Neighbourhood Notes
December 2025
In this Issue Council Highlights Page 2 Council Contacts Page 6 & 7 BREWD REPORT Page 10 Christmas Tree Safety Page 11
Kneehill County Council 2025-2029
(Pictured left to right) Back row: Councillor Darcy Penner, Reeve Lonnie McCook, Councillor Jerry Wittstock, Councillor Merle Anderson. Front row: Councillor Lowell Olson, Councillor Laura Lee Machell-Cunningham, Deputy Reeve Richard Hoppins.
Organizational Meeting Highlights
Council Orientation
October 28, 2025: At the Organizational Meeting, Lonnie McCook was elected Reeve, and Richard Hoppins was elected Deputy Reeve. Council determined seating arrangements, approved meetings dates for 2026 Council Meetings, Committee of the Whole meetings, Municipal Planning Commission meetings, and Ag Service Board meetings. Council members were also appointed to various boards and committees. View an updated listing on our website www.kneehillcounty.com/2172/boards-andcommittees.
Over the next few Council and Committee of the Whole meetings, administration will be presenting overviews and information about their departments for Council orientation purposes. These materials and presentations are available on our website: kneehillcounty.com/2520/councilorientation, including: • Kneehill County Department Introductions • Kneehill County General Orientation 2025 • Strategic Steps Councillor Orientation • Strategic Steps PowerPoint • Financial Planning Presentation • Planning & Development Presentation • Enforcement Presentation • Environmental Services Overview
Road Committee November 12, 2025: Council approved the establishment of a Road Committee, with the Terms of Reference to be brought back for Council’s consideration, and directed administration to organize a Kneehill County road tour, including Kneehill County facilities.
Stay tuned! Coming up on Council’s agenda: • Land Use Bylaw review and engagement options • Budget 2026 deliberations, and more!
Missed a Council meeting? 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 links to the recorded discussion of the Council meeting.
2026 Council & Committee Meetings Council meetings take place every second and fourth Tuesday (except July, August & December). View the schedule below: • January 13 & 27 • February 10 & 24 • March 10 & 24 • April 14 & 28 • May 12 & 26 • June 9 & 23 • July 21 • August 25 • September 8 & 22 • October 13 & 27 (Regular & Organizational) • November 10 & 24 • December 8 Committee of the Whole meetings are the third Tuesday of every month, (with some exceptions). At these meetings, Council is presented information for discussion, but no Motions are officially made.
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View the Committee of the Whole schedule below: • February 17 • April 21 • May 19 • June 16 • September 15 • October 20 • November 17 • December 1 Kneehill County’s Agricultural Service Board meets the third Wednesday every other month. View the schedule below: • January 14 • March 11 • May 13 • July 15 • September 9 • November 18
The Municipal Planning Commission meets the last Thursday of every month for planning & development decisions. View the schedule below: • January 29 • February 26 • March 26 • April 23 • May 28 • June 25 • July 23 • August 27 • September 24 • October 22 • November 26 • December 17
Connect with us! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @kneehillcounty, and tune in to our YouTube channel to watch Council meetings live!
2026 Budget Timeline November 25, 2025 Setting the Stage and Proposed Projects • This step provided context on budget preparations and outlined proposed projects for consideration in the 2026 Budget. December 9, 2025 Interim Operating Budget • Interim budget approval to ensure operations can be maintained after December 31. January - February 2026 (Tentative) Core Operating Budget & Budget Discussions • Review of the proposed operating budget based on current service levels and Council-approved guidelines. • Address Council’s questions and receive guidance needed to balance the budget. Budget Adoption • Adoption of a balanced budget. Visit our website for more information, including financial reports and links to past deliberations: https://www.kneehillcounty.com/2519/2026-Budget
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 conversations with County staff, subject-matter experts, and special guests, offering clear, behind-the-scenes insights into the topics that matter most to our community. The podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts, making it easy to tune in from anywhere. Stay Connected! To make the podcast even more accessible, we’ve created a dedicated web page where you can: Listen to the latest episode • Find helpful links and more information • Submit your questions for future episodes. Have a topic or concern you’d like addressed? Let us know! Scan the QR code with your mobile device or visit the Kneehill Scoop webpage to start listening: https://kneehillcounty.com/2504/Kneehill-Scoop-Podcast
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Community Congratulations to the 2025 Community Grant Funding recipients! Over $35,000 in funding granted: • • • •
Trochu Valley Historical Society: $960 to create the Trochu & District History Book 3. Three Hills Minor Softball Association: $2,365 to purchase new ball equipment and jerseys. Huxley Community Association: $4,500 for their Curling Rink retaining wall project. Torrington/Wimborne Playschool Association: $4,100 for new flooring for the playschool room.
Kneehill County’s Community Profile has been updated! What Is a Community Profile and Why Does It Matter? A Community Profile is a snapshot of who we are as a community—our people, our economy, our amenities, and the qualities that make Kneehill County a unique place to live, work, and invest. It brings together key facts, trends, and local strengths in one easy-to-understand document.
Why We Created a Community Profile 1.
To Share Our Story Clearly A Community Profile helps residents, businesses, and visitors understand what makes our region special. It highlights our growing industries, our strong workforce, and the natural and community assets we are proud of.
2. To Support Local Decision-Making By gathering accurate, up-to-date information about population, employment, housing, and local services, the profile gives Council and County administration a solid foundation for planning future initiatives and setting priorities. 3. To Attract New Opportunities Businesses and investors often look for reliable data before deciding where to locate or expand. A Community Profile provides the information they need—showcasing our strengths, market potential, and the opportunities available here. This helps strengthen our long-term economy and create local jobs
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Wimborne Community Centre: $6,600 to build a new entrance structure. Kneehill Minor Volleyball Association: $1,200 to purchase volleyballs and uniforms. Trochu & District Ag Society: $6,100 for an outdoor arena footing replacement. Kneehill Housing Corporation: $600 towards a Hydrotherapy Program for Seniors. Three Hills Curling Club: $1,000 for new equipment for the Jr. Curling Program. Three Hills Good Health Club: $8,904.50 for an HVAC replacement. Hillside Lanes Bowling Society: $520.51 for a furnace motherboard.
4. To Build Transparency and Trust Making information accessible helps residents stay informed about how the County is growing and changing. It ensures we’re all working from the same set of facts when discussing community needs, challenges, and opportunities. 5.
To Celebrate Our Community The profile also shines a light on what residents already know: Kneehill County is a welcoming and resilient place with a strong sense of community. By sharing these strengths, we reinforce local pride and help promote our region to the outside world. Access Kneehill County’s Community Profile here: https://www.kneehillcounty.com/2355/Economic-ProfileCommunity-Data
Winter Water Meter Care As the frosty chill of winter settles in, Kneehill County’s Utility Department wants to remind all water system users about the importance of safeguarding their water meter equipment.
Here are some tips: • Make sure your water meter is installed in a frost-free location. • Check that any protective measures in place, such as heat tape, insulation tape, or other insulation methods, are in good working condition. • Ensure that these protective measures are connected to a safe and reliable power source to maintain their effectiveness. For more winter water tips and information, please call Kneehill County 403-443-5541.
User Responsibility The responsibility for the care and protection of water meters rests with the users. In the unfortunate event of a water meter freezing, the associated replacement cost will be borne by the customer. Prevent Freezing Take proactive measures to ensure your water meter is shielded from freezing temperatures.
Space Heater Safety
When the weather turns cold, it can bring a chill into our homes. Portable space heaters have become a popular way to supplement central heating or heat one room. If you plan to use portable electric space heaters, make sure to follow these tips and recommendations:
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Heater Checklist • Purchase a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory. • Keep the heater at least 3 feet (1 metre) away from anything that can burn, including people. • Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
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Place the heater on a solid, flat surface. Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over. Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic. Never block an exit. Keep children away from the space heater. Plug the heater directly into the wall outlet. Never use an extension cord. Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to bed. Source: National Fire Prevention Association
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Meet Your New Council! Division 1
Division 2
Councillor Merle Anderson Phone: 403-820-0092 Email: merle.anderson@kneehillcounty.com
Councillor Darcy Penner Phone: 403-815-2349 Email: darcy.penner@kneehillcounty.com
Boards & Committees • Committee of the Whole • Ag Service Board • Kneehill Housing Corporation • Marigold Library System • Municipal Planning Commission • Police Advisory Committee (Alt) • Community Futures Wildrose (Alt) • Red Deer River Municipal Users Group (Alt)
Division 5 Councillor Laura Lee Machell-Cunningham Phone: 403-443-0752 Email: lauralee.machell-cunningham @kneehillcounty.com
Boards & Committees • Committee of the Whole • Community Futures Wildrose • Kneehill Regional FCSS • Municipal Planning Commission • Kneehill Regional Partnership Steering Committee (Alt) • Trochu Housing (Alt)
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Boards & Committees • Committee of the Whole • Kneehill Medical Services Retention & Recruitment Committee • Kneehill Housing Corporation • Municipal Planning Commission • Ag Service Board (Alt) • Aqua 7 (Alt) • Drumheller & District Solid Waste (Alt)
Division 6 Deputy Reeve Richard Hoppins Phone: 403-588-8733 Email: richard.hoppins@kneehillcounty.com Boards and Committees • Committee of the Whole (C) • Kneehill Emergency Management Advisory • Police Advisory • Kneehill Regional Partnership Steering Committee • Municipal Planning Commission • Central Alberta Economic Partnership (Alt) • Central Rural Municipalities of Alberta (Alt) • Kneehill Regional FCSS (Alt) • Trochu Housing
Division 3
Division 4
Councillor Jerry Wittstock Phone: 403-312-6196 Email: jerry.wittstock@kneehillcounty.com
Councillor Lowell Olson Phone: 403-443-0680 Email: lowell.olson@kneehillcounty.com
Boards & Committees • Committee of the Whole • Ag Service Board (C) • Aqua 7 • Drumheller & District Solid Waste • Municipal Planning Commission (C) • Red Deer River Municipal Users Group • Kneehill Medical Services Recruitment & Retention (Alt)
Boards & Committees • Committee of the Whole • Ag Service Board • Central Alberta Economic Partnership • Municipal Planning Commission (VC) • Kneehill Housing Corporation (Alt)
Kneehill County Divisional Map
Division 7 Reeve Lonnie McCook Phone: 403-304-4348 Email: lonnie.mccook@kneehillcounty.com
Boards and Committees • Committee of the Whole (Alt) • Kneehill Emergency Management Advisory • Central Rural Municipalities of Alberta • Municipal Planning Commission • Marigold Library System (Alt) • All Intermunicipal Development and Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Committees
(C)- Chair (VC)- Vice Chair (Alt)- Alternate Board and Committee appointments are determined annually at the Organizational Meeting. View a full listing of Council’s current Board and Committee appointments at kneehillcounty.com/2172/boards-and-committees
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BREWD: WHAT WE HEARD In February 2025, Kneehill County launched its first Business Retention and Expansion survey to our local farms and businesses! Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) is especially valuable for our community because it focuses on supporting the businesses that are already invested in the region—helping them stay competitive, grow, and create local jobs. By listening to business needs, addressing barriers, and strengthening relationships, BR&E encourages stability in our key sectors, attracts new opportunities through a reputation of support, and builds a resilient local economy. This approach ensures that farms, agri-businesses, small businesses and service providers have the resources they need to thrive, contributing to long-term community vitality. We received responses from 96 businesses and this report highlights what we heard and the action we are taking to address their concerns. We can’t do this alone, which is why are partnering with the Central Alberta region municipalities of Olds, Innisfail, Red Deer County, Red Deer, Penhold and several partners to bring forward initiatives in 2026 such as: • Tariff Support – helping businesses navigate the challenges of recent tariff announcements • Trade Accelerator Program – helping businesses access new markets • AI Workshop – for businesses to explore how to implement practices in their own operations • Succession Planning - to help support long-term sustainability and keep our rural community vibrant and resilient • Housing & Service Needs Assessment – to assess housing insecurity and service gaps • Supply Chain Competitiveness Development Program help supply chain gaps and challenges • Workforce Data & Industry Analysis - guide development of skills gap analysis targeting workforce dynamics • Regional Business Resource Centers – offer financial literacy training and advisory services • And many more to come! This BREWD program will span over the next three years to effectively execute these projects and others stemmed from the data. Check out the “What We Heard” summary report on our website! https://kneehillcounty.com/2412/14084/ Business-Retention-and-Expansion
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Introducing: Kneehill County’s New Data Portal! Whether you are starting a new business or just want to learn more about Kneehill County’s people, businesses, workforce and transportation hubs, the data portal is now quickly available at your fingertips. The information is vital for our businesses and investors seeking to establish roots in Kneehill as it allows them to understand: • Demographics such as age, gender, education, income levels, commuter data • Workforce and occupation types • The types and number of businesses • Transportation routes to get their products to market • Employment rates • Dwellings • Major projects • And so much more! You can access some of the preliminary information by visiting our Doing Business page! The data is sourced through Statistics Canada, Provincial, Regional and Municipal open data, CMHC, Spacelist, Telus, Moneris, building permits and business licenses.
KRFCSS COMING EVENTS!
AG SERVICES Thank you for your service!
Our sincere appreciation to Heather Berreth, outgoing Member-at-Large on the Agricultural Service Board, for her dedicated service from 2022 to 2025.
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CHRISTMAS TREE SAFETY • • •
Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights. Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit. Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.
Lighting the Tree • Use lights that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory. Evan Gorr Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use. • Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect. • Never use lit candles to decorate the tree. • Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed
As you deck the halls this holiday season, be fire smart. A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can grow large very quickly. Picking the Tree • Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched. Placing the Tree • Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2” from the base of the trunk.
After Christmas • Get rid of the tree after Christmas or when it is dry. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home. • Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the Holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer. Facts • Almost one third of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems. • Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious. • A heat source too close to the tree causes more than one in every five fires. Source: National Fire Prevention Association
Hamlet Residents: Please note, burning barrels are not permitted in Kneehill County hamlets!
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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