Birch Hills County

This Municipal Accountability Program Report assesses Birch Hills County's compliance with municipal legislation and provides recommendations for improvement. Key focus areas for legislative compliance include procedural bylaws, public participation policies, electronic meeting protocols, declarations of pecuniary and conflicts of interest, comprehensive three-year operating and five-year capital plans, auditor reporting standards, and proper authorization for borrowing bylaws. The report aims to support the municipality in achieving full legislative compliance, enhancing good governance, and promoting accountability and transparency.

The agenda for the Regular Council Meeting included adoption of the agenda and minutes from the June 11, 2020 meeting. Key discussion items involved Councillor Reports, the Chief Administrative Officer's Report, and unfinished business such as the appointment to the Recreation Board for Ward 2 and a request for reduction of a Fire Services invoice for Mrs. Rose Sorgen. New business covered items in Administration, including an application for a Community Enhancement Grant for Eaglesham, and Public Works matters such as the purchase of a wash bay pressure washer and culvert purchase, as well as updates on road conditions. The meeting also included items for information, such as progress reports from the Water North Coalition and correspondence regarding the Gas Tax Fund and STARS donation.

The agenda for the Regular Council Meeting included the adoption of the agenda and minutes from previous meetings, public hearings for Bylaw 2021-07 and Bylaw 2021-08 concerning Land Use Bylaw (LUB) amendments, Councillor reports, and the Chief Administrative Officer's report. Business arising from the minutes involved the 2022-2025 Draft Strategic Plan. New business covered administration items such as Bank Reconciliation and a State of Agriculture update. The meeting also included several items for information, covering various correspondence and reports, and concluded with discussions in a closed session regarding unpaid oil and gas taxes, the CAO Annual Review (deferred to the next meeting), and updates to the Birch Hills County Personal Handbook.

The agenda for the upcoming meeting included the adoption of the agenda and the minutes from the April 25, 2019 Regular Council Meeting. Key discussions anticipated were Councillor Reports, the CAO Report including the Action Log, and New Business items such as 2018 Recreation Grants, Community Enhancement Grant Application for Peoria, the Draft Land Use Bylaw, a request for additional Library funding, and Road Maintenance. Unfinished Business involved 'Unauthorized Work on County Infrastructure.' The meeting materials also detailed administrative updates concerning grant programs, assessment and tax notices, budget approval, and updates on the Enterprise Fleet Management agreement and Asset Management Planning. Furthermore, the document contained reports from the Director of Public Works, Director of Agriculture, and the Fire Service Board detailing recent activities, training, and incident responses.

The agenda for the Special Council Meeting included the swearing in of Councillor Mel Duvall for Ward 5, which involved administering the Oath of Office. Other primary business items for discussion included the Dispatch Services Agreement, ATB Investment Policy Statements, a Request for Letter of Support for Saddle Hills County, the 2018 Peace Region ASB Conference, and a Municipal Library Board resignation. Information items included the Bank Reconciliation for September 30, 2018, and Website Statistics. Correspondence reviewed covered Minister of Municipal Affairs announcements regarding 2018 MSI and GTF Allocations, acceptance of an amended 2017 Gravel Haul Project, a letter regarding Genetically Modified Alfalfa concerns, and a call for nominations for Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Library Service.