The Town of Castor's municipally-owned gas system is facing a loss for the first time since 2019. Council was provided the information during the May 12 council meeting.
According to the documentation in the agenda package for the meeting, losses on the system so far in 2025 are sitting around 1.90 per cent.
"We're checking for leaks and doing maintenance," said Chief Administrative Officer Donna Rowland.
Under Alberta legislation, a municipally-owned gas service can run a surplus or deficit of three per cent. Any more than that either direction and conditions for an audit will be triggered.
Water system
Despite a "big break" in March, the Town of Castor's water system is showing positive signs.
To date in 2025, the water system is showing losses of 7.4 per cent, down from losses of 13.5 per cent at the end of 2024, and a high of 24 per cent in 2021.
"April's numbers have levelled out," said Rowland.
Vulnerable Sector Check Policy
Castor council has approved a policy requiring a vulnerable sector check for staff members dealing with vulnerable populations, such as seniors and youth.
The policy was reviewed at a previous council meeting, however council had administration add a section dealing with council.
Under the council section, councillors are "encouraged" but not required to obtain a vulnerable sector check.
The completed forms will be kept by the chief administrative officer or their designate.
Summer leaders caucus
The town council has turned down an opportunity to attend a leaders' caucus hosted by Municipal Affairs in Drumheller this summer.
With the impending municipal election in October, which could see some, or all of the councillors replaced, council did not believe attending the caucus would be a prudent use of resources.
"It's a waste of money, the whole council could be changing," said Deputy Mayor Trudy Kilner.
