Category: Notes from Council

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

I hope any outstanding harvesting was concluded before the weather turned this week. For those looking to get out of the house, tickets are still available for the District-20 (Champion) Fire Association fundraiser on November 4^th at the Champion Community Hall. While tickets are available at the front counter of the Vulcan County Office, they can be purchased around Champion and from most members of the fire association.

After my last Notes from Council was printed in the Champion Chronicle, I issued a correction in the online version (on my website) regarding the matter of council remuneration. The correction reads: “While the external review recommended a ten percent increase to council remuneration (which was approved in November 2022), the more recent internal review data has shown that Vulcan County remains at least fifteen percent behind the market rates (when compared to other municipalities). As such, Council has approved a one-time increase of fifteen percent, in addition to the ten percent that was approved last year, for inclusion in the 2024 budget.” Information regarding these changes can be found on my website, along with my expense reports, and I welcome your feedback on this issue.

Read More about Notes from Council, October 27, 2023

CORRECTION: This version corrects the one that was published in the Champion Chronicle that incorrectly explains the proposed changes to councilor remuneration.

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

There was one meeting of County Council in September. We had the good fortune of appointing Deanna Heather as the new Agricultural Fieldman for Vulcan County under the Agricultural Services Board Act of Alberta. In this role, Deanna replaces Kelly Malmberg after his long and dedicated service of 28 years. I have really appreciated Kelly’s contribution to Administration and wish him well in his retirement. Deanna has worked for the County for many years and is now responsible for enforcing the Weed Control Act, the Soil Conservation Act, and the Agricultural Pests Act.

Read More about Notes from Council, September 29, 2023

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

August had the two regular meetings of Council for me and no meetings for any of the other boards and committees to which I am appointed. I volunteer to sit on the District 20 (Champion) Fire Association Board—a great group of community-minded individuals—and we will be having a meeting in the near future. One item on the next agenda for this group is the upcoming Fall dinner and fundraiser to benefit our local fire protection service. After a few years hiatus, last year was a tremendous success and the association is looking to have another enjoyable community event. The hall is booked for November 4^th, so please mark it on your calendars, spread the word, and get your tickets once they are available.

Read More about Notes from Council, August 31, 2023

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

Members of council, along with our MP, Martin Shields, as well as key personnel from the Oldman River Regional Services Commission, Benchmark Assessment, and Vulcan County Administration took a rather diverse bus tour of Vulcan County on July 5^th.  We toured the fully operation 465 megawatt Travers Solar Farm southwest of Lomond. It is jointly owned by Greengate Power Corporation and Copenhagen Infrastructure Projects, spanning 3,330 acres. We then visited the construction laydown yard for the 494 megawatt Buffalo Plains Wind Farm which was recently sold to Copenhagen Infrastructure Projects. This project, when fully constructed, will span approximately 17,500 acres and include 83 turbines, being the largest single phase wind project in Canada. From the laydown yard, we were taken to the construction site for one of the first turbines, giving us an appreciation for the scale of the concrete pad that will be poured. While these pads could never be fully reclaimed, we were told that they will likely be used for a much longer length of time than any one turbine tower. A single pad could be used to support successive towers.

Read More about Notes from Council, July 31, 2023

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

There were three councillors in attendance at the Coffee with Council in Brant on June 8^th. Residents from the hamlet came out to ask questions and discuss county business. For those interested, please stay tuned for the next Coffee with Council that will be held at the Mossleigh Community Hall in late October.  

Reeve Schneider and I joined volunteers with the District 20 Fire Association (Champion) to provide a barbecue concession on June 24^th in Champion. We were set up outside the community hall while staff from Vulcan County Protective Services were hosting a free Fire Smart session for interested members of the public. These events will be occurring across Vulcan County throughout the summer with the goal being to have one in every community. Those who attend will gain insight on how to fire-proof their property, as well as have an opportunity to sign up for a free home assessment. There are door prizes to be won and a chance to see some of the equipment used by our local fire protection service. Since 2017, the public education trailer has gone around Southern Alberta, containing a mock kitchen and childrens bedroom. This trailer can simulate various household fires, providing direction on the best ways to react in each scenario.

Read More about Notes from Council, June 30, 2023

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

Deputy Reeve Shane Cockwill and a few other members of council, along with the Chief Administrative Officer, will host the first “Coffee with Council” on June 8^th at 7:00 PM. The venue chosen for this initial offering is in Division 2 at the Brant Christian School Gymnasium.

The May 3^rd meeting of County Council saw the finalization of the tax rate bylaws for 2023. With the overall increase in taxable assessment of 19.55% from 2022, tax rates were lowered by 40% for residential properties and 5.5% for non-residential properties. Given the fact that many ratepayers will have noticed an increase in their assessed values, some landowners will notice the tax savings more than others. That said, the growth in linear assessment from renewable energy installations is expected to contribute $1.78 million to County revenues. Costs have increased for policing and solid waste, and those monies are collected on a cost recovery basis.

Read More about Notes from Council, May 31, 2023