Utility rate escalates

Times Contributor     

 

Wheatland County utility rates are set to rise 10 per cent on flat and metered rates as of July 1. Cluny wastewater flat rate will be set at $27.95 bi-monthly and the Capital Utility levy will increase in hamlets to $22 per billing period. The costs are based on operating costs and costs for new infrastructure needed. The breakdown can be seen on the county website www.wheatlandcounty.ca under the June 10 agenda.

“Reducing the requirement to fund utility services from tax dollars, frees up tax dollars to use for other services,” stated General Manager of Finance and Corporate Service Pat Leitch.

Chief Administrative Officer Alan Parkin said that new infrastructure demands for water and wastewater treatment will be needed and this in part may offset the final recovery costs.

“If the money is in place, it won’t mean a huge increase when the lines go in,” said Parkin.

Councillors said that the increase works out to about $25 month and it is comparable to what other municipalities are currently charging. Consumers will see the rise in rates on their September bill.

 

Golf tourney for county staff approved

Wheatland County staff requested a $5,000 increase in their special event money to hold a corporate golf tournament on June 10. The premise is those who golf together…work well together.

“The county aspires to create coherence between work and time off, as well as give colleagues in the various departments a chance to better get to know one another, promoting team spirit and improved cooperation across department lines,” stated Parkin.

The staff currently have a $15,000 budget, which goes to mixers such as wing night, the Christmas party and a company BBQ. There are often appreciation gifts given out at the events.

Parkin said that staff has considered combining the yearly BBQ with the golf tournament, which he said would improve turnout for both events. He said the gifts are sponsor donations and cost the county nothing. 

Some councillors supported the move and others felt they should work within the current budget.

“It is an appreciation for what staff is doing all year long. They spend a lot of time doing work that we don’t see or hear anything about,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong. “It is a good time to tell them they are doing a good job.” 

Council approved the increase with two councillors opposed.

 

Effluent spill

Councillors were concerned that new development in Rosebud may need to be put on hold, when they heard that the current sewage system was spilling effluent. 

“We dealt with it right away and reported it to Alberta Environment,” said General Manager of Transportation and Infrastructure Dave Churchill.

Crews kept up with the problem by pumping effluent into trucks and hauling it to the Drumheller treatment plant. 

Churchill said the sewage field system is past its time and is now at its capacity. He said one of the problems is the soil is saturated with water from recent rains. He said if money for a new system comes available, the county should look at land higher up, if they can get the cooperation of the current landowner. 

Developers have voiced an interest in establishing a partnership to fund a new sewage system, as it would ensure good septic services for potential home owners.  Churchill said another option would be to utilize reserve funding until grant money was made available for the project.

 

Pedal to the metal

A transportation study conducted along Range Road 264 and Hwy 1 to Hwy 564 near Lyalta has shown motorists consistently travel at 100 km per hour; even in zones posted at 80 and 30 km. The area has ball diamonds, a children’s play area, school bus drop-offs and mailbox access activity noted in the report. There were some visibility issues on the roadways, such as shrubbery and power poles affecting viewpoints. There was a recommendation that additional signs be posted to make motorists aware of pedestrian activity and adjust the speed limit signs from 80 km to 90 km on main areas approaching the community, consistent with other roadways in the province. A 50 km sign would be posted just prior to entering the community boundaries and 30 km signage would remain around the playground zone. There would be some repaving and a turnout for the mailbox area. Shrubbery would be cut back and realignment of the power pole at a future date would be researched.

Council approved the actions recommended in the report with one councillor opposed.

“This is a bylaw officers dream come true,” said Councillor Don Vander Velde. “We would be better off to have one speed for the main road and one for the playground.”