Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

Applications remain open for the third member-at-large on the Vulcan District Recreation Board. Details can be found on my website as well as on the County website. Applicants must be resident within the district.

The first meeting of the Vulcan District Recreation board was on February 2^nd. Town of Vulcan Community Services Manager, Chris Gauthier, provided a budgetary overview of available programs. Given that the Summer Games are funded from a County-wide expense account, the proposed programming budget is very close to what the County is already estimating for the district. The new recreation board model allows County input from the rural ratepayers into what programs are funded by the recreation levy. This board will also advise County Council on joint use facility arrangements and capital purchases where fifty percent of the County funds come from the Vulcan district.

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

Vulcan County Council has appointed two new members-at-large for the Vulcan District Recreation Board. I want to thank Josh Umscheid and Troy Dobson for their willingness to serve in this capacity. A third position on the board remains open and County Council would like to fill it. If you live in the Vulcan Recreation District, the new recreation board consists of three Public Members who are resident in the district and will assist three councillors with reviewing the ongoing development of programs and funding supports. Further details, can be found on my own and on the County website, including the application: https://christophernorthcott.com/appointments-to-vulcan-district-recreation-board/ . The first meeting of the board is February 2^nd, 2023.

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

 With drifting snow across County roads, grader operators are doing their best to respond to complaints in a timely manner and keep traffic moving. Please notify Operations if you require a road to be plowed or have noticed significant drifting. You can call 403-485-6090 and leave a message if it is not answered in person.

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.