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A Free Weekly Publication Serving All of Beaver County Wednesday, March 16, 2022, Volume 15, Issue 11 Wednesday February 16 2022 Volume 15 Issue 7
Finance Minister addresses rural issues in budget Patricia Harcourt Rural Alberta and the 2022 provincial budget was the subject for a media session with Finance Minister Vic Toews on Monday, February 28. Toews cited higher energy prices leading to economic growth and diversification. He also credited the drop in the business tax rate from 12 per cent to eight per cent as another reason for this positive trend across the province. The result is that businesses “are pouring into the province,” he said, including a new airline, agri-food manufacturers, petro chemical investment, and film industry and financial services sectors. Toews said that “major technical companies are creating thousands of jobs.” He said that the increase in fiscal capacity is the result of more revenues for the province based on this growth and diversification. And he credited his government for holding operational spending flat, despite increases in pandemic and health care spending increases. The province now has a $500 million surplus and a balanced budget for the next three years. “So we don’t download fiscal problems to the next government,” he said. Investments in rural Alberta include the need to increase the number of large animals veterinarians living and working there. He said $59 million was going into the University of Calgary’s Veterinary College in order to double the number of students, “to serve both large and small animals in the rural areas,’ he said. The other major issue for rural Alberta is retaining and keeping doctors and nurses. “I’m from rural Alberta,” he said, adding he has experienced a shortage of health staff “from time to time.”
He said $1.8 billion over three years would go towards a fiscal plan to recruit 60 physicians “to move out to the most under served regions of the province.” Also, $22.5 million will go towards the attraction and retention of nurse for rural Alberta, along with $45 million for revitalization of rural health care facilities. An extra $64 million is going towards emergency services in the province. “I believe these are a number of key initiatives that will increase capacity in rural Alberta,” he said. However, the drop in Municipal Sustainability Funding capital and operating funds over the next two years, followed by MSI’s replacement was not one of the positive initiatives mentioned by the minister. Toews did not address the potential negative impact this might have on rural infrastructure, which rural municipalities have relied on MSI funding to help cover. Toews said the government is keeping MSI funding in place for the next two years, “at a time when municipalities can get work done very effectively,” calling it “an opportunity to build projects for 80-90 cents on the dollar.” He owned that this funding would be reduced over those two years, before rising to $22 million in what he called “the out years.” “We will be turning funding down in the ‘back end,” of the MSI, he said, noting that “municipalities were informed of this.” Toews said that, as the government turns down the funding amount, he expects the private sector to pick up and “flood into the province.” “I don’t want to displace private sector funding,” he said, explaining he was “turning government
funding down as private funding comes.” After that, he plans to “raise government funding to be at a sustainable level.” Other rural economy initiatives include increasing the capacity in the truck industry by hiring 1,000 more drivers under the Work Alberta program. “In the rural economy it’s critically important to transfer our goods,” he said, And a total of $1 billion will be invested in rural broadband, which he called “critical in rural Alberta for connectivity.” Rural crime funding will be increased to boost enforcement and capacity, he said. “I have been a victim of rural crime and I appreciate the challenge of the issue,” said Toews. Noting many people in rural areas see the catching of suspects as a “revolving door” where the person is released to carry on with their crimes. So 50 prosecutors are being added to help deal with case loads as more criminals are caught and processed in the criminal justice system. More funding has gone into the Rural Integrated Defence Response Program, he said, and officers from Alberta Fish and Wildlife have been enabled to respond to a rural crime incident. Attracting people to move to smaller communities will be helped by investing in 14 additional schools, “many in rural Alberta,” he said. “It’s critically important for families in rural Alberta to have a first class education.” He added: “The viability of rural Alberta is very important…There needs to be opportunities for individuals and families to pursue a career, start a business,” as well as the need for “good roads and infrastructure.” “Budget 2022 is a turning point for the province,” he said, “and reflects energy, strength and a more diversified economy.”
County Council moves forward by accepting reports on strategic priorities and survey results Patricia Harcourt Beaver County Council proceeded with plans to move forward with new strategies and initiatives by accepting a strategic priorities report and public participation survey summary report. At the March 2 meeting, council accepted the Strategic Priorities Report of February 22. Council requested the Interim CAO to update the Strategic Priorities Chart every three months and schedule an annual review.
The Public Participation Survey Summary Report was then referred to the new Governance and Priorities Committee for review and to provide recommendations to council. Council also agreed to refer the 2020-2030 Strategic Plan to the GPC, so the committee could work to align it with the now accepted Strategic Priorities Report. These new initiatives to upgrade strategies and plans through new initiatives started February 10-22 when council and senior management met to discuss
strategic priorities for this council’s term, explained McDonald, in his report to council. “Sixty issues and opportunities were suggested and then ranked,” he said. “Common themes were established resulting in six strategic topics.” These included: roads, drainage (beavers), economic development, level of service, organizational restructure and tax assessment base. Then action plans were developed for the five highest priorities, “taking into consideration the See PRIORITIES BCC3
2 - Beaver County Chronicle, March 16, 2022
Procedural Bylaw given first reading Patricia Harcourt A new procedural bylaw was given first reading at Beaver County Council’s regular meeting March 2. The bylaw is being put in place to clarify certain roles and responsibilities for setting meeting agendas, making protocol at meetings stronger, clarifying the debate process and business planning. The initial revamping started with a recommendation from the corporate governance review to amend the role of the CAO in setting agenda topics for council to use in their meetings. The new council asked administration to also look at amendments for council regarding debate and meeting protocols, and having council more involved in developing agendas. It has been decided by council that the reeve and deputy reeve form an agendas committee for that purpose. “The committee’s mandate and guidelines include the review and approval of agenda items for council and governance and priority committee meetings,” said Assistant CAO Margaret Jones, in her report to council. “The proposed bylaw includes amendments that will streamline meeting processes for both staff and council,” stated the report. The bylaw includes an ‘introduction of consent agendas’ for disposition of agenda items which do not require council discussion or debate, to enable quick handling of routine matters.
Nothing can be rescinded without a Notice of Motion taking place. There will be a change to the council meeting commencement according to motion #21-343. Council agenda packages will be electronic only and councillors have been provided the necessary printers to print out a copy if needed. Closed session items will have information sent in advance of the meeting if council needs additional time to review it. Discussion of this ended with council passing a motion to amend Section 48 of Bylaw 221119 to read as follows: “The CAO shall recommend the agenda items to be included under the closed session heading of the agenda in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP), and shall be responsible for the security of any confidential documents. Background information related to closed session agenda items will be distributed separately and in a secure manner with the agenda.” Councillor Dale Pederson (Division 5) then made the motion to pass first reading of the amended bylaw, which was carried. Second reading will be considered at the next regular meeting in two weeks’ time. Once passed, discussion on the motion will be allowed after first reading has ben completed instead of waiting for second reading to take place as was done previously.
Claystone Waste e is a municipally con ntrolled corporation established in 20 20 by the Town of Viking, Vikin 2020 ng Town of Tofield Tofield, Village of Ryley, Village of Holden and Beaver County. Claystone Waste is committed to being a responsive community partner and to operating with the highest standards of environmental and operational excellence in the delivery of waste management services. Claystone Waste operates the following facilities:
Beave ver Regional Landfill 50117 17 Ran ange Ro Road 17 173
780. 0.663. 3.2038
The Beaver Regional Landfill is open six days a week, k, Monday to Saturday. It is an engineered, sanitary class 2 landfill that
accepts municipal solid waste from Beaver County and the surrounding municipalities, as well as significant volumes of class 2 non-hazardous industrial wastes. In addition to the regional landfill, Claystone Waste operates five transfer stations. County residents can bring bagged household garbage, e, and other dry waste, such as broken chairs, furniture, e, mattresses and scrap wood for disposal. The location and hours for each transfer station is noted below:
Kinsella Transfer Station 46418 18 Ran ange Ro Road 113 13
x x
Wednesdays: Fridays:
780. 0.663. 3.2038
11:00 am to 5:00 pm 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Viking Transfer Station 12503 To Town wnship ip 480
x x
Tuesdays: Saturdays:
780. 0.71 718.79 7956
10:30 am to 5:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Tofield Transfer Station 51032 32 Ran ange Ro Road 191
x x x
Wednesdays: Fridays: Saturdays:
780. 0.662. 2.27 2731
10:30 am to 5:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Lindbrook Transfe fer Station 51008 Ran ange Ro Road 201 x x x
Tuesdays: Thursdays: Saturdays:
780.662. 2.270 704
10:30 am to 5:30 pm 11:30 am to 6:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Ryley Transfe fer Station 50117 17 Ran ange Ro Road 17 173
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Administration Offices 50117 17 Ra Range Ro Road 17 173 (S (Secon onda dary Hi Highwa way 854) 4) 780. 0.663. 3.2038
Box ox 32 322 Ry Ryley, y, AB T0B 0B 4A 4A0
Toll Fr Free 1. 1.855. 5.22 221. 1.2038
Administration offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and are closed from 12:00 to 1:00 pm.
Beaver County Chronicle, March 16, 2022 - 3
County rejects plan for gas company’s tax arrears Patricia Harcourt A natural gas company asking for a preferred payment plan for back owed property taxes from 2019-2021 had its request denied by county council March 2. Council reasoned that other companies had come to make arrangements with the county before the taxes were actually due. In several of these cases, payment arrangements were made and tax penalties were waived. Long Run Exploration Ltd. has outstanding taxes for 2019, 2020, and 2021, stated Assistant CAO Margaret Jones, in her report to council, for a total amount owing of $860,000. “The county has entered into tax agreements with other companies that owed taxes in amounts as great as, or greater than, the amount owed by Long Run,” she stated. However, she said there was a difference in that, “these companies were proactive in requesting tax payment agreements before penalties were incurred and only received relief from future penalties.”
Jones added that, for that reason, “caution should be exercised in setting aside precedent.” The company, in its request, stated that all future taxes would be paid on time, she said. But the company is “asking for a complete waiver of all past and future penalties.” Earlier, she explained that like many other resource based companies, Long Run “is starting to recover from the financial challenges it faced when the natural gas market was struggling,” and now wants to clear up the tax arrears. Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3) stated he has received a call from an irate ratepayer asking why there is better service for some over others. Hrabec said he wanted “all ratepayers to get the same type of service,” referring specifically to those companies that aren’t paying their lease holders. Councillor Dale Pederson (Division 5) agreed and his motion was passed to have the company make a lump sum payment for all property tax arrears and lease arrears with landowners. After that,
Stay and Play in Bruce
the county would be open to working out a budget for the new 2022 tax year. Councillor Barry Bruce (Division 4) said: “I totally agree this should happen,” adding companies have quit paying landowners for their leases “often long before.” “If they aren’t paying them we’re not in agreement to get an arrangement,” explained Interim CAO Rick McDonald. “It’s some kind of leverage.” Hrabec also agreed with the motion. “I think it’s important to note it is a double edged sword,” he
Priorities Continued from BCC1
capacity of county staff,” said McDonald’s report. McDonald added that, “The recent public participation survey played a key role in establishing the strategic priorities and the Summary Report identifies many items for council’s consideration,” recommending that the GPC pro-
said. “They are not paying these years so other taxpayers, including lease holders, have to make up for it. “Let’s all play in the sandbox… because every taxpayer still has to pay that tax burden,” he said, also noting that the county had to write off collecting some school taxes because of these non-payments of taxes. Reeve Kevin Smook (Division 1) called the key part of the motion where it states, “we are prepared to negotiate.” The motion carried. vide recommendations upon review for possible policy changes. “In addition, the county has a 2020-2030 Strategic plan that should now be reviewed in light of the recent priorities established by Council.” A motion by Councillor Lionel Williams (Division 2) to accept the recommendations was passed. “The stars aligned and it has come together very good,” said Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3).
Dust Control Spring Application Beaver County Council has reinstated the dust control subsidy program and residents will pay 50% of the product cost. To view the Beaver County dust control policy, letter and application forms please visit www.beaver.ab.ca/departments/ public-works/dust-control. The County reserves the right to maintain the sites in a manner suitable to the Public Works Department. Residents desiring spring applications of dust control on the County road adjacent to their property must apply by 11:59pm., April 15, 2022 to: Beaver County 5120-50 St Ryley, Alberta T0B 4A0 Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday Please note: 1. Applications post marked before or on April 15, 2022 will be accepted. 2. Applications may also be paid at the Beaver County Service Centre or over the phone using VISA or M/C, however applications must be submitted first.
Proposed Procedural Bylaw
Beaver County Council is considering amendments to its Procedural Bylaw. This Bylaw outlines the procedures for Council and Committee meetings, delegations, and public hearings. Go to www.beaver.ab.ca to view a copy of the proposed Bylaw.
4 - Beaver County Chronicle, March 16, 2022
Beaver County Service Centre 5120 - 50 Street Box 140 Ryley, Alberta T0B 4A0 Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Employment Opportunity
Phone: (780) 663-3730 Fax: (780) 663-3602 Toll Free: 1-866-663-1333 www.beaver.ab.ca Email: administration@beaver.ab.ca
Employment Opportunity
Request for Quotes
One New Lowboy Trailer RE: RFQ2022-03PW - Proposal for one New Lowboy Trailer Beaver County is requesting quotations for the purchase of one New Lowboy Trailer. Please find specifications for the unit @ https://www.beaver.ab.ca/residents/proposals-quotes
Invitation to Tender – Chip Seal Beaver County 2022 Graded Aggregate Seal Coat Tender No. TEN2022-06PW Issued: March 1, 2022 Submission Deadline: March 22, 2022 at 10:00:00 am local time https://www.beaver.ab.ca/residents/proposals-quotes
Request for Quotes - 2022 Cold Mix RFQ2022-04PW
Beaver County is seeking quotes for the following work: Supply and Haul of approximately 700 tonnes of Asphalt Stabilized Base Course (Cold Mix) to: Beaver County Transportation Shop in Ryley, Alberta https://www.beaver.ab.ca/residents/proposals-quotes