Here is a summary of the major decisions made in yesterday’s Council meeting. In addition to us at Voice of Thorhild County, 2 other members of the public were there to observe (other than those who were there for a delegation or the public hearing). I was told that there were also 18 residents who joined by Zoom which is awesome! This involvement is how we all become A Voice of Thorhild County (don’t forget to sign up as a volunteer!)
💰Following a discussion on skyrocketing inflation, the Mill Rate Bylaw 07-2023 received third reading. So the 1% increase for farmland, and 1% decrease for commercial will now be in force. There was no change for residential.
💰Regarding the ongoing issue following Doug Olchowy’s delegation about Opal road drainiage, Council approved a $12,500 cost analysis of the cost of re-profiling the ditch.
🏕️ The Public Hearing was on proposed Bylaw 08-2023 A Bylaw to Ammend Land Use Bylaw 1194-2015 to allow George’s Campground to continue operation as it has since 2003. Mrs Tocheniuk stated that many of their tenants have been returning year after year since they opened. Including people who grew up going there and are now coming back with their own families. There were no other speakers either for or against the bylaw. Hopefully they are able to have the LUB ammended so that George’s Campground is able to remain open for many years to come!
🛻 Following Brian Hetlinger’s delegation to waive the $500 lagoon fee, there was much discussion on viable options for lagoon access. Ultimately it was decided that Council direct Administration to bring back the Lagoon Fee Bylaw 01-2023 with a $50 key deposit for Thorhild County residents.
🚌 TEAMS representative Kristy Krause attended as a delegate to request that instead of selling the 24 passenger bus that is currently up for bid, that the County consider either donating it to TEAMS or working with them on a 3 year payment plan, as they are currently in the market for a new bus. Ultimately Council directed Administration to speak with TEAMS regarding the option to transfer of the bus to them on the condition that an arrangement be made between them and local senior’s groups.
🏡 A Public Auction Date was decided for Tuesday Aug 8, 2023 at 0900 to auction off 17 properties that are 2 or more years behind in paying their taxes. NOTE – I emailed CAO Maier following the meeting to find out when the list of said properties would be available, and he responded that they will be listed in the Alberta Gazette on June 14 and advertised locally at a later date.
Not every meeting item is in this post so…
Check out the meeting minutes here
Check out the meeting recording here
$12500 to pay a guy to tell you what you already know. Got it. Charge the taxpayers the money to do a job they already paid to have done and was never finished properly. Got it. We have to stop the bureaucracy. Before taxation we built our own roads. I know an excavator guy Who can just come dig out the ditch for Mr Olchowy. $165/Hr. We can do it at night. Problem solved.
When my grandpa was farming people would just help one another out, for supper and some Diesel fuel for the equipment. We need to get back to those days…