Notes from Council, May 2026
Dear Residents & Ratepayers,
Tax notices have gone out and are due at the end of July. Please contact the County Office if you have not received notices that you are expecting, or should you have questions about your property assessment that need to be brought to the attention of the County’s assessor.
If you are interested in deep diving on County financial information, our Corporate Services team does an excellent job preparing award winning reports that are available on the website: https://www.vulcancounty.ab.ca/ (As mentioned previously, Vulcan County has been recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association International for the quality of its reporting.). Select the second button from the left, “Financial Reporting”, at the bottom of the Home Page. That will take you to three interactive dashboards: Financial Reporting, Performance Measures, and 2025 Annual Financial. Scrolling down the same page, you will come to the 2026 budget for operations and capital expenditures. There is historical information, as well as insight into the budgeting process. Please reach out if you have any questions.
For those following the status of Bylaw 2026-007, rezoning lands from Rural General to Rural Industrial, this bylaw will receive a new Public Hearing on June 10th at 1:00 PM in the Champion Community Hall. There is an important “Note” on the official Notice of Public Hearing that reads: “Oral submissions that were made at the April 1, 2026 public hearing, written submissions that formed part of the April 1, 2026 public hearing agenda package, and any written submissions or communications provided to Council or Administration in relation to the April 1, 2026 will not be considered as part of the June 10, 2026 public hearing. If you wish to make submissions to be considered at this June 10, 2026 public hearing, you may sign up to make oral submissions again or provide a written summary of your previous oral submissions. Additionally, you may resubmit your previous written submissions or you may make new written submissions.” The official notice is available on the County’s website, as well information on the bylaw and a guide on how to participate in the hearing.
I had two regular council meeting in May, as well as a meeting of the Executive Committee for the Oldman River Regional Services Commission and a meeting of the Vulcan Flying Club which manages the Vulcan Airport. The Executive Committee met to review and discuss preliminary strategic planning that has been prepared by the new Chief Administrative Officer for the organization, Tracy Thomas, after extensive consultation with staff. The Vulcan Flying Club meets on a regular basis to manage the business affairs of the airport, as well as the social affairs of the club. The Town of Vulcan and Vulcan County each appoint a councillor to attend these meetings, and the club is currently working with the municipalities to ensure that important improvements are made at the airport regarding access and runway rehabilitation.
Council heard from delegations at the May 6th and May 20th meetings. The Rowan House Society presented regarding the support that they provide to break the cycle of domestic violence and abuse in Southern Alberta communities. The Intensive Livestock Working Group presented regarding their coordination with eight industry livestock organizations to address a disconnect between urban and rural residents, define stakeholders and their responsibilities, change the perspective of Confined Feeding Operations, and identify municipal challenges and opportunities.
Sincerely,
Christopher Northcott