County passes signing authorities bylaw

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Wheatland County council discussed Bylaw 2025-01, being their Signing Authorities Bylaw, during the March 4 regular meeting, which aims to clarify and centralize how county documents are signed. 

The bylaw in question was written to ensure county documents are in compliance with the Municipal Government Act and other enactments of its policies, and designates the reeve (or deputy reeve depending on circumstance) and the CAO as primary signatories for bylaws, minutes, cheques, and other negotiable instruments. 

“Each year during the organizational meeting, signing authorities must be set. This particular bylaw, the intent will be to prevent the need for having to approve those signing authorities each year, and also extend a broader sense to the aspect of the signing authority that is delegated by council to the CAO and ultimately to staff,” said Cory Adamson, general manager of corporate and financial services. “While the CAO bylaw does provide delegation authority, this bylaw refines that portion of the authority for signatories and ensures consistency.”

Adamson explained the goal of the bylaw is to reduce risk and increase accountability by signatories.

Provisions noted in the bylaw include methods of signatures that can be used depending on what they are needed for, the validity of the signatures – particularly for digital signatures, role-based tolerances and delegation. 

Signing authorities for multiple document types within the county are also outlined and defined within the bylaw. 

Benefits of the bylaw are defined in council’s meeting agenda as serving to streamline processes, ensure practices are consistent and compliant both with the MGA and County policies, and to reduce administrative burden by establishing long-term signatories based on role. 

Council will no longer be required to formally approve signing authorities annually at the organizational meeting.

Following Adamson’s presentation, Coun. Donna Biggar motioned immediately for first reading of the bylaw without further discussion or debate. 

This motion was passed unanimously by council. Coun. Tom Ikert motioned for second reading, which was subsequently also passed unanimously.

Biggar motioned for council to grant permission to hold third and final reading, followed by Ikert motioning to hold third reading. These were also both passed unanimously.