Author: Christopher Northcott

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

November is a busier month for County Council. In addition to the two regular meetings there is always the Rural Municipalities of Alberta conference and meetings to review the interim budget for the forthcoming new year. For 2023, the County is forecasting a significant increase in its linear taxable assessment and consideration is being given as to how this might lower certain tax rates. Decisions will be finalized come Spring.

The November 5^th fundraiser for the District 20 Fire Association was a great success, raising over twenty four thousand dollars for rural fire protection. Donations received toward the event were generous. Ryan Fleetwood was in fine form in his capacity as the auctioneer. Those in attendance—a full house despite the weather—enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by the association members. Their support for the auction broke previous records by a wide margin.

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

On November 5^th the Champion Fire Association will be having their annual fundraiser at the Champion Community Hall. There are tickets still available. Beef and bison will be served. Ryan Fleetwood will auction a unique selection of items. It will be an enjoyable evening as we celebrate our rural fire protection service.

County Council will consider Second Reading of the Linear Tax Incentive Bylaw on November 2^nd. At the October 19^th meeting, I proposed a Notice of Motion outlining the reasons why Council should consider delaying this item until our Municipal Development Plan (MDP) has been updated. It includes a letter from Division 6 resident, Leslie Warren, as well as excerpts from the 2012 Vulcan County MDP, the 2021 Vulcan County and Village of Lomond Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP), and the 2021 M.D. of Pincher Creek MDP; you can find it on my website.

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

While Division 6 contains three recreation districts and three fire districts, I had the pleasure of attending the District 20 (Champion) Fire Protection Association meeting at the end of August. Unfortunately, due to a scheduling conflict, I was not able to attend their meeting on September 27^th. I can report, however, that tickets are now available for the District 20 Fire Protection Association Annual Fundraiser on November 5th and will be available until October 28^th. Doors will open at the Champion Community Hall at 4:30 PM; the meal and silent auction are unlikely to disappoint. Please come out for an enjoyable evening in support of our volunteer fire protection service in the Champion District. All district fire halls provide integrated fire protection for the whole of Vulcan County, when and as required. The fundraising efforts of even one fire association remains a critical piece in maintaining affordable levels of service for municipal partners, as well as updated equipment purchases for our volunteers.