Boundary changes reshape Wheatland community funding board

By Melissa Crispin-Piche Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Wheatland County council has approved changes to its Community Enhancement Regional Board to correct an imbalance caused by revised electoral boundaries.

The decision places Shirley Armstrong in a Division 6 seat and appoints Scott Kolewaski to Division 5. Shelley McEachern will fill a Division 3 vacancy left by Lisa Bury’s resignation.

The board requires two representatives from each of the county’s seven divisions and helps determine funding allocations from the Community Enhancement Reserve.

Community services coordinator Dave Rimes told council that boundary changes had left three board members residing in Division 6.

Armstrong had been appointed to represent Division 5 but now lives in Division 6. 

Administration recommended giving her a new two-year term representing Division 6, noting that she still had a substantial portion of her existing term remaining and had served longer than fellow member Randal Melcher.

Melcher’s term was expiring, although he had offered to serve again. Alison Roppel, the other Division 6 representative, still had a year remaining.

The recommendation prompted questions about how the county handles competing applicants for a board position.

Reeve Shannon Laprise asked whether that situation had arisen before and whether positions were advertised when incumbents wanted to return.

Rimes said the county continued advertising even when existing members wished to remain.

Council approved the appointments following further discussion of Melcher’s interest in another term.

Laprise encouraged him to apply again when another opening becomes available. 

“I hope that he will put his name forward again,” she said. 

Rimes said he had already discussed applying next year with Melcher, who had agreed to do so.

Council also renewed appointments for Robyn Harms, Margo Comstock, Marcy Field, Mya Zimmerman, Maxine Bartelen and Kim Sandum.

The newly approved terms run from Nov. 1 to Oct. 31, 2028.