Stettler County council approved the latest round of funding for its Community Investment Program during the June 11 meeting.
Six applications totalling $6,800 were received for the application window closing at the end of May.
According to Lorraine Hankins, the county's manager of recreation and insurance, three of the applications were new for the investment stream and three were for the annual support stream.
The Community Investment Program budgets $15,000 per year in two application windows to support events across the county.
During the discussion of the three projects for the new investment stream, it was noted that one project, that for the Botha Seniors Centre lighting upgrade, didn't meet the requirements of the program as it was for an infrastructure upgrade and not an event.
"Good policy makes good governance," said Coun. James Nibourg. "It doesn't fit this criterion ... We do have other funding streams for that."
Ultimately, council decided to fund five of the six Community Investment Program applications, excluding the Botha lighting upgrade for $812.70.
Applications approved include the Foothills Model T Club Steam 'n' T Party for $2,000, the Red Willow Agricultural Society Father's Day Fair for $1,000, the Stettler Friends of the Library Culture Days activities for $1,000, the Big Valley Bust Out Rodeo for $1,500 and the Stettler Junior and Senior High School Rodeo for $500.
Any funds not spent from this intake of the Community Investment Program will be kept in the program account and forwarded to subsequent intakes.
Due to the Botha Seniors Centre lighting project being an emergency issue, a subsequent motion by Coun. Nibourg approved the funding of that project from the Emergency Recreation Fund.
Milling Machine
Council has approved the purchase of a milling machine for county operations.
A milling machine is road construction equipment used to remove asphalt or concrete from road surfaces.
According to operations director Greg Jackson, the need for a milling machine was identified with more hard road surfaces being found in the hamlets of the county.
"It's far better if we have our own equipment," said Jackson.
Three quotes were received for the equipment; one was received from Stettler Equipment Sales & Rental, and two were received from Finning.
According to Jackson, the milling machine being recommended, one of the two Finning products, due to it already having the right connections to attach to the recently purchased Finning track-loader.
When asked, Jackson stated that the equipment from Stettler Equipment Sales & Rental could be made to work, but it would require additional components, as all the connections are on opposite sides.
