County extends fencing agreement

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

Wheatland County extended their fencing agreement with DENICO through 2016.
DENICO has served the county well for three years and were recommended to come back for another term by staff.
“Their agreement was from 2012 to 2014 and there was a possibility for an extension, so their fees were fixed for those three years. With the new rates, they’ll be fixed for the next two years,” said Alan Parkin, Wheatland County’s Chief Administrative Officer.
“In 2017, we’ll have to go out for a new tender because we won’t be able to extend it again. DENICO can apply again but might not be successful.”
Parkin added that the rate increase is in the eight to 10 per cent range because of the materials that will be needed by the company.
“Most of the materials have gone up in the last three years. The labour costs have been the same, like they have always been. Different things went up different amounts,” said Parkin.

 

Valley bus funding
Reeve Koester received letter back from the Valley Bus Society in regards to their future plans for aging buses. The two-year fundraising plan will include replacing the aging vehicles to buy newer ones, without the existing stairs or wheelchair lifts, as it is matter of them being a hazard and too expensive. The campaign will also include buying vans instead of buses, as they are easier to move around and it helps with controlled costs. The costs for a fully equipped van will be $75,000. The report also indicated that the Valley Bus Association is looking for a donation.

 

Helipad expansion
Deputy Reeve Ben Armstrong had an update on the expansion of the Strathmore Hospital Helipad, Wheatland Regional Water Partnership (WRWP) project and Transfer Site Agreements the county has with small villages. He mentioned that there is an updated provincial direction through the rural health services review. The WRWP project is hoping for an updated application on the scope of the $9 million expense for the pipeline. There is a hope of renegotiating an agreement with the villages, for shared costs of maintaining transfer sites for garbage disposals.

 

CAO Report
Chief Administrative Officer Alan Parkin provided an update on his activities for the county. He mentioned in his report that on April, 19 staff members attended the Leadership for Safety Excellence Course and WHIMIS courses. He also reported that the 2014 school information was provided, indicating upgrades for the schools. Central Bow Valley used $2.4 million, $2.1 million went to Standard, $1 million used for Hussar and $0.4 million went to Rockyford.