County to provide bylaw enforcement for Village of Hussar

By John Watson Local Journalism initiative Reporter

Wheatland County Council voted to begin providing bylaw enforcement services to the Village of Hussar, during the regular county council meeting on March 22.

The Village of Hussar approached the county in 2021 requesting to have discussions about entering into an agreement for services to be provided to the village. 

County administration was then directed to consult with the Village of Hussar and return to council with a proposal for consideration regarding the provision of bylaw enforcement. 

“Between myself and our deputy CAO, we met with the CAO of the village and came up with some agreements that make our agreement with the Village of Hussar similar to the agreements we already have with the Villages of Standard and Rockyford and providing similar services to them,” said Kris Permann, senior peace officer. 

The proposed agreement between Wheatland County and the Village of Hussar would include animal control, fire and noise bylaws to be enforced by the county. 

Specifically regarding animal control, the agreement would see the county aiding in efforts regarding dogs only. 

The Village of Hussar had previously approved the agreement, according to the report provided to County Council during their council meeting, though the date at which the Village did so was not indicated.

“If council so wishes to sign this agreement, then it will take effect once it is signed,” Permann said to County Council.

Wheatland County currently maintains similar agreements with the Villages of Standard and Rockyford, in which instances it provides animal control and traffic enforcement services.

Through the agreement, Wheatland County expects to experience an increase in call volumes for services, though does not believe it will negatively affect the rest of the county as there exists adequate staff to cover the effective region.

Regarding potential remuneration to the county for its assistance, the agreement states that the county will collect the fines levied to ratepayers in the village for infractions of the various bylaws being responded to. 

The village, however, will collect any additional costs to ratepayers from such instances as prosecutions and animal holding fees.

The motion to provide the Village of Hussar with enforcement services was carried without opposition and enforcement services will begin operating in Hussar effective immediately.