Author: Christopher Northcott

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

The Rural Municipalities of Association held its fall convention from November 4^th through November 7^th. All members of council were able to attend and we were successful in getting meetings with several provincial government ministers. Todd Loewen with Forestry and Parks was very receptive to the County’s proposal to develop a marina at the McGregor Lake Reservoir Recreation Area. Our MLA, Joseph Schow, who is also the Minister for Sport and Tourism, committed to visiting Lomond to see the unfinished state of their ice arena, community hall, and curling complex. The Lomond Ag Society is in a legal dispute with their insurance provider. Minister Schow was able to visit Lomond on November 14^th.

On November 11^th I was able to attend the Remembrance Day service at the Champion Community Hall and lay a wreath on behalf of the County. While the Champion Legion has undergone some changes this past year with the sale of their building, they continue to organize a nice event to remember Canada’s sacrifices in war.

Read More about Notes from Council, November 2024

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

              I want to thank Kathy Perley and the Champion Booster Club for re-starting the Champion Chronicle. I enjoy the monthly update and it has certainly been missed by others as well. Last month I submitted the infographics that were prepared by our Director of Corporate Services, Mark DeBoer, and you will see ongoing advertising from County Administration regarding services or Public Notices.

              The Board of the Twin Valley Regional Water Commission met twice in October to consider a new rate structure and approve a budget for 2025. The Board determined that going forward it will include all operating costs within the water rate calculation and invoice member-municipalities separately for a pre-determined contribution toward the Commission’s capital reserves. This change resulted from the challenge the Commission encountered in 2024 with the prospect of a severe drought. This new formulation of the water rate will encourage water conservation on an ongoing basis and not penalize member-municipalities for using less water. The new invoicing for capital reserves will ensure that the Commission is intentionally banking the dollars it requires to maintain its existing infrastructure and undertake significant rehabilitation projects in ten to fifteen years time.

Read More about Notes from Council, October 2024

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

We had two public delegations at our first meeting in April. STARS Air Ambulance pays us an annual visit and the County is a paying contributor to this service, as it is for HALO Air Ambulance. Successive Councils have long recognized how important emergency airlift is to saving lives in our region. Communities hosting special events this summer can register a unique Site ID with STARS for a moderate fee, making access to this service more streamlined should it be required. The STARS Emergency Link Centre, dispatching all emergency airlift ambulances in Alberta, responds to 36,000 requests per year.

Read More about Notes from Council, April 30, 2024

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

Our regular meeting on March 13^th was only a half-day, however, a few important items were covered off. Council reviewed the year end transfers to reserves totalling just over $2 million dollars. The County has a projected unrestricted surplus of $900,534.00 and a restricted surplus (being allocated to offset a capital asset liability) of $51,987,627. Please keep in mind that Vulcan County’s projected equity in Tangible Capital Assets is $107,162,173.00.

The contract renewal with the County’s property assessment provider was also reviewed and approved. Benchmark Assessment provides assessment services to all municipalities in Vulcan County and has a comprehensive understanding of our region. The new contract runs from 2025 to 2030, with a starting cost of $182,000 the first year and increasing $4,000 for every year thereafter.

Read More about Notes from Council, March 31, 2024