Dan Rausch

The council received a presentation from the Municipal Affairs Assessment Services branch regarding the designated industrial property assessment process in Alberta, including updates on property assessment models, timelines, and the levy applicable to large grid-connected data centers. Council members engaged in a question-and-answer session concerning the financial implications of data center developments and assessment benchmarks for municipal tax revenue.

This Economic Development Strategy for the Town of Olds outlines a plan to grow the economy, strengthen local businesses, and build a community where people choose to stay. The strategy focuses on seven key pillars: Investment Attraction, Support Local Businesses, Infrastructure & Resources, Housing, Attracting, Developing & Retaining Workers, Access to Financial Capital, and Innovation. The plan sets targets for growing the tax base, increasing new commercial space and housing units, promoting population growth, and achieving assessment balance, with the ultimate goal of protecting services, keeping taxes affordable, and fostering community retention.

The meeting featured a presentation from the Olds Healthcare Fundraising Committee regarding their strategic initiatives for 2026. The discussion centered on the committee's role in bridging gaps in healthcare funding through local donations, which support equipment purchases such as hospital beds, TVs, ceiling lifts, vein finders, emergency pendants, and carbon dioxide monitors. Additionally, the committee highlighted the impact of providing a bladder scanner and a treatment table for home and community care, which has improved patient outcomes and reduced unnecessary emergency department visits. Council members inquired about advocacy strategies and the committee's decision-making process for resource allocation.

The council reviewed the infrastructure services quarterly report, which highlighted significant progress in manhole inspections and the repair of water and wastewater leaks. Updates were provided on the e-permitting system launch, ongoing engineering standards updates, and the upcoming 57th Avenue infrastructure project, which incorporates design recommendations from the Highway 27 functional plan. The meeting also included a discussion on development permit approval timelines compared to other municipalities and an overview of winter maintenance efforts. Finally, the council discussed the town's water meter installation strategy and addressed the investigation of a buried storm manhole near the Circle K gas station.

The committee meeting commenced with the adoption of the agenda and the previous meeting minutes. The primary discussion centered on a presentation regarding a forthcoming transit feasibility study being conducted by Dylan Consulting. This study, funded by a rural transit solutions grant, aims to assess the existing Sunshine Bus service, identify gaps, and explore potential, sustainable transit improvement options for the growing community, which includes college students and seniors. The process involves community consultation through surveys and stakeholder interviews. Following this, there was a delegation from the Olds Humane Society, represented by the Director of Governance and the Director of Fundraising. They provided an update on their operations, noting they are currently functioning without a permanent shelter, and highlighted their successful fundraising efforts using craft caramels, seeking future collaboration with the town.