Reeve’s Message
Summer is coming, and with it comes a flurry of activity across Kneehill County. Our crews are out grading roads, mowing, and keeping our hamlets and infrastructure in top shape. We’re excited to welcome our summer students back— these young people bring energy and enthusiasm to the County, and we’re grateful for the valuable work they do each year.
As the temperatures rise, so does the risk of wildfire. Sign up to be notified of Fire Ban status changes, or check our website or www.albertafirebans.ca regularly for current fire restrictions in our region, and do your part to keep our community safe.
Looking ahead, a municipal election is on the horizon this fall. It’s an important opportunity to shape the future of our County, and I encourage everyone to get informed, get involved, and vote. There’s a few changes to voter registration this year, see page 8 for more information.
Don’t forget—our annual Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up is happening Saturday, May 24 at the County Shop Yard. This is a great opportunity to safely dispose of old paint, cleaners, and other unwanted chemicals. If you miss the round-up, Kneehill County does accept some hazardous materials, like paint, at our transfer sites year-round. Visit our website for more.
We also hope to see you at our upcoming Ratepayer Evenings—June 12 in Huxley, and June 19 at Horseshoe Canyon. The events provide a chance to connect with Council, ask questions, and hear more about what’s happening in your municipality.
If you haven’t yet, make sure to check out the Kneehill Scoop podcast! We’re diving into the stories behind County projects and services, with new episodes dropping monthly.
Wishing you a safe and sunny summer. Reeve Kenneth King
Municipal Development Plan: 3rd Reading
March 11, 2025: After extensive deliberations and robust public engagement--including 18 working group sessions, four public consultations, a public hearing, and discussions with neighbouring municipalities--Council gave third reading to pass Municipal Development Plan Bylaw 1905, as amended.
Ratepayer Evenings 2025
March 25, 2025: Council approved hosting Ratepayer Evenings in Huxley and Horseshoe Canyon in 2025.
Missed a Council meeting?
Community Grants 2025: Round 1
March 25, 2025: Council approved Community Grant Applications totaling $7,825.00 to the following Non-Profit Organizations:
• Trochu Historical Society- $960.00 to create the Trochu & District History Book #3
• Three Hills Minor Softball Association- $2,365.00 to purchase new ball equipment and jerseys
• Huxley Community Association- $4,500.00 for a curling rink retaining wall project.
Delegation Hesketh Hall
April 8, 2025: Council approved the request from Hesketh Community Hall Association for funding through the Rural Community Hall Capital Grant, awarding $7,369.00 for the purchase of new tables and chairs for the hall.
Trochu & District Ag Society Request
April 8, 2025: Council provided a $500.00 sponsorship to the Trochu and District Agricultural Society to assist in the costs associated with hosting the 2025 Rope, Ride & Race Summer Event, with funds to come from the Community Enrichment Support Program.
Council highlights are posted on Kneehill County’s website and social media following each Council meeting. These highlights give a broad overview of Council decisions, include links to more information and the corresponding YouTube video.
Council Contacts
Division 7
Reeve Kenneth King
Phone: 403-443-0285
Email: kenneth.king@kneehillcounty.com
Division 1
Deputy Reeve Faye McGhee
Phone: 403-436-1611
Email: faye.mcghee@kneehillcounty.com
Division 2
Councillor Debbie Penner
Phone: 403-818-3108
Email: debbie.penner@kneehillcounty.com
Division 3
Councillor Jerry Wittstock
Phone: 403-312-6196
Email: jerry.wittstock@kneehillcounty.com
Division 4
Councillor Carrie Fobes
Phone:403-588-4624
Email: carrie.fobes@kneehillcounty.com
Division 5
Councillor Laura-Lee Machell-Cunningham
Phone: 403-443-0752
Email: lauralee.machell-cunningham @kneehillcounty.com
Division 6
Councillor Wade Christie
Phone: 403-588-1992
Email: wade.christie@kneehillcounty.com
Connect with us!
UPCOMING: Council Meetings
• May 13 & 27
• June 10 & 24
• July 22
• August 26
Committee of the Whole Meetings
• May 20
• June 17
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @kneehillcounty, and tune in to our YouTube channel to watch Council meetings live!
Rural Municipalities of Alberta Convention
At the Spring RMA Convention in Edmonton, Kneehill County was well represented. Deputy Reeve McGhee was recognized for completing all seven core courses required to earn her Municipal Elected Leadership Certificate— congratulations! Meanwhile, CAO Mike Haugen addressed the convention attendees on behalf of the Alberta Rural Municipal Administrators’ Association (ARMAA), speaking about the organization’s purpose and ongoing initiatives.
KNEEHILL SCOOP PODCAST
Kneehill Scoop is Kneehill County’s official podcast, designed to keep residents informed about County projects, services, and initiatives—straight from the source. Each episode features interviews with County leaders, staff, and special guests, diving into the topics that matter most to our community.
• Episode 1: A Conversation with the Reeve
• Episode 2: Ride-along with the Peace Officers
• Episode 3: The Dirt on Rural Roads
• Episode 4: Don’t Panic--Prepare!
More Than Just a Podcast—Stay Connected!
To make the podcast even more accessible, we’ve created a dedicated web page where you can:
• Listen to each episode
• Find current links & resources related to the most recent discussion
• Submit your questions for future episodes—have a topic or concern you’d like addressed? Let us know!
Tune in today and stay informed with Kneehill Scoop!
Drinking Water- Taste, Odour and Appearance
The taste, odour and appearance of your drinking water may vary at different times of the year due to events such as spring runoff. A change in the appearance of your drinking water does not mean it is unsafe to drink.
Below, find answers to common drinking water questions about taste, odour and appearance.
Why does my water smell musty or have an unusual odour? If the musty odour occurs only at one faucet, the odour is most likely related to something at or near the faucet. Try cleaning the drain, this often removes the odours.
Please note unusual tastes or odours are aesthetic in nature and do not pose a health risk.
The source water can experience elevated levels of geosmin, a harmless, naturally occurring compound, in the water in the late summer and early fall. This can produce a temporary, earthy or musty change to the taste and odour of your water, but it remains safe to drink and continues to meet all guidelines set by provincial and federal health standards.
Geosmin is harmless and does not require further treatment from a health standpoint, but the human nose is extremely sensitive to geosmin, which can be detected by some people at very low levels (as low as 5 parts per trillion). If you’re sensitive to the changes, we recommend keeping a pitcher of water with lemon slices in the fridge or using an activated charcoal filter (e.g. Brita filter) that will help absorb the geosmin, which affects the smell and taste.
Any differences in taste and odour will generally diminish into the fall as concentration levels of geosmin decrease in the source waters.
What should I do if my water tastes stale?
Drinking water may taste stale if faucets have not been used recently. Running the cold water tap briefly will allow fresh water from the water main to your tap.
My water has a milky or cloudy appearance. Should I be concerned?
Air bubbles in water may cause a milky or cloudy appearance, especially in cold water. These bubbles pose no health risk. Cloudiness appears more often in the winter, when the water is cold. Allowing water to sit will let the air dissipate and the water will clear.
Why does my water have a yellow or rusty colour?
Watermain repairs, construction and other work in your area can cause some rust and sediment, which normally stick to the inside of the water main, to break away. Fire hydrant flushing can also cause this inconvenience.
The discoloured water is safe to drink but may not be aesthetically pleasing. If this happens, try running your bathtub tap on cold for 30 minutes until water clears and then run other cold water taps for five minutes or until clear.
Legacy manganese also appears to be an issue within the Aqua 7 distribution system which brings water to the majority of the residents within Kneehill County. Issues with discoloured water due to legacy manganese can be caused by several factors such as: physical disturbances, hydraulic disturbances, and changes in water chemistry.
There are several factors that determine the longevity of a water discolouration event due to legacy manganese. Some factors include: the length of pipeline, the time it takes for water to flow through the pipelines, demand on the system and the severity of the event. The rural water distribution system is not engineered to provide the required velocity to be able to flush waterlines, however, water is turned over at a controlled rate to help speed up the recovery of such an event.
Should I be concerned if my water has a chlorine taste or smell?
Chlorine is added to disinfect your water and keep it free from harmful microorganisms. Some conditions, such as spring runoff, affect the quality of the water supply. During these times, water treatment is adjusted, which may include increasing the level of disinfectant, to ensure that your drinking water remains safe.
If you notice an increase in the taste and smell of chlorine in your drinking water, try filling a container of water and keep it in the fridge for drinking. Much of the chlorine will dissipate from the water overnight.
Kneehill County’s utility crews perform regular hydrant flushing, which may cause temporary water discoulouration.
Tax Rate Bylaw 2025
On April 22, 2025, Kneehill County Council passed the 2025 Tax Rate Bylaw, choosing a strategy that minimizes the impact on residents while maintaining budgeted revenues and complying with provincial legislation.
To help reduce the effect of rising costs on ratepayers, Council approved a draw of $277,650 from the Revenue Stabilization Reserve and reduced residential and non-residential mill rates in response to inflationary assessment shifts, allowing the County to uphold its $27.71 million tax revenue goal without exceeding the legislated ratio of 5:1-- a requirement of Alberta’s Municipal Government Act, which ensures non-residential properties are not taxed at more than five times the rate of residential properties.
Even with these mitigation efforts, a property tax increase is anticipated in 2025, driven by higher property assessments. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the provincial education requisition—a charge set by the Government of Alberta and collected by Kneehill County on the province’s behalf. The County has no authority to adjust or absorb these requisition amounts.
“We’re doing everything we can to keep taxes manageable for residents while continuing to deliver essential services,” said Kneehill County’s Reeve, Kenneth King. “This year, rising assessments and uncontrollable requisitions made that balance especially difficult. This strategy represents a fair and responsible solution.”
The following are estimated municipal tax impacts under the approved bylaw:
• An average acreage assessed at $428,000 (up from $380,000 in 2024) will see an increase of approximately $99.
• A hamlet home assessed at $178,000 (up from $160,000) will increase by about $36.
• An average farm quarter section will see a $23 increase, with no change to assessment value.
• A non-residential property assessed at $102,000 (up from $100,000) will see a $24 decrease in municipal taxes under this scenario.
While municipal taxes remain relatively stable, increases to the provincial education and Kneehill Housing requisitions will appear on 2025 tax notices. These components are outside of Kneehill County’s control, and Council is required by law to collect and remit these funds.
Residents will receive a detailed tax insert along with their 2025 property tax notice explaining the breakdown between municipal taxes and provincial requisitions.
Economic Development for Elected Officials and Senior Leadership
The Kneehill Regional Partnership attended the Economic Development for Elected Officials and Senior Leadership workshop on April 25, facilitated by Natalie Gibson with the Economic Developers Association of Alberta. Leaders were provided with theory, fundamental economic development applications, and examples of best practices.
Representatives from Kneehill County, Acme, Linden, Trochu, and Carbon attended the session.
Kneehill County Secures Grant from the Alberta Government’s Northern Region Economic Development (NRED) and Small Community Opportunities Grant (SCOP).
Two noteworthy economic development projects are being funded by financial contributions from the Alberta Government through the Northern and Regional Economic Development (NRED) program and the Small Community Opportunity Program (SCOP).
NRED is committing nearly $10 million to 81 projects throughout northern and regional communities in Alberta, marking the largest single-year investment to date. These grants will lead to increased support, job creation, and local growth. Kneehill County has been granted $85,700 for the Area Structure Plan at Horseshoe Canyon, a project valued at $160,000 which aligns with both the Horseshoe Canyon Master Plan and Economic Development Plan.
SCOP offers grants aimed at tackling challenges and uncovering opportunities in rural regions. Kneehill County’s economic development department proposed a marketing initiative focused on developing sector profiles, conducting competitive land analysis, creating a website, establishing branding, visioning, and constructing a data portal. These projects aim to position the County for attracting and expanding investment. SCOP is contributing $90,000 towards a total project cost of $120,000!
The total funding received is $175,700, showcasing strong support from the Province and local partners to foster growth in Kneehill County!
Economic Development collaborated with the Kneehill regional communities to refresh and update the Recreation Directory! Scan the QR code above to view, or visit our ‘Things to Do’ web page at kneehillcounty.com.
Printed copies of the directory will also be available at each municipal office!
Thinking of Running for Council in the 2025 Municipal Election?
Important Dates:
• Nomination Period: January 2, 2025, to noon on September 22, 2025
• Election Day: Monday, October 20, 2025
• Organizational Meeting: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to run for Council, you must meet the following criteria:
• Be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old on Nomination Day.
• Have resided in your local jurisdiction (Division) for six (6) consecutive months immediately preceding Nomination Day.
• Not be disqualified or otherwise ineligible under any other circumstances.
You are NOT eligible to become a candidate if any of the following apply:
• You are the auditor of the municipality.
• You are an employee of the local jurisdiction, unless you are granted a leave of absence.
• You are employed by the Office of the Ombudsman, unless granted a leave of absence.
• Your property taxes are more than $50 in arrears, or you are in default for more than 90 days on any other debt exceeding $500 to Kneehill County.
• You have been convicted within the past 10 years under the Local Authorities Election Act , Elections Act, Canada Elections Act, or the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act.
• “New” Intent to Run: Candidates planning to run in the 2025 Election can only accept campaign contributions and incur campaign expenses after filing an Intent to Run form with the Returning Officer. Prospective candidates may submit their notice of intent at any time up to Nomination Day, September 22, 2025.
Nomination Forms
Nomination forms are available:
• Online at www. kneehillcounty.com/ election
• At the Kneehill County Office
• By calling the Returning Officer at 403-443-5541
Nomination forms must be:
• Accompanied by a $100 deposit.
• Completed on the prescribed form.
• Signed by 5 eligible electors.
• Signed by the candidate in the presence of the Returning Officer or a Commissioner of Oaths.
Important Note:
• Schedule an Appointment: Prospective candidates are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the Returning Officer before submitting their nomination to ensure availability.
• Candidate Register: A public register of candidates who have submitted their Nomination forms or Intent to Run forms will be available on our website.
For more information, contact the Returning Officer at:
• Email: elections@kneehillcounty.com
• Phone: 403-443-5541
KRFCSS UPCOMING EVENTS!
Men, Kids & Mayhem
June 3 in Linden or June 5 in Trochu, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Men & children 5-9 years old
Come out for FREE fun-filled activities and food!
Families Connect Through Art Workshops
First Friday of every month, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm (KRFCSS Office, Three Hills) Grades 1 – 6
Parents and their children are invited to participate in art activities side by side to creatively express themselves, gain self-awareness and open the door to communication with family members. No artistic skills needed! New theme each month.
Fountain of Health
June 4, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (KRFCSS Office, Three Hills)
This three hour session explores the THRIVE approach to wellbeing, which is six evidence based, high impact actions you can take to promote wellbeing, age optimally, and thrive!
Art Summer Camp
Carbon: July 14 - 18
Trochu: July 21 - 25
Linden: July 28 - August 1
Three Hills: August 11 - 15
Acme: Dates to be determined
Grades 1-3, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Grades 4-6, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Come play fun games and create awesome art projects! RSVP by June 30 for July camps, Aug 1 for August camps
Rainbows Summer Camp
July 7 - 11, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm (KRFCSS Office, Three Hills) Grades 3 - 6
A week long activity based peer support group for kids experiencing grief and loss. Register by June 27
Junior Rainbows Summer Camp
July 14 - 18, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm (KRFCSS Office, Three Hills) Grades 1 & 2
A week long activity based peer support group for kids experiencing grief and loss.
Register by June 27
To learn more about these programs and to register, contact 403-443-3800, angie@krfcss.com or visit www.krfcss.com
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEK
Be Prepared. Know your Risks.
Natural hazards may be beyond our control, but there are ways to reduce the risk and the impact of whatever emergency we might face.
Emergency Preparedness Week (May 4-10, 2025) encourages people in Canada to take concrete actions to be better prepared to protect themselves and their household during emergencies. This special week is a national effort lead by Public Safety Canada, provincial and territorial emergency management organizations, Indigenous organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.
By taking a few simple steps, you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencies – anytime, anywhere. It is important to:
• Know the risks – Although the consequences of disasters can be similar, knowing the risks specific to our community and our region can help you better prepare
• Make a plan – It will help you and your family know what to do
• Get an emergency kit – During an emergency, we will all need some basic supplies. We may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours in an emergency
Visit www.getprepared.ca, or Kneehill County’s website, for more resources to help you and your family prepare for all types of emergencies.
Experience has shown that individual preparedness goes a long way to help people cope better – both during and after a major disaster. Get an emergency kit now – it can make a world of difference.
Hamlet Residents: Please note, burning barrels are not permitted in Kneehill County hamlets!
Please be advised: as of January 1, 2025, use of the Torrington Landfill is restricted to Kneehill County ratepayers and residents only. (You must live or own land in the County, outside of towns and villages.) Call the office for more information: 403-443-5541.
Box 400
Three Hills, AB
T0M 2A0
