then you get to general supplies. That's
included in that all other. Road
maintenance is included on in that all
other power has been highlighted here
because it had a bigger variance and
then weed control chemicals. So the
gravel crushing is actually in a
separate functional category and does
come up in this presentation. Um
what I was trying to do with the
presentation was give a consolidated
view of the biggest fluctuations and
then from that point it's up to council
if council wishes to go through appendix
C detail line by line appendix all the
appendix D 1 through 15 line by line
that is completely up to council what
they would like to do. Um this
presentation was really just intended to
come up to highlight the really big
fluctuations that have come between the
two budgets.
>> Okay. Thanks. That's kind of what I
» Okay. Thanks. That's kind of what I
>> I was
» I was
okay.
» Yeah. No, I was just wondering why other
was like a third of what that Yeah. But
I I thanks for the explanation,
>> Council Cunningham.
» Council Cunningham.
>> I just want to go back to that policing
» I just want to go back to that policing
cost. Um, one thing last term that I
learned that I really didn't know before
I sat on council was the amount of
provincial downloading that's happening.
So, I think it's really important for
our rateayers to be aware of that. We
have no control over that. That's a huge
increase in one year and and like you
say, we're trying to budget with a
number we don't even know what it's
going to be. Has the province given us
any any indication of what month we're
looking at or No. Okay. Well, that's
helpful. So that's that's a good topic
for RMA. Um and maybe this is an
appendex E, but I just want to go back
to those expenses, material, goods, and
supplies. 734,000
in shop supplies. Um is it a are we able
to get a more detailed breakdown of that
or is that am I missing that somewhere
in here?
>> This is what we need to look at
» through the chair. So, the detail in
appendix C for shop supplies on that
item includes parts for servicing and
maintaining all county vehicles and
equipment as well as small specialty
tools. includes $419,000 for parts,
$100,000 for tires, $100,000 for bulk
oil, $55,000 for specialty tools,
$25,000 for consumables, $20,000 for
batteries, um emergency management kit
supplies, hand signs and ladders for
peace officer vehicles, signs, first aid
kits, fire extinguisher for fire chief
vehicle, and spraying equipment parts
and materials.
So that's in appendix C on page nine of
appendix C.
the second line of data.
If you like, I can pull it up on the
screen, too. I have all the appendices.
>> That would be awesome. Thank you.
» That would be awesome. Thank you.
>> Absolutely.
Any
other questions so far? You you okay,
Council Olsson?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Carry on.
» I promise I did my best to try and make
those appendices as accessible as
possible. There's a lot of data and it
is
>> well one of the things one of the things
» well one of the things one of the things
you got to remember too is I mean half
of this stuff is what we present to or
what was presented to us as rateayers
without the line items.
>> So I mean it's real hard when I was
» So I mean it's real hard when I was
trying to before I was a counselor
trying to figure out and break down each
one of these general budgets because
there's so much stuff in in them that
that isn't being reported and lots of
stuff can get hidden in them, right? So
there is a lot of stuff here that we
need to look at. So thanks.
» Okay. Are we good to continue? Okay.
Did this one. Um,
okay. I think we left off here. If I
remember correctly, my apologies.
Transfers to individuals and
organizations makes up about 1% of total
proposed expenses. So this category
includes grants and contributions the
county provides to community groups and
initiatives under council approved
policies for community halls, youth
sponsorships, arts and culture arena
operations along with other council
directed programs delivered through
formal motions and established
programming.
The 2026 proposed budgets for transfers
to individuals and organizations is
$280,57
which is $40,500 lower than 2025. The
decrease reflects a reduction to council
directed support, the reallocation of
the grant writer program to FCSS, which
is now shown under transfers to local
boards and agencies, and the removal of
the cemeteries grant due to lack of
program uptake.
Then we look at transfers to local
boards and agencies, which makes up 4%
of total proposed expenses. This
category includes the county's
contributions to external boards and
agencies that deliver community services
on a regional basis. The two items in
this category are family and community
support services or FCSS and
participation in the Maragold library
system. The 2026 proposed budget is
$152,356
which is $16,890
higher than 2025. The increase is
primarily due to shifting the grant
writer program to FCSS to better align
the service with community support
delivery.
Then we look at contributions to
reserves which make up 29% of total
expenses for a total of 9,137,542.
This category represents the county's
plan transfers into reserves that
support long-term sustainability.
These contributions ensure that onetime
capital replacements and risk management
needs are funded without placing
pressure on the annual operating budget.
The proposed budget is $143,16
lower than 2025. The decrease is due to
the expiry of a water collection levy,
which reduces the contribution to the
water reserve. Base and capital
equipment plan contributions continue at
planned levels to maintain responsible
funding for future capital and system
renewal.
And then lastly, within operating
functional areas and expenses, there's
gravel or inventory projects, which is
2% of total proposed expenses. This
category represents the county's annual
allocation for gravel crushing at the
Torington gravel pit. The crushed gravel
is added to inventory and used
throughout the year for maintenance of
the gravel road network. This ensures
that road crews have reliable access to
material when needed and that the county
maintains consistent service levels
across its rural road system. The
proposed budget is unchanged at
$750,000.
This stable allocation supports
predictable road maintenance operations
and continues the county's program of
maintaining adequate inventory each
year.
That concludes the component on the
operating budget. Um before I move on to
three-year operating forecast, are there
any questions?
» Think we're good.
So, next we look at the three-year
operating forecast. Um, the financial
forecast is a forward-looking tool that
helps council anticipate future
financial trends and challenges. The
municipal government act requires the
county to approve a three-year operating
forecast and a 5-year capital forecast
each year. This presentation includes
the three-year operating forecast. The
capital forecast was presented to
council on November 25th. Forecasts
provide a big picture view of upcoming
financial trends, major projects, and
potential pressures. It's important to
note that forecasts are not budgets.
They do not give administration
authority to spend funds. They are for
planning and decision-making only.
Forecasts help council look ahead, spot
risks early, and make informed
decisions.
So, why does a forecast matter? Again,
it's essential for long-term financial
sustainability and strategic alignment.
It gives council a view beyond the
annual budget, helping to plan for
future needs and challenges. They help
manage reserves, debt, and the impact of
tax changes more effectively. They build
transparency and confidence in financial
decision-making for both council and the
public. By looking ahead, council can
make proactive choices, avoid surprises,
and ensure the county remains
financially healthy. Again, for
forecasting is a cornerstone of
responsible municipal governance. It
helps support informed decisions,
protect service levels, and help council
deliver on long-term goals.
This slide highlights the key revenue
trends in the three-year operating
forecast. So what's been included is how
major revenue categories are expected to
change based on current policies,
historical activity, and known program
adjustments. It focuses on the
categories where movements are most
material from 2027 to 2729.
Um growth of goods and services has a
forecasted increase of 3.66%.
Um, growth reflects trendbased changes
in user fee areas such as water
distribution and bulk water activity,
campground fees following the 2026 base
adjustment, and service-based fees that
move with utilization. No new rate
assumptions are included unless directly
indicated by council. So, for example,
if council had a strategy on water rates
for the next few years, those would be
reflected. But unless that strategy
exists, we only adjust based on usage,
not on rate adjustments.
Rental income has a forecasted increase
of 1.0. 06% moderate growth aligns with
existing lease and rental agreements as
they adjust over time under current
terms. No structural change is assumed
in the forecast window. And then SP
special taxes and frontage has a
forecasted decrease of 31 34.19%.
Um the decline reflects the expiry of
time limited water connection levies.
The remaining revenues relate primarily
to the TRU swimming pool levy.
These trend drivers are directional and
align with the principles used in the
detailed schedules. They help illustrate
where revenues are likely to move. The
forecast is updated annually to reflect
council direction, assessment outcomes,
and any adjustments to fees or programs.
Then we look at expense trend drivers.
Um again, what's included is how major
expense categories are expected to
change based on current contracts,
historical consumption, and known
pressures. It focuses on the categories
with the largest influence on the 2027
to 2029 outlook.
We've got a forecasted increase in G
contract and general services of 6.73%.
Growth is driven by insurance renewal
pressures, major maintenance for aging
facilities and assets, and IT or
software contracts that escalate under
multi-year agreements.
Materials, goods, supplies, and
utilities has a forecasted increase of
2.94% by 2029. Moderate growth reflects
fuel, operating supplies, water for
resale, and utility costs that track
market pricing and system usage.
Salaries, wages, and benefits has a
forecasted increase of 6.41%.
This line assumes a flat policy based
escalation consistent with recent budget
cycles, capturing expected market merit
adjustments um and statutory
contribution changes over time. So this
one is one where we've literally just
applied a similar an average change
number to that number for the next few
years completely fluctuates based on
council direction each year.
Contributions to reserve has a
forecasted slight decrease of.36%
um is a movement reflecting the expiry
of time limited levies and maintaining
core contributions.
Again these trends reflect current
policy and service levels. council can
adjust them during budget cycles as
better information becomes available and
then they're consequently upgradated by
administration.
Then we look at how the consolidated
forecast for the tough revenues,
expenses, and the annual shortfall from
the 2027 to 2029 planning window. Um
what it's showing is revenues are moving
gradually with trends based changes in
user fees and program lines holding tax
levy assumptions flat until council sets
tax policy. Expenses reflect the trend
drivers you just saw in contracted
services, materials, utilities,
compensation, and planned reserve
contributions. The difference between
the two lines shows a shortfall that
grow that grows if no policy, service or
fa phasing actions are taken. So, we're
looking at 2029 based on current
trending of shortfall of $876,545.
Again, this is just based on the
information that administration has
available and those get adjusted as
council sets more direction and we can
further refine those numbers.
Okay. Um, the next piece is a budget
overview which takes the operating
budget presented today, the pre-approval
projects done in September, and the
proposed projects presented to council
in November and puts it all together.
Before I move on, are there any
questions from council?
Good to go.
Okay, so this again this overview now
consolidates basically at this point
council's been presented with proposed
projects and and the proposed operating
budget at a high level. And this just
summarizes everything that's been
included in the proposed budget to date.
So this slide shows a summary of the
proposed operating budget. At this point
in time, we're looking at a surplus of
$139,683.
Then we have the pre-approval project
listing which includes the capital
equipment plan which was $5,256,000.
This includes fleet and equipment
replacements that have reached end of
life and are required to maintain safe
reliable delivery. This includes pickup
trucks, seasonal rentals, graders, a
loader, a semi-truck, an end dump, a
plow truck, a fire engine, and essential
shop and ground equipment like a mower,
chipper, and pressure washer.
These replacements keep downtime low,
support winter and road maintenance, and
ensure frontline and emergency services
have dependable equipment.
Then we have budget for phased projects.
One is bridge file 13480
which is has a budget of $3,520,000
which is funded for $880,000 from the
roads reserve and $2,640,000
for a stip grant. This is one where the
counties applied for stip grant funding.
If that funding is not approved, this
project will not proceed because there
is not the funding available as approved
by council. Then there's Hamlet
infrastructure upgrades for $1,650,000.
The Lynen Road pavement overlay for
$4,39,000.
Um a covert replacement on Township Road
304 for $1,430,000.
The road rural road stabilization
program for $4125,000.
$412,500,
major bridge maintenance for $242,000,
and then operating projects including
the gravel purchase program for
$2,695,000,
ERP implementation for $560,000,
the regional SCADA master plan for
$220,000, which is anticipated to be
funded through the ACB grant. Again, if
that grant is not approved, that project
will not proceed.
And then there's one operating
initiative which is a three-year
economic development tourism and
marketing strategy for $38,500.
And then we look at the proposed project
listing. So these are projects that the
previous slide are projects that have
been approved by council. These are
proposed projects that have been
included that were presented in November
and are being proposed um for approval
to be brought back at the February 10th
meeting for approval to in order to
facilitate initiation of work.
Um, under maintenance of existing
assets, there's the roads in need annual
program for $275,000,
which is to address deteriorating
segments of rural roadways ways that
require urgent attention. The 2026 work
focuses on feasibility studies and
design so that the county would be
shovel ready ready for future upgrades.
There's a tower project for $187,000
to be funded from the infrastructure
reserve. Um, and this is to dispose or
maintain of our five legacy
communication towers which are no longer
being used for emergency services. The
scope includes dismantling unused towers
and repairs or maintenance for ones
still supporting regional broadband.
Then we have admin and FCSS parking lot
repairs for $85,300
funded from the capital building
replacement reserve. um complete
concrete and safety improvements at the
Nihill County Administration and Three
Hills FCSS parking lots, including curb
replacement, rubber wheel stops for
visibility, and traffic control signage.
Then under replacement of existing
assets, there's overhead door
replacement and repairs for $140,300
funded from the capital building replace
building capital replacement reserve.
This is replacing priority overhead
doors and components across facilities
where inspections identified structural
or mechanical concerns.
Then there's the threehole south gate
replacement um and security control
upgrades for $88,000 funded from the
building capital replacement reserve.
This is to replace the south gate
operation um and keypad access controls
at the maintenance shop. Um, as the
system is at the end of its useful life,
there's heater replacements at the old
Three Hills shop for $61,600
to be funded from the capital building
capital replacement reserve. This is the
replacement of five radiant tube heaters
and one forced air furnace due to
failures, physical damage, and end of
life.
There's the body cam system replacement
for $60,000 to be funded from the
transitional fund reserve. This is to
replace the Nihil County Peace Officer's
bodywn camera system because the
original provider ceased operations. So
there are no longer parts or support for
that programming.
Body cams remain a critical safety or an
evidence tool paired with in-car systems
and must meet secure storage and audit
trail requirements.
Then there's 110 snowb blades for
$55,000 funded from the capital
equipment reserve replaced to replace
two end of life blades units on 110
trucks to reduce repair downtime and
improve winter operation reliability.
There's capital computer purchases for
$49,500
to be funded from the IT reserve which
is the replacement of nine laptops, one
printer and the on-remise watchguard
server.
Then there's building up co code
upgrades for $43,500
to be funded from the building capital
replacement reserve. This is to address
code related deficiencies identified in
facility condition assessments including
potable water backflow prevention, hot
water tank replacements, and safety
upgrades.
There's the sign storage building
replacement for $11,000 to be funded
through the building's capital
replacement reserve to remove the
deteriorated water damaged sign storage
structure and install a new CCAN with
lighting and shelving storage
modifications.
And then there's the Mihan Cemetery
fence replacement for $88 $8,800
to be funded $5,450
by St. An's Catholic Cemetery and $3,350
from the parks reserve.
Then we look at new assets. There's the
class 3 landfill cell development and
approval for $275,000.
This is to engage a consultant to design
a new landfill cell, produce engineered
drawings, and submit for approval to
Alberta Environment. The cell would be
within the Torington transfer site to
maintain service levels and regulatory
compliance.
Then there's the peace officer incar
radio installation for $33,000 to be
funded from the transitional fund
reserve. This is installing A-Fra in-car
radios to boost coverage where handhelds
struggle like in river valley areas
which will improve officer safety and
meet communication requirements from
hazard assessments.
There's armadillo traffic counters for
$15,400
funded from the roads reserve to
purchase and deploy an additional pair
of counters at rotating sites to verify
track traffic volumes and vehicle sizes
supporting road planning, maintenance
scheduling, and grant applications with
accurate data.
Then we have the phase project for
bridge file 02288
for $275,000 to be funded from the roads
reserve. This is to complete engineering
and design for the replacement of this
bridge file with a current structural
rating of 33.3%.
This would be delivering assessments,
drawings, and cost estimates so
construction can pro proceed when
funding is available and to strengthen
future grant applications.
And then under operating projects or
initiatives, we have aerial photo
updates for $99,000
um funded from the infrastructure
reserve, which is full replacement of
the county aerial imagery on a 4-year
cycle, improving mapping accuracy and
usability across departments to support
planning, asset management, and
operational decisions.
And we have solid waste rolloff bins for
$35,200 funded from the infrastructure
reserve to provide residents an
alternative to the main landfill by
staging rolloff bins at a supervised
transfer site twice per year improving
convenience and supporting responsible
waste management.
Then we have Lucas for fire torington
fire department for $33,000 to be funded
$25,000 from the medical first
responders grant and $8,000 from the
infrastructure reserve. This is
acquiring a man mechanical CPR device to
maintain the first response level of
service, improve CPR quality and
consistency on medical calls and reduce
responder strain.
We have the county pastor reunation
project for $29,700
to be funded by the rangeand
sustainability grant program. This will
restore and enhance the ecological
health and productivity of the 270 acre
smaltz pasture through receding, weed
control, and soil amendments. The W shop
operates upgrades for $9,100 to be
funded from the building capital
replacement reserve which is minor res
renovations and equipment to create more
functional dedicated in-house workspace
for facilities and utilities to support
efficiency and ongoing maintenance work.
And then the last piece is the general
generator maintenance program for
$16,500
to be funded from the water reserve in
2026 and then to be put into the ongoing
operating budget in 2027. Um contracted
annual maintenance for water pump house
generators to ensure reliable backup
power and uninterrupted water service.
» You okay?
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Oh yeah.
» Oh yeah.
>> Great. Uh just just to just just to
» Great. Uh just just to just just to
clarify uh these are proposed projects.
They haven't been approved yet. We we
approve them right
>> through the chair. That is correct.
» through the chair. That is correct.
>> Okay. Next question.
» Okay. Next question.
Where do we have any room on here for
proposed projects that council proposes
>> through the chair? That is by council
» through the chair? That is by council
direction.
>> If council wishes for projects to come
» If council wishes for projects to come
forward, that is council direct. But I'm
just saying there's no there's no place
here right now. So when we when we for
for a budget dollars and cents wise,
right?
So if we wanted to propose a project
that needed to be done, we need a place
to put it. Correct.
CEO,
>> thank you for your excitement. Uh
» thank you for your excitement. Uh
through the reef to all of council
councils can propose a project at any
time through a motion. Give us a motion,
we'll add it to the budget and then it
will come back. So this is the great
opportunity for you to propose a project
that you want worked on through motion.
Council votes, we add it and then it
comes back into the next version of the
budget. So at C anytime council can add
a project, it's your budget, your
decision.
>> Councelor Olsen.
» Councelor Olsen.
>> Yeah, if I could go to the uh aerial
» Yeah, if I could go to the uh aerial
photo update. So that's done every four
years I believe you said. And is this
used primarily for uh municipal planning
commission or or what are the other uses
and and why can't we use Google Earth if
it's four years old anyways
» uh through the chair I believe our it is
more detailed than what Google Earth
provides us. So it gives us more um
ability to do asset management on our
stuff. It gives us more ability to do
more refined mapping.
>> I think that's a good uh comment. I
» I think that's a good uh comment. I
mean, I've been on on projects
throughout Alberta and across Canada and
that's all we used was Google Earth and
that it's something we should look into.
CEO Cochman.
» Oh, sorry.
>> That's okay. I was just going to give
» That's okay. I was just going to give
the floor to council. No, it's good.
Through the through the chair to all of
council. These maps provide us with our
aerials for our GIS system. So when you
look on our website and you want to go
find a map, that's where we get the data
from. And so we can drill down onto
every specific location. We Google maps
can't provide us with the detailed data
that we get through this system. Now I
ask this question as well. Can it be put
off? Certainly it can be. This is our
standard though. We do it every four
years. Council's welcome to push it off
a year or two. But it is beneficial for
our rateayers and for planning to be
able to have accurate data for our maps.
>> Uh councelor Woodstock
» on my mic.
Yeah, these uh maps we generally partner
with other municipalities to cheapen up
the cost. I don't know if it's happening
this time or not, but they do give us
far more superior data. There's layers.
We can incorporate gas uh lines, gas
wells, uh boundaries, uh like
subdivision boundaries. Uh they go into
far greater detail than you'll ever find
on Google Maps. And a lot of this stuff
is very important for not only
municipal planning, but it's also
important for operations. There's a lot
of things that these maps provide that
uh other
other uh Google maps or whatever you
want to call it, other mapping systems,
these are far superior to those. So, and
they're used quite often in the county.
» Thank you.
>> Keep it short. Keep it short. through
» Keep it short. Keep it short. through
the chair to all of council. We have
some great folks in the background
listening to help fill in the details.
So these maps are far more detailed than
our aerial maps. They're used for our
planning subdivisions, reszoning,
mapping infrastructure, water valves,
curb stops, rural water valves,
culverts. So it's very detailed on all
of our infrastructure and our assets. We
can't get this detail from Google Maps.
They don't provide it.
» Council,
>> so I know we're going to be doing a a
» so I know we're going to be doing a a
tour. So, this um eventually might
answer these questions, but um just for
the rate pairs as well, um we called it
the old the old Three Hills shop. I'm
assuming that's at the where our main
shop is. Um could you or could someone
give me detail on what that shop, what
we do at that shop that isn't done at
the main shop because I noticed like
it's about a almost $62,000 cost to that
» through the reef to all of council. can
answer that one. We used the currently
use the old shop for equipment storage.
Equipment that can't get cold is stored
in that space, but we're also looking
for direction from council on what they
want to do with that space. Um, and that
will probably be a topic for strategic
planning session. Currently, we do use
it though for equipment storage for
stuff that can't get really cold.
>> Okay, thank you. That Yeah, you answered
» Okay, thank you. That Yeah, you answered
my
>> prior at our prior interm budget, we
» prior at our prior interm budget, we
spoke on that also. I mean, we we didn't
build this big shop to have that shop
sitting there along with the white
building. We need to go down have a look
at it. I mean some of that stuff should
be sold. Um we don't need it's just
ongoing like I'm like there's a lot of
stuff in here I'm not in favor of like
but we can discuss that when it gets in.
Yeah. Yeah. For sure.
>> You need a break for 10 minutes?
» You need a break for 10 minutes?
>> Sure.
» Sure.
>> Let's take a break for 10 minutes.
All right, 10:18. Let's get back to uh
the uh budget proposals.
>> Go ahead.
» Go ahead.
>> All right, so before the break, we went
» All right, so before the break, we went
over the proposed project listing. Um
this next slide looks at proposed and
pre-approval project summary. So this is
combining those two different schedules.
Um the total proposed project and
pre-approval project budget is
$21,948,900.
Um and they're organized into seven
categories. So maintenance of existing
assets sits at 6.6 million. New assets
sits at $323,400.
New initiatives at $55,000. Operating
projects at $3,681,000,
phase projects at $5,445,000,
replacement of existing assets at
$517,700,
and capital equipment plan purchases at
$5,256,000.
And then we looked at the funding
summary. So this is the same total
information, but put into where the
funding sources is rather than the type
of project. Um and they're funded
through a mix of reserves and grants. Um
so you look at there's $7,326,900
coming from the roads reserve,
$5,311,000
coming from the capital equipment
replacement reserve. Um grants, there's
n $2,914,700
coming from grants. Uh the gravel
reserve is 2 $2,695,000.
1,6606
$66,500 from the water reserve, $64,200
in from the infrastructure reserve,
$560,000 from the contingency reserve,
$438,800
from the building capital replacement
reserve,
$131,500
from the transitional fund reserve, 400
or $242,000 from the bridge reserve,
$49,500 from the IT reserve, 335 50 from
the parks reserve and $5,450
from community funding.
Uh the distribution shows a heavy
emphasis on core asset programs with
targeted use of other reserves for
facilities, water, and contingency.
And then this last one just ties in
appendix G, which is also included in
the proposed in the um report itself.
Um, we've got operating budget
contributions of $9,137,542.
Uh, proposed project draws of 19,28,750.
This includes pre-approved and proposed
2026 projects.
And then the projected remaining
available balance, so basically this is
money that has not been allocated to any
project is 59,455,261.
So this plan funds 2026 projects from
reserves and grants while maintaining
available balances for future years.
Base operating transfers and reserves
continue um supporting capital equipment
plan and core infrastructure.
And so then that comes to our last
section of the presentation piece today.
Um and it just highlights the remaining
steps in the 2026 budget process. So the
first piece this these next couple
slides reflect items with budget changes
made by administration that we're
highlighting to ensure council
awareness. Again this list isn't
exhaustive. Council may discuss to may
wish to discuss any aspect of the
budget. But these ones next few items
are just items where administration has
either changed something or feels that
there might be room to change something
and is recommending those items as
council discussion. The first is
horseshoe canyon paid parking. Um, so no
revenue or expenditure is included in
the 2026 operating budget to support
this program. Um, if council supports
approval, the parking fee will be taken
out of the master rates bylaw at its
next update. Then there's campground
fees. There's an operating budget um has
a $5 per night increase included in it.
Um, again, if council supports this, the
rates will be updated in the next master
rates bylaw.
And then the cemeteries grant, this is
one that came in under policy 2.2. um
and it's not been utilized in recent
years. So administration's not included
this amount in the budget, but this
would require council resend the policy
itself.
And then we look at water for resale. So
the supplier pricing for most of the
county systems is increasing by 8% for
2026. Um the budget reflects this
increased cost because it's a cost that
we h have no choice but to pay in order
to provide water to our systems. Um, but
we have not increased the actual rates
within the operating budget in alignment
with that increased cost of water. So,
that's something that council can then
decide where we look at our current
rates and what kind of increase or
adjustment council may wish to make. Um,
our current rates are $45 per cube for
gravityfed systems, $2.55 for well-fed
systems, and $5.15 for bulk water.
Um, just for some context, a $1 increase
in the monthly base fee generates about
$10,000 increased revenue and a 10-cent
increase in cube rates generates about
$18,000 on the water systems themselves.
And our purchase price is increasing
anywhere between 20 cents per cube and
27 cents per cube.
And then we've just looked this other
one as total reserve contributions in
the proposed budget are lower in 2026
for then in 2025 due to the expiry of
time limited special levies. Um and
we've just flagged this item because
they've decreased by $143,16
and it's just something that council
should be cognizant of as going through
the budget to ensure the long-term
sustainability of assets.
>> I want to go back to the water for a
» I want to go back to the water for a
minute. Um we got an 8% increase. Uh I'm
gathering that's for production of the
water to us
>> through the chair. That's our purchase
» through the chair. That's our purchase
price per cube from our suppliers for
water systems. Yes.
>> So I gather it's because of them doing
» So I gather it's because of them doing
upgrades or uh you would know Jerry or
councelor Woodstock.
>> We were projected to have a 5% increase
» We were projected to have a 5% increase
in the water rates coming from our hub
which is the Drumheller water treatment
system.
for some reason it came back at 8%.
So we can't just we haven't been able to
figure out why.
Uh we are supposed to be meeting with
Drum Heler. I'm hoping that we do get a
meeting, but that is also one of the
things that we're doing through that
committee that I've been placed on. And
what we're trying to do there is trying
to determine how water rates are
calculated throughout the province like
what how to get those numbers correct so
we can use the same methodology
throughout the province to calculate. Of
course the water rates will not be
consistent through the province but the
way to calculate them should be
consistent. So hopefully if we can get
this through, I think we're due to have
the final report done by March the 31st
of this year and then it'll go to the
province and the province will instigate
that. But the reason that 8% is there is
because that is exactly what the
governer
raised the water rates coming in to the
Aqua 7 system.
But I don't know what the increase in
rates have been from Three Hills into
our Mount Vernon and uh equity systems.
So
>> yeah, one one of the question one of the
» yeah, one one of the question one of the
questions I have is we can't we can't
absorb these hits. We got to get cost
recovery on this. We're already sitting
at 700,000 subsidies on on water systems
and that just ain't cutting it. So I
mean we we add another 8%.
We better be collecting some
revenue here. Uh, councelor Olson.
>> Yeah, I agree. There's if we're getting
» Yeah, I agree. There's if we're getting
an 8% increase, it has it has to be
passed on. I mean, I don't like it
either, but uh also one of my questions
was and maybe uh councelor Woodstock can
uh address this too is how often have we
been getting increases
um from either the town or from Aqua 7?
Um just so we're not are are we going to
be doing this every year?
Yes,
>> it's been fairly consistent that every
» it's been fairly consistent that every
year the there is an increase in the
cost of water. uh we do pass that
increase along to our residents
but our residents we also have to be
cognizant that we have to be competitive
with the towns and villages as far as
water rates go.
So, I mean, there is ways to figure this
out, but doing it strictly through water
rates, that would put our water rates
probably at $7 per cube plus
while our towns and villages are sitting
in that 4450
area.
I don't know if it'd be sustainable for
the county to raise our water rates to
that $7 plus because I think anybody
that's on these water rates know what
they're paying currently.
And to increase it that much would be
well it would be a hit to someone's
budget. That's for sure.
>> I I understand that. But the other side
» I I understand that. But the other side
of the coin too is we it's something we
need to look at because I mean you're
you're you're uh decide or you're
comparing like the towns and villages.
I'm gathering like three hills, Chosu,
etc.
>> The urbans within our municipality.
» The urbans within our municipality.
>> Yeah. And and our our our people, right?
» Yeah. And and our our our people, right?
Like Huxley's and stuff like that. Well,
Huxley would be considerably less
because they're on the wellfed system.
>> I Yep. But there's still there's still
» I Yep. But there's still there's still
that there's still that dollars and
cents that we're subsidizing throughout
the whole the whole area. So, I think
it's something we got to look at. I
mean, we can't we can't just go along
subsidizing everybody. The rate like
>> Well, we're not sitting in an island
» Well, we're not sitting in an island
here saying that we're the only ones
subsidizing. The tax villages are up and
I'm not saying that you did. All I'm
saying is that it's most systems, water,
sewer systems in the province are
subsidized to some sort of an extent. U
whether that's wrong or right, I'm not
here to say, but I know that our current
county rates will increase
uh because of the increase of the water
coming into
the Aqua 7 system. But there are
different ways to generate revenue like
we've had u
oh local improvement tax and what's the
other one that we have the ability to do
on land. But regardless of um there
there is ways of doing it. We just taken
770 722,000 off because after 15 years
that last water system has now come off
the books. So we no longer get that uh
income from it because after 15 years
that was that was the way the bylaw was
written. So
but uh we've got seven seven separate
water systems and they've all come off
and this is the last one that's come
off. So anyway, I'm not going to prolong
the discussion. Coh CEO Cochran.
>> Thank you through the reef to all of
» Thank you through the reef to all of
council. Um, we have a great dashboard
that we'll bring in front of council
that will talk about our ro that'll show
you the water rates in live time where
you can adjust water rates and see how
that impacts the the revenue and the
recoveries. Um, certainly there council
I can understand a strategy to get us
closer to recovery, but that's something
um that you'll want to look at through
the strategic planning and the policy,
but we do have the capacity to support
you in seeing what decisions make in
real time. So if you increase by 5 cents
per cube, you can see what that impact
is in terms of our revenue. As m
councelor Witstock did indicate, there's
other ways for us to bring in revenue
through special improvement taxes and
such. Um and those will be things for
council to consider as you move through
your term
everybody. Okay?
>> All righty. Thanks.
» Okay. Um so this is my last slide of my
presentation component of today. Um and
it just looks at what the next steps are
from here in the budget process. So
throughout the process, administration
has been logging any questions asked.
Today we're logging any questions that
are asked um so that we can provide
clear responses back in future budget
sessions. Um so that will continue. If
there are questions outside of these
presentations, they can be directed to
CEO Cochran who will then can ensure
that those are included in any future
presentations.
Um, so then again, administration then
provides responses and follow-ups. So
any changes to numbers or assumptions
are shown side by side with the original
information. So anything that changes in
the budget now will look we've got that
1930 thou $139,000
surplus. Anything that gets adjusted
will then be specifically tracked so we
can log exactly where the proposed
budget to the final adopted budget gets
to. Um and then budget deliberations and
balancing. So council then from this
point forward administration has put
forward everything that administration
would like to put forward to the for the
2026 budget. And realistically, it's in
council's hands to look at what things
they want to look further into, what
questions they want answered, how water
rates might be adjusted for that
example. Right? Administration knows the
cost is increased, but administration
doesn't know where council wants to go
with those rates. So, that's something
that administration's flagged as a
council discussion item because it's not
something that we're going to like
directly put a number to. Um the next
time I you see me I will have a budget
dashboard for council and what that's
intended to do is provide some sort of
visual aspect of where changes are
affecting the budget. So it provides a
live update of shortfall or surplus. Um
it'll calculate any tax changes. It'll
calculate water rate impact. So we try
and look at what the average impact to
an acreage owner or a hamlet owner would
be depending on different changes in
water rates. what the average impact on
a low bulk water user versus a high
usage bulk water user might be. Um, and
then anything else that we kind of
identify or council tells us they're
willing to look at, we kind of try to
specifically build that into that
dashboard. Um, it'll also include things
like budget project approvals and how
they impact reserve balances to try and
allow council to scenario plan and see
what what how decisions would play out
within the budget. Um again, as
mentioned before, administration is um
asking whether council would be would
consider looking at project approvals at
the February 10th meeting for the
remaining projects that have not been
approved to date. Um again, the
intention of that is in order to
facilitate those projects being able to
be initiated within the year. Um they
are some of them most of them are
already on somebody's project plan and
so until those are approved by council,
no work can proceed on them. And then
again, once council's looked at
everything, once council's deliberated
the budget, once council is comfortable
with where the budget is at, um,
administration will tie up all the loose
ends and put it all together in
schedules. That would be the final
budget that would be put forward for
council approval. Um, within that, um, I
know we talk about before April 30th,
sometime in April, the tax rate bylaw
also needs to be passed, um, either in
conjunction with the final approved
budget or after the final approved
budget, depending on where council is
comfortable with that and when council's
deliberations kind of come to a
conclusion. Um, we will get final
assessment numbers late February, early
March. Um, and then we can kind of look
at how assessment is shifted, how that
would impact rate payers based on the
distribution of assessment, whether we
keep a flat line over the exact same
amount of property tax as is currently
included in the budget, how that would
impact a residential rateayer versus a
farmland versus a non-residential
rateayer.
Um, yeah, so thank you for your time
today. Um, I am happy to answer any
other questions, collect any other
questions or guidance from council to
ensure what we come back with. The next
stage provides council with the
information that they need. Um, yeah,
thank you.
>> Thanks for your presentation. Um, I
» Thanks for your presentation. Um, I
actually think we need to decide what
we're going to do if we're going to do
some line item budget and take some time
and separate have a a couple days of a
budget review.
something to think about.
» Everybody okay with that? Thinking about
that one?
>> Mhm.
» Mhm.
>> Yeah, I think that'd be important.
» So, we we have to actually give
direction. So, I mean that that's the
direction we'd like to go. So, we we set
up some some times to to go through this
through the budget line items and uh at
a council at a national budget meeting
» as far as as far as the information
council C or CEO Cochran
>> through the reef to all of council. So,
» through the reef to all of council. So,
council's within their you know you can
sit with the budget but any decisions
you made have to be made in this council
chamber. So any motions, any changes?
Um, in my 30 years in government, I've
always participated in public budget
deliberations. This is fairly common.
I've never done closed door sessions
because anything that you debate in
closed doors has to be brought back to
the council table. You have to debate it
in council and you have to vote on it in
council. It is a public process. This is
a public budget and we want to ensure
transparency and that's why we do it in
a public council meeting. In response to
your your your response uh council or
CEO Cochran yeah that's correct we will
be doing approving the budget in the
council meeting but prior to that there
is stuff that we need to go through this
budget line item by line item and we
need to put forth what we feel is the
budget what we feel needs to be cut what
we feel were p where costs need to be
taken out andor things need to be
changed and in order for us to do that,
we cannot do that in a public meeting
because there could be we could be
affecting people and people's jobs.
That's why we do it on a separate
meeting and then we come out and then we
come out out of out of that and we bring
forth that the budget that we came
through in in a council meeting.
» Councelor Dunningham.
So, didn't do I can't even remember if
we did this last term, but would my
understanding be that we would call a
special meeting of council to go over
budget like it would be an additional
meeting that we add to the schedule. Is
that correct?
>> Uh through the reef tall of council that
» Uh through the reef tall of council that
would still be a public meeting.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Yeah. Absolutely. And that is the
» Yeah. Absolutely. And that is the
preferred is that council budget
deliberations are in a public meeting
where you're able to discuss, provide
motions and vote. um that is critical
for the the process for transparency and
for governance
>> with the ability to move into close
» with the ability to move into close
session.
>> Absolutely. Yes. Through the brief if
» Absolutely. Yes. Through the brief if
we're talking about personnel or changes
to personnel or salary budgets we would
move into camera. We certainly would not
be talking about people's positions but
one way or another whether you come in
or out of the chamber you still have to
make the motion. So at some point people
are going to recognize that we've made
decisions or you've made decisions
related to their positions. That is part
of the job. It's part of the way we do
budgets.
» Any other concerns or questions?
» Do we need a motion to set up the
meeting ahead of time? Okay.
I think we should, if we're going to do
it, we have to propose that meeting.
I move that we have a uh
budget meeting with council and in due
to to proper procedures special
budget
>> are we talking are we talking with in c
» are we talking are we talking with in c
or uh online or are we talking just
separate
>> well we have to go online by what
» well we have to go online by what
>> well we don't have to go online Okay.
» well we don't have to go online Okay.
>> We actually don't
» We actually don't
>> like I I understand where you're coming
» like I I understand where you're coming
from, but when we're going to sit down
and discuss things, we we're going to go
into a strategic plan that we don't
we're not in in line or in a special
meeting. We're not in a council meeting.
We're going to talk strategic planning.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> That's by ourselves.
CEO Cochran
>> uh through the re strategic planning is
» uh through the re strategic planning is
done in a as a meeting of council but
any decisions made are then made public
through a strategic plan that council
has said is your priority areas. Those
are highle outcomes that don't direct
the budget from those highle outcomes.
Then we align the budget to the business
plan. So if you said your biggest goal
was roads you would then assign the
budgets towards roads. But within
strategic planning there's no budgetary
decisions being made. It's it's talking
about what are your values, your goals,
your mission, what things do you want to
work on for the next four years. But it
doesn't assign budget. And that's where
we want to be transparent with our
decision-m when we're looking at the
budget that the public is responsible.
>> We are going to be transparent with
» We are going to be transparent with
that. When we come back out of a meeting
and decide what which way we're going to
go, what things we're going to look at,
we'll bring that forth into a council
meeting and we will discuss it and we
will vote on it. But in the meantime and
in between time prior to going into into
close session every 10 minutes
I mean why can't we do it that way?
Councelor uh
>> Benner
» I think if I'm understanding the read
correctly
what we probably should be thinking
about is the council as a whole meeting
where we can informally discuss where we
want
some of our vision towards the budget.
If you if you're looking for that
private meeting, would would that be an
acceptable?
>> The only thing is the only thing is
» The only thing is the only thing is
there, councelor Penner, is that the
council of the whole the way it's set up
now is you're still live streamed,
>> right?
» right?
>> That's the problem, council Olsson.
» That's the problem, council Olsson.
So I guess yeah I understand what uh
uh CAO uh
is speaking about but can we not have
discussion
um about things? I know if decisions
that has to be in a in a regular council
meeting or a special meeting, but just
discussion.
Um
I guess we need to specify the
definition of discussion versus
decision.
I I don't know if that helps or not or
makes it more confusing.
Councelor Cunningham,
>> I could be wrong on this, but my
» I could be wrong on this, but my
understanding always is if you have
quorum, it's a meeting, right? And it
has to be public and it has to be
advertised. Um, and I think we have to
be careful about that piece. So, um, I
could see us having further discussions
at CA or I mean, like I said, last I
think it was last term, we we did talk
about maybe doing the special meetings
for budget just like other
municipalities do to give that extra
time. And being that this is a new
council, perhaps that's a good it's not
a bad thing to have an extra meeting to
go through. But um like I said, we do
have the ability when we're talking
sensitive to go into those closed
sessions. But if you've got quorum, it's
a meeting and it has to be held as such.
One of the things that I'm not getting
at this place is it seems like we can't
have a meeting anywhere to discuss
anything other than in close session.
And that to me is wrong. If we decide to
have a separate meeting to discuss other
things within this county and bring that
back where we make decisions into a
council meeting, that that's how it
should be. But to sit here and say that
we can't have we can't have a discussion
where we can't sit down as counselors in
a separate meeting and have discussion
about stuff that just doesn't that
doesn't meet my criteria on what we're
supposed to be doing. I mean, yes, I
know we're it's going to be transparent.
We have to bring it back in. But the
other side of the coin, too, is we can't
discuss a lot of this stuff that is
sensitive
in the open.
Everybody is so poisoned around here
about you can't say this, you can't do
that, you can't do this, you can't do
this. This is the frustrating part of
it. And I mean, everybody sees it, not
just us. The rateayers see it. So, I'm
glad we're having this conversation.
Any
other councelor Woodstock?
» So if you have a discussion and come up
with
a solution
that is a public meeting
like that is a council meeting. If you
want to have a discussion in closed
session you have that through a council
meeting. But what you're proposing is
that we have a discussion on the budget,
not in a council meeting, not in a
closed session, but not in the open for
residents to
watch, I guess, is where you're going
with it.
>> That's where I'm going with it. And it's
» That's where I'm going with it. And it's
not that's where I'm going with it. And
because of the
>> discussion, make decisions
» discussion, make decisions
not in a public open forum.
We can discuss whatever we want, right?
And bring it forth into into a public.
>> No. Then you've made a decision.
» No. Then you've made a decision.
>> Okay. So, here's an example. Let's talk
» Okay. So, here's an example. Let's talk
while we're on this.
>> I'm not here to argue with you. What I'm
» I'm not here to argue with you. What I'm
trying to do is according to the MGA,
any discussions that we as a council
have in a council meeting has to be a
public meeting.
So when you set up the cow meeting for
an example, the cow meetings never used
to be uh on TV or on on the
>> they were public meetings.
» they were public meetings.
>> No, they weren't when they originally
» No, they weren't when they originally
set up.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Public is open.
» Public is open.
>> You anybody could attend a
» You anybody could attend a
>> committee of the whole meeting
» committee of the whole meeting
>> sitting here.
» sitting here.
>> Yep.
» Yep.
>> And then eventually it went to camera.
Teresa.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Conversation. Yeah, I I'll I can we're
» Conversation. Yeah, I I'll I can we're
having some conversation here and that's
what this is about. So, uh CEO Cochran,
>> thank you. Through the brief to all of
» thank you. Through the brief to all of
council, just looking up the MGA. The
MISMA government act requires council
meetings to be public. All meetings of
council must be conducted in public
unless discussion falls under limited
exceptions that allow a closed inc
camera session. These exceptions must
align with the privacy protections and
freedom of information act and budget
deliberations do not fall under any FOIP
allowed closed meeting exceptions such
as personnel matters legal privilege or
land negotiation. So the MGA is clear
these meetings have to be held in
public.
» Okay, councelor Olson.
>> Okay. Yeah, I guess if that's the case
» Okay. Yeah, I guess if that's the case
then let's uh let's do it. I mean, uh,
we can go into close session, but it's
going to take it's going to take more
than just a regular council meeting. So,
and if we're into it, then it should be
a special meeting. You know, there
should be two days. A regular council
meeting and then on the budget and then
special meeting the next day or
something just so we can get through all
of it. That's that's my thinking. But,
yeah, if we got to if we got to do it, I
just uh Yeah, I I agree. If there's
sensitive stuff, we're going to be going
in and out of camera all the time or
it's just because if you're talking
about getting rid of hypothetically
hypothetically a whole a whole division
or a whole, you know, I'm just say I'm
just saying, you know, that's that's
going to affect people and they're going
to be online and and and it's going to
it's going to you know, I
yeah, you know what it's going to bring.
So
>> that's what we're here for.
» that's what we're here for.
>> That's that's right. The other side of
» That's that's right. The other side of
the coin is is we're here to have these
conversations and and the frustration
part of it. That's fine if you want to.
We we can do it that way. But prior to
that, I think we should make note and
and let all the rateayers know that this
is why we're going in to close session
because everybody out there right now is
poed on a lot of these close session
meetings. And not that they they don't
understand why we have to do it.
basically. So the less closed sessions
the better I feel. But that being said,
I'm pretty sure we can direct the
everybody that is watching that that's
what we're doing. So
any more discussion?
You want to Merl I'm pardon me for
interrupting your motion.
Do you want to read it again?
» No. I can move that the council direct
administration to bring back the 2026
proposed operating budget discussion to
a special meeting of council
whether it's one day or two.
>> Councelor Cunningham. So, just to um a
» Councelor Cunningham. So, just to um a
question for CEO Cochran. Um can you
just remind me with special meetings we
we give the public a certain amount of
notice? Is it two weeks notice? I just
can't remember off the top of my head.
24 hours. Oh, that's all. Okay. Thank
you,
>> Councelor Hoppins.
» Councelor Hoppins.
>> Uh just a note on that. I'm reading that
» Uh just a note on that. I'm reading that
uh special council meeting called under
subsection 1B must be held within 14
days after the date that the chief
elected official re received their
receives the request
which means
the special meeting will have to happen
within 14 days of this motion of today.
Councelor Benner,
>> the only comment that I would make is
» the only comment that I would make is
that there will be two counselors that
won't be available for those meetings in
the month of February.
How is that going to affect CEO CEO
Cochran? How's that going to affect the
uh if we car if we carried on with four
counselors rather than well five I guess
right
>> through the reef tall of council as long
» through the reef tall of council as long
as you have quorum you're free to move
forward.
>> Okay. Merl or councelor Olsen. Uh
» Okay. Merl or councelor Olsen. Uh
councelor uh Anderson,
is there any
else you'd like to add to that? Or are
we okay with that that motion? Everybody
okay with that motion or do you
councelor Woodstock?
>> I guess I would just like to find out
» I guess I would just like to find out
when counselors are available to have
these and when are we looking to
actually go ahead with this? Are we
looking to wait? Are we looking to get
it done in the next week or so? Like I
know I'm going to be gone. I think
councelor Penner is gone. I think
councelor Olsen is gone. I think you're
leaving 12th of February.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> And I'm I think I'm out the 16th.
» And I'm I think I'm out the 16th.
Council
>> Councelor Penner, you're
» Councelor Penner, you're
>> on the eth.
» on the eth.
So, I don't know what the rest of you
guys' schedules are like, but I'm
thinking if we're doing this, we should
probably leave leave it sometime prior
to the ETH then. I don't know. I'm I'm
not scheduling anybody's time here. I'm
just asking.
>> Well, I mean, that's what it's about. We
» Well, I mean, that's what it's about. We
got to work around it, right? So, um,
>> councelor or councelor CEO
» councelor or councelor CEO
Cochran.
>> Thank you. you through the reef of
» Thank you. you through the reef of
council. We do have a strategic planning
session scheduled for February 2nd. We
can repurpose to budget and do strategic
planning thereafter. Um I think in this
current state we are collecting
information around strategic planning.
Um but it is a meeting that's already
booked that you may want to repurpose.
» Uh my thought is is I don't want to
repurpose that one. Um the reason reason
being is the sooner we get that
direction out the better it is. We can
probably hang on and wait a little
longer for this other meeting with the
budget. Correct. We We got time
>> and we can and we can maybe see where
» and we can and we can maybe see where
everybody's sitting on that.
>> We just Yeah.
» We just Yeah.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Yeah. Through the re as long as you
» Yeah. Through the re as long as you
don't put this motion forward.
Otherwise, we have to do that.
>> That's what I'm saying. Could we table a
» That's what I'm saying. Could we table a
discussion on this or or for till we get
more information?
I resend the motion
due to times and people.
Yeah, I'm available the third.
>> February or the 5th.
» So, when's the strategic meeting? The
second.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Okay. I'm available the third then as
» Okay. I'm available the third then as
well. So,
>> yeah, I'm okay there. The third, fourth,
» yeah, I'm okay there. The third, fourth,
fifth.
>> Third works.
» Third works.
Third works for everybody.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Third.
» Third.
>> Yeah.
» I was just going to say my only thoughts
with booking that date is just due to,
you know, the holidays that people have
coming up, we probably would be looking
into March, which I know gets awfully
close to April, which is when we need to
have this done. So to me, if we can get
it done this first week in February,
it's probably better time when I say
make it work.
>> If if it takes a day or two,
» If if it takes a day or two,
>> third, fourth,
» you get on the third.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Yeah. Uh
» Yeah. Uh
>> well, if we want to schedule two, even
» well, if we want to schedule two, even
if we don't use the second day, then
we're fine.
>> I I think we should try to please. I
» I I think we should try to please. I
think the fourth were tied up with the
carbon
um meetings.
» Well, let's fire off on the third then.
>> Yeah,
» Yeah,
>> that's a folder.
» that's a folder.
>> Yeah,
» Yeah,
>> we'll power through.
» we'll power through.
>> Are we okay with this motion? Everybody
» Are we okay with this motion? Everybody
any cons or everybody understands the
motion now? Hopefully.
» Yes. I follow up and move that the
council direct administration to bring
back the 2026 proposed operating
operating budget discussion to a special
meeting of council to be scheduled on
February 3rd, 2026.
» Any further concerns or discussion on
that motion?
>> All in favor?
» All in favor?
Carried.
Okay, we got a third down.
» Did we confuse you?
» Yeah,
thank you.
Community services.
» There she is. Perfect timing.
table.
We don't need
Yeah, I think I think so. Uh 6.1
planning.
Good morning, Reeve, members of council.
Um I'm bringing back to you as per your
request uh public engagement options for
the land use bylaw review. As you know,
the land use bylaw is the nuts and
bolts. We're in it every day for every
development permit that we issue and we
have just done a very long public
engagement for the municipal development
plan and we in order to align those
documents we do need to look at a few
things in the land use bylaw. So we felt
it was an opportune time to have more of
a robust review. We have provided
several options and we did this based on
the previous engagement and previous
direction to do more robust engagement.
So, we've created some options, but I
believe at the last meeting, you had
talked about doing a more hybrid version
of that. And so, at the bottom of the
document, I've also included just more
of a checklist so we can actually go
through and see exactly what it is that
you think would be helpful to do in
these engagement sessions. So whether
it's strictly just a council working
group, whether we and it would be
several meetings to go through the land
use bylaw is a huge document, whether it
would be um including the municipal
planning commission members at large in
working groups or whether it's actually
creating some additional working groups
more specific to some like particularly
hamlets or agriculture that would
highlight some of those areas in the
land use bylaw. We can certainly do um
whatever it is that you are looking at.
Uh we have open houses that we have
talked about. Uh we do have legally
required to do public hearings for this
uh land use bylaw as well as create
opportunities for all of our urban and
rural neighbors to have an opportunity
to provide comment. So some of that is
uh you will see um checkboxes in that
last one that there you go. Um so what
you see is required. Uh we do have to
consult with affected land owners. We
have to provide opportunity to submit
comments and we do have to have that
public hearing. And then we are, as we
always do whenever we do amendments to
land use or when we're starting to see
trends in the planning department, we
create a whole list of notes of things
that we should look at this the next
time we talk about land use by or we
open the land use bylaw or there's
things that may be require more clarity
or there's changes to legislation. Those
are the things and we we collect a whole
bunch. And so those are part of what
we're talking about when we say proposed
changes that are coming from the admin
perspective. It's still up to council
whether or not you want to go with those
changes, but we just want to highlight
things that we have found as we work
with the document itself. Hamlet zoning
is one of those things that we have
looked at because we have a lot of
hamlet hamlets that are zoned Hamlet
general in particular which include
every use that's available in the
hamlet. So, we were wanting to align uh
the zoning and hamlets to reflect more
what is actually on the property.
And then the council working group is
obviously something that you would have
to do because you're you're the ones
that approved the document yourself. So,
the other pieces whether you want to
include members at large, whether you
want to create some additional working
groups, uh open houses to go through
some of these changes, again that is up
to you. And then we would go back and
just let you know what that budget might
look like. We look at what hall rental
and whether or not we have snacks or
those types of things, coffee provided,
those things.
>> Mhm.
» Mhm.
>> Just a quick question. Does this have to
» Just a quick question. Does this have to
be looked at this year?
>> It does not. There are some things that
» It does not. There are some things that
it's we we are going to have to be
mindful, but we can postpone it a year
as well.
>> One of the question other questions I
» One of the question other questions I
have is if we if we do like just put a
We got a lot on our plate to get done
right away. If we do put it down the
road a bit, can we as council and you go
through it first before we go out and do
anything or
>> Absolutely.
» Absolutely.
>> I think that would be give us more
» I think that would be give us more
information on which direction we should
take andor if we're going to take any.
>> Yep.
» Yep.
>> Right. Um that's that's my thought. We
» Right. Um that's that's my thought. We
we just got so much going on here and I
don't really want to to you know we got
three options there. That's correct. But
I mean until we see what it is or or
what changes that we need that would
dictate how I would vote on what's which
way we should be going
>> and absolutely that's
» and absolutely that's
>> there a concern with that or uh
» there a concern with that or uh
councelor Anderson
>> I agree we just went through last year I
» I agree we just went through last year I
sat through all the planning
commission's meetings
if that doesn't last any longer than
half a year I I don't know what the
success rate Councelor
Olsson.
>> Yeah. No, I I agree to a certain extent,
» Yeah. No, I I agree to a certain extent,
but I also I can see a trend happening
with us as we keep wanting more time and
pushing things further along. And at
some point, we're just going to get
jammed up here, too. So, we're going to
have to pick and choose. Yes. But, uh,
we are going to have to make uh
decisions as we go here. Um but but I
agree uh you know with most of what's
being said here.
» So and just just to be very clear like
the process that we did last term was
the municipal development plan, right?
So um this this one that we're currently
looking at would be the the land use
bylaw. So I mean two separate entities
but two that really work together. Um
last term we did um pick out like the
renewable piece because we were seeing
so many changes in that industry. So we
do have the ability to to take out
pieces and not do the whole thing. But I
think it was kind of the conversation
last term was after the MDP was done
then we really would like a full
comprehensive review of the land use. So
I'm 100% in agreement with um maybe
holding off for a little bit. We are
doing like we just said strat planning
the beginning of February. I wouldn't
want to put it off too long because I
think we're seeing some changes in
different industries and and um I think
we want to address some of those but um
like you said we do have a lot going on
but like whether we revisit it closer to
the summer or I mean I hate to put it
off to the fall fall such a busy time
but but yeah I there is a lot going on
right now especially with strap planning
but but for me personally I wouldn't
want to park this for too long. Uh that
was I would that my intent wasn't to
push it down the road for years, you
know. Uh councelor Woodstock,
>> I guess it excuse me. I guess it depends
» I guess it excuse me. I guess it depends
on which scenario we use because it
could last a year to get through the or
it could be up to two years. So if we
push it too far down the road, I don't
know. Are we going to be outside of
legislation if we leave it too long
>> through the chair? I the only thing I
» through the chair? I the only thing I
think is depending on the options that
you choose and how much public
engagement we do, it takes a huge amount
of time from our department. It was all
hands- on deck for two years and
everybody had jobs and had to do it and
it was a huge amount of information that
we were providing in those working
groups. So again, having a little bit of
an idea of where you want to land as far
as that would be helpful. Pushing it off
is fine. That just gives us more time to
prepare like I said the information
packages and more specific to whatever
that working group might look like. Um
and then if we have to book halls or do
those types of things, we do need that
information
in advance. So if we meet with you and
you guys decide you want to start the
robust engagement process,
our expectation is that it doesn't start
the next month. um scheduling bodies was
a huge problem um because we had so many
cooks and players that we were trying to
align and so that that is what created
such a long time frame in some regard
but um to do it well we do need to be
prepared and that's one thing that I
guess we would just want to have some
idea and and some time to pull that
together as a planning department. So,
um, if we push it off, I'm fine with
that for now. Um, but I guess give me an
indication of what you're thinking to
come back. We can come back in the fall
or if you're thinking next year, just
>> I I'm not sure that we're thinking that
» I I'm not sure that we're thinking that
far down the road.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Like, it doesn't have to go that far.
» Like, it doesn't have to go that far.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Yeah, you could give give us a couple or
» Yeah, you could give give us a couple or
a month or so, whatever.
thoughts,
>> council Cunningham.
» council Cunningham.
>> Yeah, just having been through the MDP
» Yeah, just having been through the MDP
and being a part of it, I mean, it was a
great experience. Like the working
groups were awesome. You know, we had
them split into different, you know,
agriculture, economic development, and
they were wonderful meetings and a great
opportunity to engage with our rate
pairs, but Miss Hazelton is bang on. Um,
I can't make this day because I have
this and it it it was a scheduling
nightmare really. I personally would
love to see um like the open houses. um
we don't have to have meals. I think
we're all kind of really looking at our
fiscal management here. So, I don't
think we maybe have to do it quite as
robust. It was a great experience, but
maybe this time we we do open house,
coffee, muffins, whatever. Um we want
that feedback from the public, have the
different avenues that they can bring
their comments to us, but I mean to me,
I guess maybe I'm leaning a little bit
towards can't remember option maybe is
it C um maybe not have those um working
groups with the public. Again, not
because I don't want to hear from them,
just because like you said, it did it
did add another element to it. But
that's kind of where I'm going with
that. But yeah, maybe looking in a
couple months down the road after we've
got our strap planning done.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> And I think we can give you the, you
» And I think we can give you the, you
know, you kind of got a general
consensus here. As far as I'm concerned,
we're not feeding people
>> the uh Yeah.
» the uh Yeah.
>> cookies. Can they cookies?
» cookies. Can they cookies?
>> No. And uh yeah, you want to get fed,
» No. And uh yeah, you want to get fed,
come out to my place later. We'll we'll
cook we'll cook something there.
But yeah, not not you guys.
>> Let's let's let's uh give Do you want to
» Let's let's let's uh give Do you want to
date
>> question,
» question,
>> Council Olsson?
» Council Olsson?
>> Yeah, I would I would like to see it
» Yeah, I would I would like to see it
sooner than later, too. And and and
depending on how long it takes for your
group, but if we could utilize the
summer for some of these, you know,
events. Um
Yeah. No, it's uh Yeah. Yeah, and I'm
looking forward to that steak steak
dinner at Looney.
» Okay. So, basic Oh, sorry.
>> I'm just going to clarify then. So, if
» I'm just going to clarify then. So, if
we go ahead and plan maybe the initial
working group with council in July, aim
for around
>> Do you think that's too late?
» Do you think that's too late?
>> I I think because of the the how long
» I I think because of the the how long
these projects take, a month or two on
the front end. It's not going to matter.
>> It's not going to matter.
» It's not going to matter.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> You're not going to have it done by the
» You're not going to have it done by the
end of the year.
>> No. But what my question is we didn't
» No. But what my question is we didn't
want I was thinking a couple months but
I mean if if you guys are good with July
that works for us or sooner.
>> I will I'll aim for that and we'll we'll
» I will I'll aim for that and we'll we'll
do a working group separate out of
council that we just go through this is
what we're looking at. These are some of
the changes that we see would be helpful
and lay it out that way. So we'll aim
for that July and um yeah that's great.
>> I'm okay I'm okay with that if council's
» I'm okay I'm okay with that if council's
okay with that. Do we need a motion?
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
Council Con.
>> So I will move that council direct
» So I will move that council direct
administration to plan a working group
with council in July 2026.
» Any concerns or discussion on the
motion?
>> All in favor?
» Perfect.
>> Thanks Barb.
7.1. Uh,
are we on 7.1? Yeah. County vehicle use.
» Yeah. Go ahead.
>> Thank you, Reven Council. At the
» Thank you, Reven Council. At the
December 9th meeting, council tabled the
proposed vehicle use policy and asked
administration to return with further
operational analysis and research
research specifically related to the
take-home vehicles and on call
operations.
Today's response
reports today's report responds directly
to that request and we're going to talk
about um council oversight on vehicles
operational analysis on how service
times and delivery is affected if
vehicles must be returned to the shop.
So based what changed in the policy we
did make some changes since the last
time based on the feedback from council
administration made two significant
governance changes to the policy. First,
all take-home vehicle arrangements now
require council approval rather than
administrative approval. Second, the
policy now clearly states home to work
travel is not permitted unless it's
directly tied to operational on call
response requirements.
This means that council retains the full
authority over who's permitted to take
home vehicles and that the privilege
must be justified by service needs, not
convenience.
So before we get into the analysis, it's
important to understand who currently
has take-home vehicles and why take-home
vehicles are limited to specific
operational roles where immediate
deployment, feed based, field-based
supervision, or on call response is
required. For our utilities operation,
our utilities infrastructure is spread
across the county. Operators are
assigned to service areas near near
their homes to reduce travel times,
improve response, and overall and
control overtime. And we've included
some appendices that show the breakdown
of where the employees are driving to
where they're working. Our operators do
not start the day at the shop. They
typically begin and end their shifts at
the pump houses, lift stations, or field
locations.
Currently, take-home vehicles are
assigned to utility operators, the
utility supervisor, and the utility
services manager. These vehicles are
equipped with with tools, testing
equipment, spare parts, PPE, and
compliance materials. For practical
purposes, they function as mobile work
units and is common to what is in other
administration or other uh county
operations.
Our transportation operators, they're
are highly weather dependent and
timesensitive. Our supervisors start
right when they leave and get onto
county roads to inspect the roads. They
start hours before the operators start
so that they have the ability to send
their operators to the right locations.
Um, they I went down too fast on my
speaking notes. The supervisors need to
assess the road conditions and they
deploy the graders and the plow crews
based on that and they have very good
log books to define that. They adjust
their routes and they change conditions
and they coordinate emergency response.
Currently, take-home vehicles are
assigned to the transportation
superintendent and three transportation
supervisors. As I indicated, this allows
the supervisors to begin making
decisions as soon as they hit the county
roads as opposed to getting in and then
deploying after that. our operational
analysis for utility response times.
When we analyzed the data, thanks to our
great maps, the direct travel from the
operator's residence to the site versus
traveling to the shop first, our maps
indicate that we would be losing appro
approximately 15 to 40 minutes per call
per employee dependent on the location.
So in utilities operations that
additional time matters because it
affects the chlorine system failures,
pressure loss events, communication
outages and environmental compliance. I
commonly get texts or teams from
operators after hours. We are
continually we have problems in water
systems and they need to be able to
deploy immediately.
So, of course, our delayed response time
can increase repair scope and increase
our regulatory risk and extend service
interruptions for our residents.
Take a breath. Workday efficiencies and
overtime impacts. Our utility operators
routinely, like I indicated, start and
end their shifts in the field. They are
only in the office on Monday mornings
when they do their water tests and they
submit to the Alberta environment. Other
than that, they are in the field 100% of
the time. They carry all required tools
and testing equipment in their trucks
and they respond to service calls near
their residents late in the day.
Requiring mandatory return to the shop
would reduce productive field hours,
increase paid travel time at the end of
shifts, and increase overtime exposure
when service calls occur late in the
day.
Through our analysis, we we estimate
that productiv productivity could
decrease by approximately one hour per
operator per day depending on the
service, which over time results in a
lot of lost time. So, addressing
accountability and public perception.
Well, we recognize that council's
concerns are not only operational, but
they're about public trust, safety, and
accountability. The updated policy
addresses these concerns
by explicitly pro prohibiting speeding
and unsafe driving, formally authorizing
GPS and tele telematics monitoring,
allowing GPS data to support coaching
investigations and discipline where
necessary, and requiring inspections and
maintenance compliance, and clearly
prohibiting the personal use of county
vehicles. This strengthens oversight
while protecting operational
effectiveness.
administration did a best practice
review and we contacted eight rural and
regional municipalities to review their
fleet practices.
Of those that responded, half allow
take-home vehicles for utility operators
and transportation supervisors when
justified by emergency response needs
and field-based service delivery.
Common controls include no personal use,
GPS monitoring, documented operational
justification, and revoke revoking
privileges if misuse occurs. And this
aligns closely with what is being
proposed for Nhill County.
So based on our analysis, administration
recommends recommendations are role
specific. For the utility department, we
recommend continuing take-home vehicles
for the utility operators and the one
utility supervisor because they directly
support emergency response capability,
regulatory compliance, and efficient
field-based service delivery. However,
administration is recommending that the
take-home privileges for the manager of
utility services be discontinued as
there's not sufficient operational
justification to support continued
take-home use for that role.
for the transportation department.
Administration recommends continued
take-home vehicles for the
transportation supervisors and the
transportation superintendent because
immediate road assessment and crew
deploy deployment decisions are critical
during weather and emergency events.
If a council approves the policy and
recommends assignments, administration
will provide formal written notice to
the effective employees, ensure
reasonable transition timelines were
required, and update procedures
accordingly.
This approach aligns with the legal
advice that we were given regarding
notice when working conditions are
changed.
Council has three options for today.
Option one, accept the analysis and
policy update for information. Option
two, take the policy table the policy
again pending further information as
directed by council. Option three,
approve the re revised policy and
recommended take-home vehicle
assignments as presented.
» Can you breathe? Can you breathe now?
>> I can.
» I can.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> All right.
» All right.
A lot of information here.
I can write a book on why I should take
a company struck home.
Some of this is that I don't believe a
lot of this. Number one, when we sit
here and we go out and we talk to 50 or
we talk to the surrounding MDs and
counties on what they do, I have a real
problem because we got all the people
that are working around in our counties
now are recycled from the CEOs down to
the superintendent. And it's even
happened here. We got people that are
taking vehicles home because they took
vehicles home here. So naturally they're
going to say that I don't believe
anything like that these guys are saying
this is Neihill County. This is about
taxpayers dollars.
There is some justification on a few
things. Transportation supervisors not a
chance. I don't believe that one bit.
We've never had vehicles going home with
these guys. They are not in a position
to go out and uh get on the road right
away. And it that just doesn't that
doesn't happen. I know it doesn't
happen.
The other the other thing is, if I
remember right, and correct me if I'm
wrong, we asked how many times that
there was emer they were called out for
emergency services. That's what this
discussion started. These guys that were
taking the vehicles home, how many times
was there, how many times have they been
called out for emergency services? And
I'm not talking about just going down to
a pump house and shutting an alarm off
because we got a bad system. I don't see
that here. Um, I I'm not in favor one
bit of of uh trucks going home. Uh,
we're even on call. I mean, I don't
think we have everybody on call at once.
Like, it it it just doesn't to me, this
is
this isn't even even in the ballpark
where where I think we should be at
providing a service to our rateayers.
That being said, that started the
conversation. Uh, anyone else comments?
Councelor Olsson.
>> Yeah, I guess I have one question. Do we
» Yeah, I guess I have one question. Do we
have GPS and telematics in the vehicles
uh right now?
>> Through the Reef Hall of Council, we
» Through the Reef Hall of Council, we
have them in most of our vehicles, but
not all of them. And uh however, without
policy, we can't use them for purposes
of discipline.
But we do have GPS stat on most of our
vehicles. And I can assure you that our
vehicle operators do start as soon as
they hit the county roads and they are
inspecting and providing advice to their
staff thereafter.
>> And what and what cost do we have on
» And what and what cost do we have on
that on that those systems
>> through the like for the GPS systems
» through the like for the GPS systems
>> through the reef to all of council. I'll
» through the reef to all of council. I'll
have to find out the exact number. I'm
not certain. But it is a a tool that we
would enjoy having because it gives us
good data to provide back to council on
when and where and why we are where we
are.
>> But I can find out the exact number on
» But I can find out the exact number on
the GPS. It'll probably come to my teams
in about 3 seconds. So,
>> well, I just know these systems are
» well, I just know these systems are
expensive. And
I mean, do we really need to know,
you know, exactly where everybody's at?
I mean, I guess as far as a safety
concern is, I can see part of that, but
uh yeah, I guess it's something to
discuss later.
>> Well, through the reef tall council,
» Well, through the reef tall council,
sorry, I didn't mean to just jump in
there, but I did receive the, you know,
as I said, the just magic uh 25 per
month per vehicle, and it is a useful
tool because it does allow us to to plan
accordingly to where the graders are and
where they've been and how how many
miles they've driven. And it it does
support our asset management, but it is
certainly something we can take out, but
it's 25 per month per vehicle.
So just for curiosity, uh you have a
team of people uh listening to this or
sitting on the computer listening to
council meetings
>> through the reef to all of council. I
» through the reef to all of council. I
suspect that most employees are
listening to council. They have YouTube
and they're all sitting and listening
because they're prepared. Certain staff
will be prepared to answer questions
like asset management is listening um
where he indicated that the GPS is also
tied to our fuel system. So it's very
helpful for us sitting here because we
don't know all the answers but we try to
provide them in real time.
Uh, okay. Uh, one of the one of the
other concerns that I have, and it's
brought up by taxpayers, when we have
people that don't even live in this
county and they're driving county trucks
home, uh, they're not in favor of that.
Uh, councelor Olsson or Councelor
Anderson, did you have a comment there?
» Councelor Cunningham. So, thank you for
this report and the utilities piece was
very helpful for me and I like I know
some of it I don't want to overstep the
privacy boundaries, but this made sense
to me, but I'm just wondering with our
transportation supervisors, it doesn't
it doesn't give us the same data, right?
Like where they're coming from. Um,
and then just further to that, like with
the transportation supervisors, are they
going out in the evenings or weekends or
is it strictly they're working the the
regular county hours
>> through the Reef to all of council? So,
» through the Reef to all of council? So,
it would depend on if there was a
weather event. If there was a weather
event, the supervisors would be out on
the road inspecting roads so they would
know where to deploy their on call
staff. So, that is their responsibility.
Um, they would be they would know just
jump in their truck if it's snowing.
They'd be touring roads. And for our
transportation supervisor, sorry we
didn't have our map uh our wonderful map
person do that, but they both start at
their area. So, one of them lives on the
northeast side and they start that's
their division. So, they start
inspecting roads. So, we're very smart
about assigning people to the areas that
they start in where they're coming
because we have 1,800 km of roads. We
have a lot to inspect to make sure that
everything is safe.
1,800 kilometers of road has been here
for 35 years or 40 years. It and there
was never any trucks going home back
then. There there was more stuff going
on back then with equipment and stuff.
Uh like to me this is unacceptable to
have the su uh transportation out taking
vehicles home because of this. You are
paid to come to work.
I mean if we're going to sit here and
say the superintendents are going to get
out there right away and phone up the
the operators and get them out there.
Well, I can call that uh not really
true. But to me, this doesn't need to be
done. They can come into the shop, get
their trucks, and get back out there.
This is taxpayers dollars. Is there's
nothing real major happening. There
never has been on the on the roads.
Councelor Woodstock.
» Okay. I would like to speak to the
utility side. I think because as CEO
Cochran has stated, the utilities very
seldom even comes into the shop other
than Mondays to test their water
samples. The rest of the rest of the
week they actually deploy from home with
a truck that already has all the
equipment that they need. uh depending
where they deploy from they could be
wasting basically well if you have an
operator coming from Lynden to Three
Hills picking up a vehicle and then
heading back to Lyndon Acme Bicer Canana
you're losing basically an hour
according to the report I think would
make more sense to deploy from home
headed in that direction I don't know
where all the operators live where they
deploy from but I think anytime that you
save some time
and provide extra coverage
rather than losing an hour deploying and
traveling and then coming back to where
you started from. I think that would be
important. I believe I do see the value
in the utility operators actually dep
using a vehicle to deploy and go
straight to work rather than traveling
for whatever amount of time it is to
pick up their vehicle and then go back
to where they were and start deploying
or start working from there. But that is
my thoughts on it. I find it um I find
it justifiable. Councelor Olsson.
>> Yeah, I I
» Yeah, I I
kind of agree uh to some extent with the
utilities uh operators. Um but I'm also
uh
you know there's usually what one or two
guys on at a time or one guy on call at
a time or No,
>> they they all start work at the same
» they they all start work at the same
time.
>> Okay. Um Unless there's an emergency,
» Okay. Um Unless there's an emergency,
then there will be one.
>> Yeah. No, you answer that. Sorry.
» Yeah. No, you answer that. Sorry.
>> No, I but I agree with the water guys
» No, I but I agree with the water guys
because that's a that's something but I
mean as I kind of tend to lean with
Lonnie on on some of the
um infrastructure and transportation.
Um, yeah, those guys, nobody's going out
in the dark usually to, you know, they
can they can make it to work and and
then go even if even in a storm event.
>> Council Hopkins,
» Council Hopkins,
I'm on the fence with this policy. Um,
part of me
wants to keep the utilities side and
remove the transportation
vehicles. Um,
it's unfortunate that we had some bad
eggs that kind of put a sour taste in a
lot of rateayers eyes and and mouths and
we need to make sure that our vehicles
are being treated and driven.
um and following the rules of the road.
Uh,
I'd like
to maybe
put it in your in the rest of council's
thoughts that if we could do a trial
period where we maybe allow the
utilities to follow through but pull
back on the transportation,
try it for
six months, maybe eight month, even a
year.
uh and then go from there. That's kind
of my recommendation at this point.
>> Thank you. Uh councelor Hopkins. Um uh
» Thank you. Uh councelor Hopkins. Um uh
Councelor Anderson,
>> I tend to agree with that. Although if
» I tend to agree with that. Although if
we have GPS,
I've been living in a world where we
have logs, travel logs. If we're finding
these people are maybe we should
institute a travel log. I mean, does it
take that much for them? I've done it,
you know. Yeah. If if if we can
substantiate what they're doing, if it's
in that trial period, if it's not
showing any big problems, then maybe we
can look at it a different way. If we're
seeing problems, then maybe we do have
justification to do all these things. I
do agree that uh the uh some of the
utilities are very important, especially
when you get to human water treatment
stuff like that. it has to be looked
after. And uh I think then we have to
look again at our hiring practices. If
we're hiring people out of the community
to do these jobs, should we not change
our practice to hire people that are
willing to live within our boundaries
instead of providing them with
transportation to other places?
>> Councelor uh Anderson get some good
» Councelor uh Anderson get some good
comments and I mean that the problem is
is we do have a lot of people from
outside. I mean, this is this is the
policy that we're talking about. We
never had one before. It's brought back
into into council's hands where we can
control it. Um, I'm I'm I'm all I'm not
all quite there on utilities. I'm there
part way. I understand that part.
Transportation definitely not. Um, I can
and I think if you guys want to do a
trial period, that's fine. It's still in
our hands. Mhm.
>> Um,
» Um,
but I mean this place has never changed
and I I'm not buying a lot of this stuff
and it's pretty easy for somebody I can
sit there and write the four pages of
why I should be taking a truck home. You
know, that's just how it is. So, um,
I
guess my question was and it was still
from before and I don't know if we can
handle it or if we even looked into it.
Is there a pile of emergency
call out?
That was the question from last time.
That's what we were going to decide on
the utilities.
If that utilities operators, if there's
not a pile of them, that's fine. Okay,
we can we can work it that way. But if
those utility operators are on call,
each one of them are on call for their
own area. I have a problem with that,
>> right?
» right?
>> They there's only you only need one to
» They there's only you only need one to
be on call. You don't need five of them.
>> And that's I guess the clarity that I'm
» And that's I guess the clarity that I'm
looking for.
» Councelor Woodstock.
» I'm not sure how many utility operators
are on call, but what I'm looking at is
the response time to leave from home,
come up to the off or come up to the
shop, grab a vehicle, and then basically
go return to where they started from to
start their day. Uh, according to the
report, that could waste up to an hour a
day. Um, the guys, I'm thinking
specifically of the guys on the south
because I know that when they leave
home, they probably check the reservoirs
both in Lynen, Acme, Urana, Inhana,
Bicer, I mean, and they start their day
whatever time. If it's 7 o'clock, then
it's 7 o'clock. They don't drive to
Three Hills, get into another vehicle at
7:30, then drive back to Lynon at 8:00
and start their day at 8. I see the
rationale
that if we start the day from the time
they get into their vehicles and start
working, I see that as not being a waste
of time. I do not see that as being a
waste of
county equipment. I see that as being
getting more done at the end of the day
because our systems travel all the way
from Drumheller to Irana and then we
also have the majority of our pump
houses in the southern end of the
county.
So that being stated, that's where they
reside, I'm assuming. And that would
make it far more economical and far more
uh make it'll make far more sense to
start from home than it would be to come
up to Three Hills and then start all
over again. My thoughts anyway.
>> Uh councelor Olsson.
» Uh councelor Olsson.
>> Yeah, I mean
» Yeah, I mean
I agree with that, but it can work both
ways too. We could have somebody, you
know, uh, utility operator that's in
division, lives in division, uh, six and
has to go,
uh, all the way to Drumheller or
whatever, I guess. Yeah, we have to
build
some discretion into it. Yeah, cuz if if
they're going to the pump house down in
by Knackmine or whatever and they live
close. Yeah, it's it's yeah, it's it
it does make sense not to drive all the
way to the county office and all the way
back cuz uh regardless it's it's
using our vehicle two ways regardless.
But yeah, I mean it's it's going to be
tough because we don't know,
you know, we're making special allowance
for certain people and yeah, it's it's
it's going to be a nightmare, I think.
>> Cocker,
» Cocker,
>> thank you. Through the reef to all of
» thank you. Through the reef to all of
council. So great discussion. Thank you
for that. The policy as it's written
gives council full control. So if you
pass approve the policy as written, no
vehicles go home with anybody. That
would be a motion by council to say
these vehicles go home. So the policy is
written that way. Uh we've had 54 call
outs in the past 12 months and those
would be the ones where they had to
leave from their homes. So that's quite
a few number. We have one person on
call, not more than that. But we have
three utility operators and one
supervisor that like I said their their
trucks do perform as their offices. They
don't come to the office. They rarely
come to the office. If they start at the
office, they got to come in, warm up
their truck. We're we're we're looking
at 30 minutes of loss time in the
morning and 30 minutes of loss time in
the afternoon. Our operators are very
efficient and effective at their roles.
And this isn't about favoritism. This is
about good business operations. Whereas
in when I worked in another
municipality, my building inspectors all
had offices in their trucks. They took
their trucks home. They never went into
the office. We mailed them out, emailed
them out their stuff, and they went and
did it. They didn't waste time driving
back to a central location that isn't
necessarily near where they're working.
This isn't about favoritism or about
special privileges, but these employees
do have these as taxable benefits within
their payroll. So, these are taxable
benefits we have been providing to
employees. Should we take them away, we
do need to provide proper notice because
it could be looked at negatively.
They're being to have something taken
away from them. So, we do want to make
sure that when we're looking at the
analysis, we're reminding that the
analysis that we did is based on the
need for our operators to be out in the
field.
Councelor Penner.
>> So everything that we've heard now, the
» So everything that we've heard now, the
information that we get is that
it's economically efficient to the
county for vehicles to be going home
with certain operators.
We know that it's time efficient.
If our rateayers are having an issue
with that, then that's our job as a
council to do a better job of informing
our rateayers
about the efficiencies that are being
generated.
We've got intelligent rateayers. They'll
understand if we explain if we explain
the details to them correctly.
And what I see
to me it seems to be a relatively
straight cut
decision.
The efficiencies are there if our
utility operators have the vehicles in
their own in in their own
costwise,
timewise,
response time for our rate payers so
that their critical infrastructure
works.
Councelor Wto,
» I would agree with councelor Penner. Um,
there was a statement made that only 50%
of the pled municipalities got back to
us. I would challenge that
municipalities around us have a thousand
kilometers of water line in the ground
and it such an integral system is what
we have at Nihill County here. That's
not to say that
it's important that everyone has the
vehicle to start work from home. But
that being said, there is a lot of water
line which was never here up until about
15 years ago. That's when the water line
started to come in. or no, it's actually
more than that because that's when the
last water line was built. So, I'm
thinking probably closer to 20 years.
Um, we've we've got a real hub of water
systems in the county. Um, I think it
would be very inefficient to force the
operators to Well, I'm not going to go
there again because I've already stated
that, but we do have a situation in
Nehill County that a lot of
municipalities around us do not have.
» Council cutting.
>> So, um, just to go back to that, uh,
» So, um, just to go back to that, uh,
that information you received, Miss
Cochran, the 54 call out. So, was that
strictly utilities or did that include
transportation call outs?
>> Thank you for that. That was just
» Thank you for that. That was just
utility call outs and it was tracked
from the beginning of December. So,
there's probably a couple more to add on
to there, but yes, it's just for utility
call outs.
>> Okay. No, and that that's really helpful
» Okay. No, and that that's really helpful
information. Um, I personally um I can
look at the utilities and it it makes
good business sense to me. Um, like you
said, if if it's all three of them and
they're all on call, yeah, that would
make sense. But when you when you
explain that kind of their vehicles,
they're using them as their office per
se. Um, and when you look at the time
that it's going to take for them to come
here, that totally makes sense to me.
The transportation one, I guess I'm
struggling a little bit. Um, I know we
have folks that are on call, greater
operators, snowplow, truck drivers,
they're not taking the grater and
parking it in front of their house
wherever they live. They have to come to
the county obviously to get that. So,
um, that's the one I'm struggling with a
little bit. At the end of the day, we
all decide where we live and we all
decide where we work. So, I used to work
for the government in Ols. Um, I had to
drive from my house west of Three Hills
to Ols. That was just what I had to do.
Um, I didn't get provided a vehicle. Um,
was on my own time and that was just the
choice that I had to make. So, I think
um I want to see us have this policy and
I do appreciate this policy coming back.
I really, really do. Um, I was asked for
accountability with vehicle use multiple
times over the last four years. So, I
really appreciate this. Um, it makes
total sense to me to include the
utilities. I think I just I I need a
little bit more information on the
transportation side.
>> Uh, Council Olsson.
» Uh, Council Olsson.
>> Yeah, I love the discussion. Love all
» Yeah, I love the discussion. Love all
everybody participating in it. And, uh,
it's it's helped me, yeah, to
look at this the same way as as
Councelor Cunningham. And I'm I'm
leaning towards just the the utility
operators and and not the transportation
uh or infrastructure people at this
moment as well.
>> Council uh excuse me, Councelor Hopkins.
» Council uh excuse me, Councelor Hopkins.
Uh, the other question I have is
I've kind of read the bylaw or the
policy um a couple times and I'm
struggling to see
if there's an allowance in there for
um if an employee has to say travel to
Edmonton for a course, do they take a
personal vehicle? Do they take a company
vehicle? what's what's kind of what's
been done in the past and what's
I don't see a definite
answer in here that doesn't jump out at
me.
>> Yes. So, that would be um outside of the
» Yes. So, that would be um outside of the
policy because it's not personal
take-home use. So, when we're going to
conferences, employees drive to the
building, they pick up a vehicle, they
leave their vehicle here, and they drive
to the conference. We try where possible
to take county vehicles to conferences
to avoid mileage on personal vehicles.
in addition to the fact that employees
need special insurance in order to be
able to drive their vehicle for work.
So, it's on occasion the CIO would
approve you can take it home and go from
there. So, for instance, if you if you
if you're going somewhere where it
doesn't make sense to drive here first,
an hour and a half and then drive out,
then that would be an exception, but
those aren't the rule. So, typically
people will drive here. That's why
you'll see vehicles parked overnight.
It's because people have taken a vehicle
and gone to a conference,
>> right? Okay. And another part of that
» right? Okay. And another part of that
is, for example, if one of our peace
officers was um traveling
north, do they get to start with that
vehicle
since they already live a you know,
maybe an hour and a half north?
What? There's no benefit for them to
come here and then go. So that would be
considered a special exception.
>> Yeah. Through the reef to olive council.
» Yeah. Through the reef to olive council.
So, for instance, I made a special
exception for peace officers who take
their truck their vehicles home after
work because they worked an event until
10 p.m. It didn't make sense for them to
drive back to the office, drop off the
vehicle, pick up theirs. Next day, they
drop brought the vehicles back in. Peace
officers do not start from their home.
They come to the office, they pick up
their vehicle. Yeah. It's only for
special exceptions. Say they're going to
be late and why would I want them to get
home at 1 in the morning, you know? So,
it's about a com being flexible, give
and take, both with the employee and
with the employer.
>> Perfect. Thank you. Any
» Perfect. Thank you. Any
other questions?
>> Well, we've discussed it.
» Any more discussion? Any motion?
Councelor Hoppins.
Uh,
so I guess
I would approve the motion.
Uh,
» so you can see
>> Yeah. to rem basically the utilities
» Yeah. to rem basically the utilities
operators and foremen
to take vehicles home but not and I know
I can't make a negative motion but um if
you remove the transportation in the
» option
>> yeah recommend option three please
» yeah recommend option three please
Excuse
me. Was that the one you were you also
recommended a utilities uh one be taken
away or removed?
>> Yeah. Through the reef to all of
» Yeah. Through the reef to all of
council. the utility services manager
that the truck will be removed and it is
being written here in motion number
three.
>> So you can see in motion number two
» So you can see in motion number two
that's the positions that will continue
to allow to take vehicles home. Motion
three is the one where we remove
» is that okay with with that being said
that's at the discretion of council
>> through the reef to all of council. Yes.
» through the reef to all of council. Yes.
So at any time council can come back and
remove vehicles. That is your policy and
you are in this motion approving
vehicles if you approve it for operators
and the foreman of utilities. Should at
any time council wish to revisit that a
new motion is all you need to do and
then whenever council meeting which
would remove those vehicles with the
policy as written, council retains the
authority for all personal take-home
vehicle use. Through that motion, you're
allowing two positions.
No, no, no, no. Like, you got to
remember, we're just happy to see a
policy even though it's long- winded,
but
>> I mean,
» I mean,
this is a start. At least at least this
is a start. We know what the trouble
we've been having. So, everybody okay
with that or everybody understand the
the motions? Are we uh council cutting?
>> Sorry, I should ask this earlier. I I'm
» Sorry, I should ask this earlier. I I'm
I'm clear on the transportation
supervisors, but could you just expand a
little bit on the infrastructure
superintendent and what um what the
guidelines were for that position in the
vehicle or maybe the necessity out of
that?
>> Yes. Through the reef to all of council.
» Yes. Through the reef to all of council.
So the infrastructure superintendent
will start their job right when they get
on the roads just like everybody else.
So an option for us could be to park
trucks at different uh transfer sites so
that they can come to work closer and
get right on the road. So, that may be
something we look at as opposed to
operational take-home use, but the
infrastructure superintendent is on the
road. They're inspecting roads. They're
looking at the roads their supervisors
have demonstr identified for work. So
they're doing their tours or checking on
projects, but at the end of the day, if
that's not a position that um it
wouldn't be one that we'll die on, if
you will, um as as a as an
administration, so we we can have other
options such like I said as parking
vehicles at other sites so we can get to
them quicker. Um nobody likes to waste
time, right? We want to get to work
right away. So the sooner we can get on
the road to inspect the roads, the
better our roads are going to be. Um one
other comment was made about log books.
All of our operators and supervisors do
keep log books. So, our supervisors keep
log books on what they inspect and what
they assign their operators to and
that's our checks and balances for
council.
» Yeah, if you could.
>> Okay. Uh, I approve that uh count the
» Okay. Uh, I approve that uh count the
council approve the revised county
vehicle use policy, including council
approval requirements for all take-home
vehicle arrangements. And number two,
approve continued take-home vehicle use
for the following operational positions.
Utilities operators, utility foremen.
Number three, direct that take-home
vehicle privileges for utilities,
services, manager, transportation,
supervisors, infrastructure,
superintendent position be discontinued.
» Any more discussion on that? I got one
more question. Uh, councelor Woodstock,
>> I don't know if we were actually looking
» I don't know if we were actually looking
at the infrastructure being
discontinued, just relocated. Is that
the direction that we were headed?
>> Leaving from a transfer site.
» Leaving from a transfer site.
>> Uh, for myself at this point, I would
» Uh, for myself at this point, I would
suggest discontinued. Um,
>> okay.
» okay.
>> Review.
» Review.
>> Your motion. That's I just verifying
» Your motion. That's I just verifying
the
>> Yep. through the through the Reef Hall
» Yep. through the through the Reef Hall
of Council. Um, that's our internal
operations. So, if we decided to park
trucks at a different site, that's our
that's internal operations. That's not
take-home use. That's just proper
operations, proper planning. Yeah.
>> Yeah.
» Uh, councelor Olsson.
Um,
do we leave ourselves the option for
some kind of an emergency for
infrastructure or somebody to use
something on a oneoff or is this is this
>> what's that?
» what's that?
>> I would assume sorry to interrupt assume
» I would assume sorry to interrupt assume
that would be at your discretion.
>> I just want to leave that still an
» I just want to leave that still an
option. Yes, I that is still an option
within the policy and that's just
discretional use based on operations,
but it's not a permanent use. It's not a
taxable benefit at that point.
» Any other discussion?
>> Councelor Penner,
» Councelor Penner,
>> initially councelor Hoppins talked about
» initially councelor Hoppins talked about
a trial period before we got to the
point of the motion. Is is that still
part of what you wanted to see in this?
I think
>> if it's I think what we can do is uh a
» if it's I think what we can do is uh a
year from now put it back on our agenda
for a review process. I don't think it
needs to be in the motion
>> as as Yeah, good good call. But as as
» as as Yeah, good good call. But as as
CEO Cochran stated, this is our policy.
We can bring it back at any time that we
feel. Yeah, for sure.
Any more discussion on the motion?
Everybody understand the motion?
All in favor?
carried you nicely.
Okay, lunch at 11:49.
Be back in about an hour and a half,
three hours.
Good afternoon. Welcome. Um
we'll go on to uh the agenda 3.1
delegation friends of Horseshoe Canyon.
Uh before we get going uh we'll have a
little introduction.
Uh we'll start over here with Council
Woodstock.
Well, welcome gentlemen, lady. Uh, my
name is Jerry Witstock. I am counselor
for division three, which happens to be
the Acme Lynon area. Welcome.
>> Merl Anderson. I happen to be in the
» Merl Anderson. I happen to be in the
division one area.
>> Good afternoon. Lori Michelle
» Good afternoon. Lori Michelle
Cunningham, Division 5. And thank you so
much for taking the time to come. Love
it when we hear from our people. Thanks
for coming.
>> Uh, Lonnie Makut, division 7.
» Uh, Lonnie Makut, division 7.
Richard Hoppins, division six up in the
northwest corner.
>> Uh L Olsen, division 4.
» Uh L Olsen, division 4.
>> Good afternoon. Darcy Penner, division
» Good afternoon. Darcy Penner, division
two.
» Good afternoon. Theresa Cochran,
interimm CEO.
» Do I need this thing or is is it a bit
too loud?
>> No,
» No,
>> it's all good. All right. Well, thanks
» it's all good. All right. Well, thanks
for having me here. My name is Joe
Vickers. Uh behind me is Devon Daiser,
Beth Anne Cheney, and we're here to talk
about our new community stewardship
group that uh we're forming. So, uh
thank you for allowing us to be here and
uh introduce ourselves. The reason is to
let you know that we are forming
something. um explain why we're doing it
and really just to open up a dialogue uh
to see how how uh we can listen and
learn and and uh work together.
So, a little bit more about ourselves,
maybe I'll go into more depth about who
I am. I I uh from that first slide uh is
my family farm. I'm fourth generation
farmer. My great-grandfather bought the
farm and uh now I'm farming. Uh my dad
used to be the boss and I was the
helper. Now that role has reversed and
uh I felt incredibly lucky to live right
next to the Horseshoe Canyon.
It was right in the backyard. It was uh
my playground and really helped develop
my imagination and and uh my interest in
exploration that I've carried with me
for all of my life. when I'm not working
on a farm on the farm. Uh I'm also a
singer songwriter. So I've done a lot of
traveling performing across Canada in
the States and uh in Europe and it
always feels nice to come home and I
just feel grounded right here in in
Nehill. Um more about uh the group
itself, we are volunteer-led.
Um, we have a a number of community
members that are are interested in
supporting this initiative. We're very
much in the infancy stage. Uh, we're
working on getting our uh paperwork in
line to become a nonforprofit. Uh, but
really we're just enthusiastic
uh residents, land owners, and uh uh
folks who live nearby the Horseshoe
Canyon that use it frequently. and um
see this as an opportunity to bring
community together. So there's no
political uh affiliation on that on that
behalf.
We have the shared interest in seeing
the canyon cared for in a meaningful and
and responsible way. and and uh my
myself, I see this group as an
opportunity to have members of the
community come together cuz I remember
when I was a kid and we'd have other
farm neighbors that would get together
and we do Christmas recital or harvest
parties and we're kind of losing that in
in around our area. So I see this as an
opportunity to at least have young
families like my own and Devons and
Bethanne where we can get together and
and uh work together through the shared
interest.
We're very much valueled and uh our
vision is to ensure that the canyon is
uh continue to be used and and accessed
responsibly for present and for future
generations. uh stewardship is at least
number one um is the number one value
for me as a farmer. there is a need to
be ma maintaining land soil resources in
a meaningful sustainable way for for uh
long-term preservation and uh so I feel
like not only do I apply that to the
farming practice I see how that can
guide us as a as a group um being
respectful to the access and uh
responsible use is is right up there as
well as education I feel like uh the
more that we know and more we're aware
we can deepen our understanding of place
and enrich our experience uh in a
certain area too. Um collaboration we
all like to work with a variety of folks
and you know we believe that whenever
you can collaborate with council or
other community members we can come up
with some dream up some pretty cool
ideas.
So again, uh we're not a lobby group.
No, uh advocacy
uh driven sort of uh uh push behind us.
Um no developmental component, just a
number of community members that look at
this as a as an opportunity to uh uh
just
deepen our relationship with the canyon.
Like I was saying earlier,
how we see ourselves being helpful, uh,
volunteer stewardship and care,
providing education, uh, history on the
ecology as well as the paleontology, and
again bringing community together in a
constructive way. I uh, I know I I'm
very much inspired by what's happening
in Canonascis. They have a a non
for-profit group out there, Friends of
Canonascis, and they've got a number of
very cool trail stewardship
opportunities and and monthly um uh
email updates that talk about what's
happening and and they do minor events
as well.
So, um thank you for taking time and
hearing what we're doing and and what
we're hoping to accomplish. And really
at the end of the day, we uh we want to
don't have a really lot we don't really
have a lot on the the go uh as of yet,
but we're wanting to just keep the
conversation open and see how we can we
can help um and you know ask for for uh
for help too.
Um I guess it's also yeah like important
to recognize like we we realize that um
maintaining the Horseshoe Canyon is is a
very complex initiative and we respect
everything that you folks have have
done. uh the county um my family used to
own a portion of of that canyon and
we've seen it gone go from private to
now being public access and uh I know
when I talk with my parents we all
really appreciate everything that uh the
county has done and and we look at how
they brought in the trail and how it's
being used and and I'll be honest when I
was younger I was a bit cy cuz it was
like this was my little secret growing
going up on the edge of the horseshoe
canyon. But now every spring when I see
the parking lot full of people and the
families that are walking down that
trail when I'm driving down to the farm,
it brings me lots of joy because the
canyon is attracting people that are
engaging in an outdoor activity and
doing something positive. And I got to
say, for the most part, the people that
are using it are responsible because
they're they're nature enthusiasts. So,
um I I I I just uh yeah, I'll leave it
at that. I really appreciate your time
and for listening and and thanks for for
uh everything.
>> Thank you for your presentation. Uh
» Thank you for your presentation. Uh
council got any questions or they'd like
to discuss?
>> Uh councelor Woodstock.
» Uh councelor Woodstock.
>> Well, thank you very much Joe and uh
» Well, thank you very much Joe and uh
Devon and Devin and
>> Bethan.
» Bethan.
I knew I'd get anyway. Regardless, I
know you guys are Yeah, I know you guys
are in your infancy.
What What would you anticipate to see
there in the future? I I know that it's
a very hard question, but if you have
something that you would like to see,
I'm just wondering uh how you'd like to
see it developed.
>> Yeah, good question. Uh right now it's
» Yeah, good question. Uh right now it's
just baby steps. Uh the one thing that
we talked about that would be our first
action is in the springtime do a
community-led trash pickup where we can
go out, do a hike in the canyon,
surrounding area, uh bring our families
along, make it a fun community activity,
and just help maintain the beauty of the
region, especially before visitors come.
And as far as other grand plans, that's
really all it is. Just step one was
to actually follow through on this
conversation because, you know, we were
looking at what friends of Canon ask for
a while and oh yeah, something like this
could exist here in here in uh at at the
horseshoe and then you know uh finally
we decided to go ahead with that. That's
step step one. Step two was coming here
to uh present ourselves and step three
is just the one one uh one engagement
that we have planned for the springtime.
>> Okay. Thank you very much.
» Okay. Thank you very much.
>> Thanks, Jerry.
» Thanks, Jerry.
>> Uh Council Cunningham.
» Uh Council Cunningham.
>> So, I love what you folks are doing.
» So, I love what you folks are doing.
This is how things happen and nobody
does it better than rural Alberta. Group
of citizens get together and that's how
things happen. Um, I guess for me, you
know, I love what you're saying about
the trash pickup and like sounds like
you guys really want to be stewards of
the area. Um, last term we spent, I
think it was about $110,000
um to have some concepts brought to us.
And so there's three current concepts
that are sitting kind of on the docket.
I would really like to hear from you
folks like one of them was um a little
bit over 20,000 square foot pavilion. Is
that like something that you folks see
in the future? kind of further to what
councelor Woodstock said, is that is
that kind of a vision that you see or
because that's actually the one that was
um passed um last summer, I believe. So,
just curious from somebody that's down
there, what what your vision is for
that.
>> Yeah, good question. We haven't got that
» Yeah, good question. We haven't got that
far in conversation, so I can't really
speak to having a position on it, but
that is a question I'd love to bring
back to everybody at our next meeting.
And that that one for me is really hard
because that's where I was going with
that. I actually had a motion on the
table, I think it was in June of last
year, to ask our rate what they thought
the vision would be down there and
unfortunately um that didn't pass. So
that's where it's really hard for me to
know what what our people see as the
vision down there because um we did have
the I think actually Mr. Daiser, if I'm
correct, you were on the focus group, I
believe.
>> Um thank you. So yeah, I still there's
» Um thank you. So yeah, I still there's
some questions for me about what people
see. Like I hear some people say they'd
be happy to have, you know, maybe an
enhanced bathroom facility, but the the
one I think it was called a regional
destination would have been up to $24
million. And so that's for me, I just
really don't have a clear indication of
what the people of Nihill County see for
their vision there, whether it's a small
facility or this large massive pavilion.
So yeah,
>> great. I I feel like that's if if that's
» great. I I feel like that's if if that's
all right. Uh this is a a great starting
point to at least for us as immediate
members of the surrounding area, it's
something that we can discuss with our
neighbors and other people around to
just get the conversation going and we
can at a later time schedule another
meeting and and we can come back with
you with with a position.
Any other questions?
» Thank you very much.
>> All right. Thanks, folks.
» All right. Thanks, folks.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Have a good day.
All right. All right.
» Yes.
>> Council Wilson.
» Council Wilson.
>> Yeah. I just uh would acknowledge the
» Yeah. I just uh would acknowledge the
presentation as brought forth by the
friends of the horseshoe.
» Cool.
All right. Council and count committee
reports.
Uh let's start with the SCSS.
This will be a good one.
>> Thank you. Um,
» Thank you. Um,
no, I had just included the minutes from
the
um, thank you Candace from the January
meeting. So, um, unless anyone has any
questions on that. Um, I did uh, mention
to the FCSS director that we would um,
really love to see some numbers
>> um, as to the uh, usage from Nihill
» um, as to the uh, usage from Nihill
County residents. So, um, I did convey
that and I'm not sure and Miss Cochran
can maybe help me with this. The grant
writer portion, if I'm right, you
receive the numbers for that for usage
of whether it's town of Tho
County. Is that correct?
>> Yes. To the brief to council, we do
» Yes. To the brief to council, we do
receive a report monthly from the grant
writer as to what they've applied for
and I can share that out with council.
>> Thank you. Yep. So, unless anybody has
» Thank you. Yep. So, unless anybody has
any questions, that's it for me.
that that there would be a good thing to
look into. I mean, we do spend an awful
lot of money there.
>> Yeah. Thanks.
» Yeah. Thanks.
Uh
the next agenda item, the SB U Councor
Woodstock, the meeting or pardon me, the
convention.
>> Yes. Uh the egg service board had their
» Yes. Uh the egg service board had their
conference last week.
uh councelor Olsen, councelor Anderson
and myself attended.
Lot of good information presented there.
Um it was it was it was a great it was a
great conference because there was so
much information presented there. Uh AI
and Egg was uh done by Rob Sych. His
alter ego would be Steve Stubble jumpsky
if you've ever seen him. But he didn't
he wasn't he was actually being very
serious and AI has been used in
agriculture. Probably the biggest user
of AI will be agriculture in the future
according to what he was projecting. Uh
we also had Filipe Masetti. He's the guy
that rode a horse 27,000 miles across
from starting in Alaska all the way down
to I think the southern tip of Brazil if
I'm not mistaken. And uh so he had a
inspirational speech there. We also had
some economists and what's happening in
the world trade area. Earl Anderson
speaking.
um
he well regardless things are going to
change but when they're going to change
he doesn't know which is why he's giving
actual speeches and not living on an
island someplace.
Uh we've also had Alberta climate and
weather. Trevor Wallace was there spoke
on the trends of weather and basically
said that yeah it's going to be
hot or it's going to be dry or it's
going to be windy or it's going to be
cold. Never sure which but it's there is
no way to forecast it which we kind of
seem to know there anyway. And there was
a number of other things that were uh
good trade show, lots of interest in the
trade show. It was a good conference all
around. Uh the summer tour is going to
be hosted by Wheatland County, I do
believe July 14th to the 16th.
So if you want to participate, um keep
it in mind because it's going to be
close to home and they've and they're
really excited about showing off
Wheatland County.
And that's pretty much everything that
I've got to report on, but there was
quite a bit more there.
>> Uh, go
» Uh, go
>> was there was there any uh any
» was there was there any uh any
acknowledgement or anything about the uh
canola tariffs uh through of course the
minister wasn't there. Correct.
the ADM was there. Um, and that would
have been brought up through making
sense of Yeah, that would have been in
Earl Anderson's little spiel because
that was to do with uh making sense of
stained stained sustained economics and
world tariffs.
So, they're looking forward to having
trade with China and the price of canola
going up. But he's also acknowledged
that the price of grains in general has
come down and it's probably going to uh
it's going to take quite a bit to get
the prices back up again.
But as far as the cattle industry goes,
cattle industry is peaking. Well, I
don't know if it's peaking. They
consider it to keep going up. Um cost of
beef will continue to rise. Uh it's
because of retention numbers. Currently
they're forecasting possibly 30%
increase in retention. The only problem
is is when it goes to
profitability
if somebody buys a or intends to bring a
heer breed it and bring it into
production. If there is economics that
show that that heer is actually going to
make a profit that will actually go into
making a profit rather than going into
increasing the cattle herds.
So unless something kind of maybe
shifts, cattle numbers are forecast to
remain low and cattle prices or beef
prices to remain high.
But you know how experts work that?
» Any other questions? Uh councelor
Cunningham.
>> Uh two questions that I have. Um kind of
» Uh two questions that I have. Um kind of
federal issues. Uh, a couple rate pairs
asked me if Nihil County was providing
um any feedback to the federal
government on this potential new
traceability requirements from the CFIA.
And I I think um maybe this it was
county of Stler had put forward a
resolution and if if so could you just
maybe talk to that a little bit just so
our rate payers are kind of aware what's
going on with that.
>> Yes, there was a res there was a
» Yes, there was a res there was a
resolution that came in through the
resolutions committee. Uh it was amended
to state that they would like to put a
hold on it. Uh the amendment said 3
years and then the amendment was
defeated and the word indefinitely put
in there. What they're looking at is
like right now CFIA is really pushing to
have more and more input but the egg
service boards feel that we have a very
good traceability system in Canada top
of top of the world actually. We can
actually trace it right back to um trace
it back to the herd of origin by just
using manifests and branding. But with
the tagging system that just clarifies
it even even more. So the the
resolutions
basically stated, yeah, let's let's put
this on hold indefinitely and uh prove
that we actually have to have enhanced
CFIA participation.
>> Thanks for that. I'm just something to
» Thanks for that. I'm just something to
pose. I I wonder if it would be um
something maybe egg service if there's
like maybe a letter that went out. I
mean I I know it's we're fighting the
giant but um I never think it hurts to
have our voices heard. So just maybe
something I'd maybe ask egg service
board to
>> I think it should come from council
» I think it should come from council
>> or come from council. Yeah.
» or come from council. Yeah.
>> I think I I think it actually should
» I think I I think it actually should
come from council. One of the other
questions that and Jerry you might know
or councelor Woodstock would know what
what was the reasoning for this from the
federal government? We had such a good
system and now now it seems like it it's
just that you crossed the fence and now
you're into trouble again
>> because they can.
» because they can.
I mean, I can't justify why they're
doing it. I don't think they can justify
why they're doing it other than the fact
that they seem to think they can get
away with enhancing. And I don't know if
it's actually an enhancement or it's
more of a detriment to the actual cater
cattle producers,
but some of the stuff that was stated
there, like they said that every time a
cow moves off its premise that it would
have to be identified, but there were
statements made there by people that
were part of CFIA that said, "No, no,
no. That's not what we're looking for."
So, I'm just trying to figure out what
it was that they were actually trying
trying to prove and what they were
looking for.
That being said, I mean, maybe what we
should be doing, and this is just a
thought, um, I got a couple letters
sitting on my desk at home from the
official opposition leader of Canada,
maybe we should send a letter to him
stating that, you know, maybe this is be
something that you could maybe ask the
egg minister
uh, and what the benefits are to us
Albertans or Scattle people, not not
just Alberta. Um, might be might be a
worthwhile presentation. Uh, I think we
should start using these people. Um,
whether it's whether it's him or whether
it's our even our MLAs. Um, a lot of a
lot of comments came from our district 2
meeting about even the MLAs got to get
involved with us more on this ground
level to to get with the program, right?
Because they seem to be in a closed door
session all the time up there and
they're not seeing what's actually
happened to the rapeers. That in fact
was one of the recommendation that came
from the people wanting to change it is
to go that route. That's the only thing
we've got left to go to is those people.
>> What can I
» What can I
>> Well, 40% of the cattle herd is actually
» Well, 40% of the cattle herd is actually
centered in the Canadian cattle herd is
actually centered in Canada. So, we have
the most to lose here. And I don't know
if there's anything that uh either
councelor Anderson or councelor Olsen
would like to add that I maybe missed.
By all means uh if you give them the
opportunity maybe they'll get the maybe
they'll get a different perspective.
» Councelor Olsson.
>> Yeah. No, I think uh Miss Councelor
» Yeah. No, I think uh Miss Councelor
Woodstock covered it fairly well. It's
just uh ongoing.
We just heard uh there will be ongoing
struggles.
uh
in this industry and and the whole uh mo
or theme of the thing was cultivating
resilience. So uh it's basically just
you know telling people that are in the
industry egg industry to be resilient
and stick with things and and even
though things might get bumpy. One of
the things one of the things that I've
heard and I've heard this from different
reefs uh throughout our area here is
that one of the concerns is that with
the way that oil and gas is going right
now, agriculture is still the main the
main scoop around here. So, we got to
start looking after this agriculture a
little bit better and and start fighting
against these guys to that that are
actually to me to me this is this is an
attack on a system that was
bombroof if you would ask me and I mean
is it just for bureaucracy or is it you
know that's what we need to find out and
that's that's my thought I think we
should write a letter C
>> so I I would put forth a motion that
» so I I would put forth a motion that
council sends a letter to our MP and our
MLA
to provide some clarity on the new
traceability requirements proposed from
the CFIA or however you want to word it.
I know somebody that I was talking to
said that even with their horse, if they
take their horse to the parade, they
will have to report that. So, um, sounds
uh, very
>> Well, I was just a little concerned what
» Well, I was just a little concerned what
happens when councelor Olsson's bees
escape.
Thanks, Reef.
» There there was two other things that
were I thought was particularly
interesting.
>> Oh, just a bit.
» Oh, just a bit.
>> Oh, okay.
» Oh, okay.
>> Sorry, Council Anderson. I should have
» Sorry, Council Anderson. I should have
let you go first, but um so my motion
would be that council directs
administration to draft a letter to our
MLA and our MP. um maybe to provide
clarity on the potential new
requirements on traceability from the
CFIA.
>> Does that make sense?
» Does that make sense?
>> Um is is my thought would be is
» CFID
» and would you could add would gladly sit
down and meet.
>> He told me he would.
» He told me he would.
and would be open to a potential meeting
with either of these entities
>> potential potential new requirements. I
» potential potential new requirements. I
guess we need the clarity on on the
reasoning that this is for
>> like
» we would welcome a meeting with either
of them, both of them. All of them.
Is everybody comfortable with that? Do
you want to read it back?
>> You could. Or is everybody good with it?
» You could. Or is everybody good with it?
>> I can read it. I'll read it. Um, I will
» I can read it. I'll read it. Um, I will
make the motion that council directs
administration to draft a letter to our
MLA and to our MP to provide clarity on
the reasoning for the potential new
requirements from the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency and state we would
welcome a meeting with them.
» Thank you. Uh, everybody clear on that?
Any discussion, concerns?
All in favor?
Carrie announced
Merurl after sorry we cut you off. Did
you want to discuss?
>> I just wanted to uh a couple other
» I just wanted to uh a couple other
issues that were uh addressed I found
particularly interesting because
I am a agricultural person. They are
trying to and are within one month of a
possible reinstatement of strick nine
for our areas.
It's not in done yet, but it's close. Uh
the other one was I found very
interesting was the wild boar uh thing,
what they're doing with the wild boar.
Uh heard about it, never experienced it.
They did clarify where the areas are of
high numbers are, what they're doing.
They're they're pursuing a more of a
trapping rather than a shooting thing.
Uh, but it it was good information to
war because I never knew where the
incidents. I've never seen one, but I
know it's a problem.
>> Council, just one more. Um, the the
» Council, just one more. Um, the the
other um issue that that's come up to me
a few times, and I think this would have
happened after your convention, but a
lot of folks are really concerned about
um the discontinuation of the LOM
research station. Um, I think it's been
in operation since 19 it was announced
after. Yeah. Since 1907. So, um maybe
nothing we want to, you know, address
right now, but um maybe see where it
goes in another couple weeks or
>> I I think we should keep an eye on that
» I I think we should keep an eye on that
one because actually there was something
like an unbelievable amount of federal
uh employees that are going to be let go
like throughout Canada.
>> It's just just not here. But it always
» It's just just not here. But it always
seems that when the feds do something,
it always seems to affect us farmers.
That's the problem. That's what really
bothers me the most. So, I think we got
to really keep our eye on on the ball
here and we got to do as whatever we
can. I know it's like fighting or
beating a dead horse with a stick, but
we we got to you got to keep trying.
Thanks for that.
Any other comments, concerns,
any other thing to going on that we need
to know?
>> All right.
» All right.
I'm looking for you. Know what?
Council cutting.
>> I'll move the council receive for
» I'll move the council receive for
information the council. Nope, that's
not right.
You're tricking me. Um, so I'll move
that we receive for information the
council and committee report as
presented. Thank you, Candace.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
We're looking for number 13.
» Do you want any discussion? Go ahead.
Anybody any any concerns on the
followup? Everybody's looked at that.
>> We can look at that. Uh oh, pardon me.
» We can look at that. Uh oh, pardon me.
>> One of the things that one of the things
» One of the things that one of the things
that uh I was that I noticed that I'd
like to see changed is is on our uh we
can talk about it too next council
meeting
is the actual report to council. Did
everybody have a look at that one?
>> Okay. got some there's stuff stuff in
» Okay. got some there's stuff stuff in
there we should talk about if you want
to add to the agenda for next time
the the council followup as far as I as
what I looked at I'm okay with it right
now uh councelor Cunningham
>> okay and it might be in here but my eyes
» okay and it might be in here but my eyes
are starting to go funny but um we had
made that motion I think a couple
meetings ago about sending the letter to
the minister of affordability and
utilities um has that been done yeah
okay thank Any
concerns, questions?
» All right.
» Motion,
>> councelor Hopkins. I move the council
» councelor Hopkins. I move the council
receive the information
uh from the council follow-up action
list as presented.
>> Thank you.
» We okay there.
» Do we need Is it a motion?
>> No,
» No,
>> it's not. Yes. No.
Yeah. So, we don't need a motion. Uh
adjournment.
Councelor Olsen.
I uh
make the motion that the meeting be
adjourned at 1
33 p.m.
» Good.
Yeah, that's what we have to clarify.