County holds organizational meeting

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Wheatland County council hosted their organizational meeting on Oct. 15 in council chambers, discussing policies, event schedules, and the reeve and deputy reeve positions, amongst other matters. 

Councillors Amber Link and Glenn Koester were nominated for the reeve position by Coun. Tom Ikert and Coun. Rick Laursen respectively. In an anonymous vote, Link won the majority vote and will serve as reeve for the remainder of the current council’s term in office. 

Coun. Scott Klassen and Coun. Rick Laursen were nominated for the deputy reeve position by Coun. Shannon Laprise and Coun. Glenn Koester respectively. Klassen won the majority vote, once again by secret ballot, and will also retain his station as deputy reeve for the remainder of this council’s term. 

A drafted 2025 event calendar was presented before council and was approved as presented without further discussion or debate. The county has scheduled 18 regular meetings of council, six committee of the whole meetings, four public presentation committee meetings, 12 municipal planning commission meetings, and four agricultural service board meetings for the upcoming 2025 year, prior to the upcoming municipal election.

Administration had recommended that council schedule an open house in January in Division 3, and in July in Division 7. 

Coun. Donna Biggar motioned for administration to instead schedule the open house in her division to take place in February. This motion was carried unanimously. Similarly, Laursen motioned for administration to schedule the Division 7 open house for June instead of July. This motion was also carried unanimously.

Also renewed were the signing authorities for Wheatland County, which were passed without debate. Reeve Link, Deputy Reeve Klassen, the Chief Administrative Officer, the General Manager of Corporate and Financial Services, and the Manager of Financial Services were listed on the document as approved authorities. 

Council reviewed memberships and positions for the various municipal boards which councillors sit and participate on. Details regarding current seats are available publicly through council’s Oct. 15 organizational meeting agenda. 

Coun. Klassen motioned for council to approve the county’s attendance at both upcoming Rural Municipalities of Alberta 2025 conventions, being in March and November 2025 respectively. 

It is noted in council’s agenda that attendance at an RMA convention in Edmonton is approximately $12,620, accounting for the six councillors who participate. This includes registration, mileage, accommodations and meals. Council voted unanimously to approve the motion. 

The full organizational meeting is available for public viewing via the county’s YouTube channel. The agenda is visible through the county website.