County Council in Brief

Posted on: Staff Writer

From edition: December 13 2019 Strathmore Times

Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Information from Wheatland County Council Regular Meeting

Bylaw 2019-22, application to redesignate +/- 0.29 acres from Agricultural General District to County Residential District and +/- 0.79 from Country Residential District to Agricultural General District. Bylaw passed.
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Bylaw 2019-25, application to redesignate 128.74 acres of plan 0813350 block 1, lot 1, from Agricultural General District to Industrial District in an effort to pre-zone County-owned land to attract potential development. Bylaw passed.
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Bylaw 2019-34, a new bylaw that will repeal the previous fire board bylaw to amend the clause on membership. Bylaw passed.
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City of Calgary is privatizing some composting services which may affect surrounding areas like Wheatland County, but the city is willing to work with the county in the transition.
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Council agreed to solicit further feedback after Councillor Jason Wilson amended the dates on the Alberta First resolution.
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Inspection completed on Rocky Mountain Gas to Liquids in Division 3; company is projected to be operational by May 2020.
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Request for decision on Community Enhancement Regional Board (CERB) appointment of Cole Kaiser in Division 7; passed.
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Request for decision on interim operating budget:
• Policing costs, changes to assessment formulas, education requisition changes, taxation and more expected to affect operating budget.
• Reorganizing departments, declining cost of living increases and a review of benefits for county employees; already down $300,000 over previous years due to efficiencies.
• The province has suggested upcoming assessment changes to property taxes (residential, farmland, non-residential, and machinery and equipment) that will result in a decrease of revenue to the county.
• Education requisition is different this year due to Shallow Gas Well Tax Relief.
• FCSS and library funding requests are not in yet.
• Utilities have increased.
• $72,000 miscellaneous expenses, Handi-bus ($35,000), Christmas hamper and other local donations.
• Council accepted the information as presented.
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Community Engagement and Economic Development has begun public consultations and is also working to project investment opportunities.

Complete minutes from council meetings can be found at www.wheatlandcounty.ca once they have been adopted.