Mayor Fule looks back on 2024
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
With 2025 on the horizon, Strathmore Mayor Pat Fule looks back on the successes achieved through the year and what is soon to come for the town.
“I think we are pretty happy – there has been a (large) increase in development permits. We have had 186 residential permits issued, we have got some major development projects that are close to being ready, or else they have started construction,” said Fule. “We have the Shasta seniors care community complex development on Park Lane Way, we have got construction started at the old seed cleaning plant … it is a multiplex of apartment buildings, and we have had some really good construction and infrastructure starts.”
He explained the town is looking forward to issuing development and construction permits for more residential-type applications in 2025 and expanding Strathmore’s capacity to house members of the community.
Between the 37 industrial, commercial, and institutional permits issued, $27 million in building value was added to Strathmore.
Prior to releasing council until the start of the new year, the Town of Strathmore passed their new IDP framework bylaw which had been developed in partnership with Wheatland County, and was mandated by the province to be completed before the end of 2024.
“Another exciting thing for 2024, we were able to host for the second year in a row, Premier Danielle Smith during our Strathmore Stampede, and that kind of thing creates a buzz around the parade and the Strathmore Stampede,” said Fule. “I think we are starting to be recognized as a destination for great events and for community things going on.”
In May, the Town of Strathmore approved the Physician Sponsorship Grant pilot program, which aims to attract more physicians into town, making access to medical services easier and more reliable.
The program was initiated after hearing from local residents that doctor availability is tough in Strathmore. By offering grants to support local medical offices in town, Fule said the town hopes to help relieve some of the pressure on the local medical systems, as well as make community life a little bit easier.
Additionally, Frontier Diagnostics has expressed interest in and has put forward a proposal to bring a CT scanner into the Strathmore hospital.
“Not only will the CT scanner at the Strathmore hospital help with residents in our region who need medical scanning treatment in a quick and efficient manner, but we think that having this kind of a scanner in our town may, as another benefit, attract young doctors who want to be able to have access to this type of scanning technology that is cutting edge,” said Fule. “They can also be working in the emergency department – it gives them a well-rounded bevvy of things that they can do in their professional practice rather than just being the old-style family doctor. They can actually be really accessing and having readouts on scans from the top-level professionals to help them in treating their patients.”
Fule said he hopes going into the new year, the Town of Strathmore and Wheatland County will be able to better collaborate on regional partnerships such as what was able to take place with the development of the IDP framework.
As the town approaches a population of 15,000 people, Fule is bracing for the inevitable funding model shift that will take place regarding the local RCMP once that threshold is breached.
For towns below 15,000 people, the federal government pays 70 per cent of RCMP costs and the Town is responsible for the remaining 30 per cent.
Beyond 15,000 people, the funding formula changes to 10 per cent being covered by the federal government, and 90 per cent being covered by the town.
The tax increase which will be experienced in Strathmore in 2025 is among the lowest in Alberta, having been restricted to approximately 3.6 per cent.
“It is very problematic for a town to have a zero per cent tax increase. When you do that, the town does not keep up with inflation and you are basically kicking problems down the road,” said Fule. “The town has to pay for inflationary raises in things like gas, diesel fuel, automotive and mechanical parts, deliveries – everything goes up with inflation. It is really difficult and problematic for a town to go for a zero per cent.”
With approximately eight months remaining of this council’s term and the next election waiting in the wings, Fule commended council’s efforts and achievements throughout their time serving together.
“This council has done some really good things. We have worked hard, we have worked well together,” he said. “When we focus on the big-ticket items and when we focus on our strategic plan that we lay out … we have done some really good things and we have managed to control and keep a good tax increase for next year.
“We have got some big projects done; we are looking to the future; we are going to be working hard to manage the growth in the early part of 2025. I am still excited by the job – I still feel a great deal of satisfaction when we accomplish good things as a group.”
Fule specifically noted that on behalf of the town, administration and staff, he wished the local community a Merry Christmas, as well as a safe and happy New Year.
“I am looking forward to 2025,” he said. “I am ready, I am energized, and I am ready to go.”