The Village of Big Valley council granted two FCSS funding requests while tabling a third to a future meeting.
The decisions were made at the Dec. 16 regular meeting of council.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Colleen Mayne provided councillors with updated requests from three organizations seeking FCSS funds: the community centre, the street dance volunteers and the historical society.
Mayne noted the community centre’s previous application for $2,000 needed a bit more clarification; she stated the organization reviewed FCSS funding guidelines and provided more information.
The organization was requesting FCSS funds to provide wifi internet service at their facility.
The internet service was described as a service to the community by allowing residents to connect better at the centre while also improving the centre’s ability to provide training and learning courses. Mayne stated the community centre’s request appeared to meet FCSS guidelines.
Readers should note FCSS funds are granted on an 80/20 basis: 80 per cent provincial funds, 20 per cent local with local councils holding authority to award the funds while also adhering to Government of Alberta rules.
If a request is granted that doesn’t meet FCSS guidelines, the province won’t fund their part and 100 per cent falls on the local taxpayer.
Coun. Dan Houle acknowledged internet’s importance, observing the Government of Quebec ensures every Quebecer has access to high-speed internet.
Houle asked if the community centre was going to provide an outcome report for their funds, if granted.
The CAO responded groups receiving FCSS funds are supposed to provide an outcome report on how the money was used but added that it’s not always easy to get groups to submit such reports.
Houle noted outcome reports would be useful for future councils because they would know how FCSS funds were granted and how successful those programs were.
Councillors unanimously approved $2,000 for the community centre.
Street dance volunteers
The second request came from the Big Valley street dance volunteers, an event held every summer akin to a live music festival, who requested $4,000. The CAO noted the 2024 event already occurred so the request was actually for next summer’s event.
Mayne stated street dance volunteers provided more information on the event, describing it as an event that connects and engages the community that also encourages social interaction for all ages.
During discussion it was noted the group was believed to have applied for funds before.
Coun. Tim Field stated the expanded application looked to be well-written.
Houle added that a $4,000 might be too large a chunk of Big Valley’s annual $12,000 FCSS budget, and noted he preferred to spread the funding around to as many groups as possible.
Councillors unanimously agreed to grant $2,500 in FCSS funds to the street dance event.
Historical society
Lastly, councillors reviewed an FCSS application from the historical society which sought $2,500 for interpretive signs that would be placed around Big Valley and offer details of the village’s history for tourists and other visitors.
Mayne noted that it seemed this request was only for signage and didn’t involve tours and didn’t involve engaging with anyone.
The CAO noted this request was sent back to the society for more detail as councillors were unsure this request met FCSS guidelines.
Mayne stated she felt FCSS staff in Edmonton wouldn’t grant this request. “They would say no,” said Mayne.
Coun. Houle stated he had a family member who worked for the historical society and observed that the museum conducts tours all the time.
Councillors decided to table this request and seek more information from the historical society.
Councillors also unanimously passed a resolution asking all Big Valley groups that receive FCSS funds to provide an outcome report on how the funds were used and how their projects benefitted Big Valley.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
