Category: Notes from Council

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

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

There were two meetings of Council in April and one meeting of the Budget Committee. Between regular council business and a public hearing for a land use bylaw rezoning application, April 1^st ended up being a lengthy day. Council undertook some administrative updates to the Linear Tax Stability bylaw, as well as providing a letter of support for the Marquis Foundation seniors housing project. While the former provides predictable levels of taxation for large linear assets, the latter is necessary for funding agreements with the Province of Alberta and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to move towards construction of a new seniors lodge. Also at this meeting, Council adopted a Shotgun Policy to enable Community Peace Officers to have a humane way to dispatch animals should it not be possible to get a wildlife officer on scene when needed. Council chose not to extend this authority to agricultural fieldman at this time.

Read More about Notes from Council, April 2026

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

There was one council meeting in March where we dealt with three bylaws. Council gave First Reading to Bylaw 2026-007 to rezone lands proposed for the development of a data centre. Being a Land Use Bylaw amendment, this type of bylaw requires a Public Hearing to be held prior to Second and Third Reading. A Public Hearing is scheduled for April 1^st so please check out the County’s website for more information on the proposal. Your input is welcome.

Read More about Notes from Council, March 2026

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

The District 20 (Champion) Fire Protection Association met on February 19^th for the first time this year. The Association is hoping to do three community bingos this year so please watch the Champion Chronicle and social media for notices of these events.

Also discussed at this meeting were the governance policies for the association, as well as the memorandum of understanding that sets the association apart from the District 20 fire department of Vulcan County. While the association is established to raise public awareness and fundraise for local emergency services, the regional fire department is the sole service provider.

Finally, the association is working on a path forward for its building project initiative, one that will see the eventual construction of an annex east of the fire hall for additional secure storage of equipment. Last year, the association was unsuccessful in applying for a Community Facility Enhancement Program grant, proposing a facility that would support not only the fire department but other community groups who require secure storage for equipment. Volunteers are now working with Vulcan County personnel on how to best phase and develop this project while pursuing alternative funding opportunities. I am working to facilitate these conversations. The tremendous support of the Champion Community and region for the activities of the fire association is greatly appreciated. As such, I will do my best to provide regular updates on this building project.

Read More about Notes from Council, February 2026