Wheatland County council briefs

By Melissa Crispin-Piche Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Wheatland County council had a full morning of meetings Aug. 18, with discussions ranging from utility rates to local Catholic school results and an interim appointment within the agriculture department.

County looks at future of utility rates

How Wheatland County residents pay for water and wastewater could begin to look different in the coming years as the County works toward a more consistent approach to setting utility rates.

During the Committee of the Whole meeting, council reviewed a proposed Utility Financial Policy Framework. Administration is looking for direction on several areas, including tiered water rates, how much utility services should be subsidized through other county revenue, whether rates should differ between communities and how infrastructure costs should be handled.

The discussion comes as the county continues to subsidize a significant portion of utility costs. The 2026 budget shows a consolidated utility net deficit of approximately $2.62 million. When amortization is removed, the five-year average subsidy varies considerably between communities, from five per cent in Carseland/Speargrass to 54 per cent in Rosebud. Cluny sits at 48 per cent, Gleichen at 26 per cent and Muirfield at 35 per cent.

One option being considered is tiered water billing. Average monthly water consumption among county utility customers is 13 cubic metres. 

Administration identified 15 cubic metres and 30 cubic metres as possible thresholds. About 30 per cent of accounts consistently use 15 cubic metres or more while roughly three per cent consistently reach 30 cubic metres or more. 

A higher rate could then apply once customers move beyond the established threshold.

The county is also considering whether utility rates should remain the same across its communities. Currently, water and wastewater rates are largely uniform, despite differences in the cost of providing those services. A sample subsidy model presented by administration suggests smaller systems such as Cluny and Rosebud could receive higher subsidy levels than larger systems such as Carseland/Speargrass and Muirfield.

No final utility policy was approved through the Committee of the Whole agenda. Feedback from the discussion is expected to be incorporated into a draft policy coming back to council Sept. 8. That work will also help shape proposed 2027 utility rates and changes to the county’s Master Schedule of Fees.

Catholic schools bring results to county

Representatives from Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools appeared before Wheatland County’s Public Presentation Committee to provide an update on Sacred Heart Academy and Holy Cross Collegiate in Strathmore.

Trustee Harry Salm and Superintendent Dr. Andrea Holowka were scheduled to present the schools’ Annual Education Results Report results to the committee.

Information included with the presentation showed Sacred Heart Academy, serving kindergarten to Grade 6, with an enrolment of 309 students and 63 per cent utilization. Holy Cross Collegiate, serving Grades 7 to 12, was listed with 338 students and 72 per cent utilization.

The presentation also highlighted the upcoming CTR Strathmore and District Practical Ranching School. The program is being developed in partnership with the Strathmore and District Agricultural Society and Lakeland College and is expected to launch Feb. 1, 2027.

The program is intended to give students an opportunity to explore careers in agriculture while completing their high school diploma and beginning post-secondary agricultural studies. Students will attend regular classes at Holy Cross Collegiate and take hands-on dual-credit college courses in the afternoon. A limited number of spaces are also expected to be offered to students from Golden Hills School Division.

The presentation was informational and no decision was requested from council through the agenda.

Application for new signs at Rosebud 

Wheatland County’s Municipal Planning Commission approved a development permit for replacement signage along the walking tour through the Hamlet of Rosebud.

The application proposes replacing 12 freestanding signs featuring numbered historical photographs and information about local points of interest. Administration said replacing the walking tour signs supports Rosebud’s cultural identity, heritage interpretation, tourism economy and pedestrian experience.

Several locations were adjusted following circulation of the application. 

The commission approved the new signs with variances subject to six conditions and the exclusions identified in the approval.

Interim Agricultural Fieldman recommended

Wheatland County also held a Special Council meeting Aug. 18 to deal with a vacancy in its agriculture department.

Administration recommended Russ Muenchrath be appointed Agricultural Fieldman to the Wheatland County Agricultural Service Board effective Aug. 18. 

The interim appointment follows the recent resignation of the county’s Manager of Agriculture and Environment and Agricultural Fieldman.

Muenchrath previously served as an Agricultural Fieldman with Wheatland County for many years and agreed to return to the role on an interim basis while the County recruits a permanent replacement.

Administration said recruitment for a permanent Manager of Agriculture and Environment and Agricultural Fieldman was already underway and was expected to take approximately two to three months. 

Agricultural Service Board members were consulted by email because the board’s next regular meeting is not scheduled until October, with the majority responding positively to the proposed interim appointment.

The Agricultural Fieldman position helps oversee County agricultural programs and regulatory responsibilities including weed and pest control, soil conservation, animal health responsibilities and other agricultural and environmental services.