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County council writes off certain Botha accounts

Council hears public library saw 60,000 pass through doors this year
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By Stu Salkeld The Stettler Independent

Stettler County wrote off some debt related to Botha at the regular meeting of council Dec. 13. All councilors were present. CAO Tim Fox was absent, and his position was handled by assistant CAO Yvette Cassidy.

Botha debt

Staff member Shauna Benson presented the issue to council with a memo from Christa Cornelssen, Director of Finance.

“The Village of Botha has had these doubtful accounts on their books for over a year,” noted Cornelssen. “We currently have on our records accounts receivable balances from prior years. They consist of four customers and total $1,554.” The debts and credits are related to utility bills.

Benson said there were two debits and two credits involved. None of the people could be located. “We don’t believe we can collect this debt,” she said. Councilors unanimously agreed to write-off the amounts.

Public library

Councilors heard a presentation by Stettler Public Library manager Matt Barabash and Jane Skocdopole, including a description of the library’s total 2018 budget of $461,581.74. Barabash said the library in 2017 had almost 80,000 lends, lots of people are using the programs and the wifi is very popular, “a very busy library for a community like this,” said Barabash.

He said the library had almost 60,000 people come through the front doors. “We’re standing at a really great spot,” said Barabash.

The library budget was set to increase about 2.5 per cent for 2018. Free memberships have been successful, and used to garner about $5,000 per year. He said that amount is offset now by fundraising. Councilors unanimously approved the 2018 library budget.

Cost of living

County councilors approved a cost of living increase for staff, effective Jan. 1, 2018.

CAO Fox stated in a memo, “That the County of Stettler No. 6 approve a Cost of Living increase to all staff, effective January 1, 2018 at the rate of 1.3% as per the current (October 2017) Consumer Price Index for Alberta.”

Interim budget

Councilors also approved an interim budget as presented in the agenda by Cassidy and Cornelssen.

“The County of Stettler No. 6 needs to adopt a 2018 Interim Operating Budget to allow the County of Stettler to purchase, issue cheques and advance payroll after December 31, 2017,” stated the budget. “The first draft of the 2018 Operating and Capital Budget will be presented to Council on December 14 and December 19, 2017. From the comments received from Council, it will be presented again at Council’s direction. Therefore, it is recommended that Council adopt the 2017 Operating Budget as the 2018 Interim Operating Budget to ensure the County of Stettler No. 6 has the authority to operate January 1, 2018.”

Borrowing bylaw

Councilors approved a borrowing bylaw for next year as a standard contingency move.

“The County of Stettler No. 6 needs to adopt a Borrowing Bylaw for the year 2018 in order to incur indebtedness from the Royal Bank of Canada for all purposes, including ordinary current expenditures,” stated the memo from Cassidy and Cornelssen.

“Council needs to pass a borrowing bylaw to allow any interim borrowing that may occur during the year and to cover off the use of County of Stettler visas and/or any unforeseen circumstances. In 2009 through 2016 the Operating Borrowing Bylaw was for $3,000,000.00. In 2017 Council raised the amount to $5,000,000 as we worked towards the completion of the new Public Works Facility and the Erskine Water Project.

“In 2018 the County of Stettler will complete the paving and final clean-up for the Erskine Water Project of which the County must finance all expenses associated with the completion of the program. Based on current cash flow projections, we are recommending that the 2018 Operating Borrowing Bylaw remain at $5,000,000 to assist us with meeting these obligations. The Royal Bank of Canada requires that all interim borrowing bylaws be renewed annually.”

Curling tournaments

Councilors reviewed a request from the steering committee responsible for the two big curling tournaments coming to town in 2017 and 2018. The committee was curious about support from the County of Stettler.

Councilor Wayne Nixon suggested $1,000 for each tournament. Councilor Les Stulberg said there are many curlers in the county, and felt a bit more was in order. He suggested $5,000 each from the Rural Development Fund.

Councilors approved the motion by a 6-1 vote.

Private deliberations

Council moved in-camera at the end of their meeting to discuss a legal issue.

editor@stettlerindependent.com