The County of Paintearth council met on April 3 for their regular meeting to discuss the 2023 reserve allocations and to consider several other council decisions.
A motion was passed by council for the allocation of Dec. 31, 2023 surplus funds to restricted reserves to support various functions and projects undertaken by the county. The purpose of such an action is to set aside funds for certain departments’ specific purposes sometime in the future.
The total transfer to reserves was $5,252,059 allocated as follows: $45,000 to admin building, $45,000 to admin equipment and furniture reserve, $30,000 to fire vehicle reserve, $10,000 to bylaw vehicle reserve, $500,000 to Public Works buildings reserve, $200,000 to Public Works road development reserve, $300,000 to Public Works machinery and equipment reserve, $300,000 to Public Works vehicle reserve, $50,000 to Brownfield Water reserve, $1,652,059 to water projects reserve, $25,000 to Ag Service Board (ASB) vehicles reserve, $20,000 to ASB machinery and equipment reserve, $15,000 to ASB buildings reserve, $45,000 to land development reserve, $15,000 to parks and recreation reserve and $2,000,000 to broadband capital reserve.
Assessment service extension
Councillors agreed the municipality will continue to do business with Accurate Assessment Group Ltd.
The County of Paintearth assessment services agreement that was to expire Dec. 31, 2024 was granted an extension amendment effective April 1 to Dec. 31, 2027.
It was expressed in a letter from Accurate Assessment Group Ltd. (AAG) that the company looks forward to continuing their relationship with the County of Paintearth.
Coronation District 4-H
Five hundred dollars was approved in response to a sponsorship request from Coronation District 4-H show and sale at Compeer on June 4 and 5.
Public Works Report
According to the department’s regular report to council, Public Works has been busy grading and hand brushing in Division 2.
Bylaw office report
During the regular community peace officer report it was noted work is expected to start on the Halkirk 2 pads next week which will continue to be monitored.
Community Bylaw Enforcement Officer Colm Fitzgerald provided councillors with an update on the fire hazard situation, which seems at a serious level.
As of this writing there are 50 wildfires in Alberta, and although there is no indication that the province is going to mandate a fire ban, Fitzgerald told councillors he’s watching the wildfire situation in Paintearth closely and, if conditions don’t improve, fire restrictions may be put in place in April and a fire ban could follow if conditions deteriorate.
“There is so much fuel out there right now,” said Fitzgerald to councillors.
If a ban goes into effect fire permit holders will be given a five day grace period to comply.
Cheryl Bowman
Multimedia reporter
ECA Review
