Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

Community development in rural areas, especially areas with a relatively small population, can be severely handicapped by conflict between entrenched factions. All associations or corporate bodies can be vulnerable, from time to time, to over-indulging in too much drama. When this occurs, common objectives get lost, agreement is seemingly impossible, and hard feelings prevent reconciliation. It is in such times when it helps to remember what first motivated us to get involved with our community, or what inspired us to take on an initiative that we try to advance collectively. Different people get involved for their own reasons, and in community development we learn to associate and work collectively with people whom we might not otherwise have much in common.

Read More about Notes from Council, September 2026

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

Deputy Reeve Laurie Lyckman and I began the month by participating in the Carmangay parade on August 1^st. We were joined by the County operations crew who washed, shined, and decked out some of their equipment for the occasion. As mentioned previously, 2026 marks the 75^th Anniversary of Vulcan County, and this was the fourth and final parade of the year. Laurie and I got our exercise in hiking the parade route and handing out candy. There was a great turnout by the community. The Carmangay Agricultural Society had their annual fair, the local fire department had an open house and bake sale, there was an open-air market beside the library (which was also open), and the Carmangay Historical Society opened the doors to their historic community church and museum. There were games for the kids near the drop-in, as well as a car show and adult games—or maybe deep and serious conversation to solve world hunger and other problems!—at the beer garden.

Read More about Notes from Council, August 2026

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

Recreation Boards in our region are currently receiving applications for funding in 2027. While some recreation boards may still receive applications into August, please submit applications to your local recreation board by August 1^st (or ASAP). Once applications are received, each board must have a meeting to review the applications from their district, propose a budget for 2027, and then submit everything to Vulcan County by October 31^st. This timeline is predictable year-over-year for applicants, gives enough time for recreation boards to meet, and allows municipal administration and councils enough time to review recreation budgets prior to the end of the year. Division 6 has three recreation districts: Champion, Milo, and Vulcan. The County is working with its municipal partners to ensure fair and transparent sharing of costs as we go forward.

Read More about Notes from Council, July 2026

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

At the June 3^rd Regular Meeting of Council, the Privacy Management Program of Vulcan County was brought forward for decision. This program is mandatory under new provincial legislation regarding access to information and protection of privacy. All public bodies in Alberta must have one and privacy impact assessments are required prior to disclosure of information.

On June 10^th, 2026, a Public Hearing was held in the Champion Community Hall to receive information on a proposed Land Use Bylaw Amendment (Bylaw 2026-007). This bylaw proposed redesignating approximately 865 acres from Rural General to Rural Industrial, being located northeast of Travers Reservoir and on the north side of HWY 529. The hearing was well attended with overflow seating being used in the lower level of the hall, a facility that has enough seating for 400 people. At the hearing, apart from the applicant for the redesignation, the manager for the Bow River Irrigation District spoke about the impacts on the irrigation system of the proposed project. Over the course of the hearing, excluding those two speakers, twenty-six people spoke in opposition while two spoke in favour.

Read More about Notes from Council, June 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.

Read More about Notes from Council, May 2026