Steve Debienne

The meeting, which included Committee of the Whole discussions, addressed several critical items. Key topics included the High Country Drive intersection, where the council is moving away from a costly $365,000 design involving stormwater drain relocation and instead considering two options for February 9th: a two-way road with flashing amber push button lights or a four-way stop without flashers, though bumpouts will remain. Another major discussion centered on the wastewater treatment facility upgrade, necessitated by decreased phosphorus tolerance levels from Alberta Environment. The council is currently exploring partnership options with Foothills County to build a joint facility to mitigate individual capital costs estimated up to $40 million, pending completion of feasibility and Highwood River studies. A development permit variance request for a minor side setback was approved. Additionally, administration was directed to formulate an RFP for contracting out residential curbside garbage pickup, and future discussions were scheduled regarding renegotiating agreements for outdoor court use with the pickleball and tennis clubs. The council also addressed requests for a flashing light system at the intersection of Third Avenue near Center Riley School and plans to upgrade existing sports fields to 'A-level' playing status, scheduling further meetings with user groups to discuss additional needs.

The Committee of the Whole meeting primarily focused on the Northeast Area Structure Plan (ASP), specifically discussing the proposed alignment of a new road, which involved feedback from consultants and landowners, as well as the cost-sharing contributions for the ASP. Topics also covered the need for potential municipal bylaws regarding overly bright or flashing residential exterior lighting, and clarification signage for town-owned land usage in the Beachwood Mercer Hughes area. Concerns were raised regarding traffic flow at the 12th and Fifth intersection and snow clearing effectiveness at a downtown intersection. The regular council meeting addressed the council procedure bylaw, notably moving the public comment section to the front of the meeting with strict guidelines limiting comments to agenda items only, and the adoption of the council disclosure summary report detailing elected officials' interests. Furthermore, the council agreed to make the town a member of the High River Chamber of Commerce, and updates were provided on Frank Lake's water usage for irrigation. Correspondence discussed the rationale for maintaining current meeting times in the afternoon rather than transitioning to evenings.

The meeting, designated as day two of budget deliberations, primarily focused on explaining the new, sophisticated, and potentially complex General Ledger (GL) structure, which separates cost centers (where the cost belongs) from GL codes (what the cost is). This new two-dimensional structure is significantly more efficient than the previous single-dimension code system, allowing for better tracking of costs and future reporting flexibility, especially concerning utility rates. The discussion also included a recap of day one's general overview of budget processes and challenges, and an in-camera session concerning compensation. The meeting then proceeded to walk through the 2026 operating budget using the new structure, presenting data segmented by general services, municipal services, and community services, including trends and forecasts up to 2030. The presentation covered how cost centers are associated with segments (e.g., vandalism, roads, sanding rolling up into public works) and the associated controls and reconciliation processes planned for the new accounting system.

The meeting initiated day three of budget deliberations, focusing primarily on project discussions and special funding requests. The agenda included a review of special funding requests for Library services (including operating funding and fee for service adjustments), Handy Bus additional operating funding, and Gift of Music programming support. Discussions surrounding library funding involved clarification on increased staffing needs to support the director, long-term strategic direction outlined in a business case, and the rationale for a one-time consulting fee to conduct a community needs assessment to inform future service levels and potential cost recoveries or retractions.

The key discussion centered on budget deliberations, specifically addressing employee compensation, which involved the release of previously confidential information regarding increases totaling $390,000, including a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) amount of $269,000. The committee reviewed updates to the capital project list, noting council recommendations to move forward with 21 projects while deferring eight, resulting in a reduction of $2.1 million in costs. Discussions covered funding plans for the capital projects, emphasizing a grant-heavy option to protect reserve balances, with $413,000 remaining to be funded by tax dollars. Furthermore, the impact of these decisions on the tax rate was analyzed, showing an estimated increase from 1.5% to 3% based on operating budget changes, escalating to an estimated 5.4% with the inclusion of tax-supported capital projects. The allocation of debt repayment funds ($466,000) towards Capital Infrastructure Reserve Fund (CIRF) contributions was also a topic.