On Friday, Dec. 2 the County of Stettler deliberated and discussed the 2017 budget and made recommendations.
Delaying almost all capital purchases in the 2017 and 2018 budget, the county was satisfied that their equipment fleet was in excellent condition and age.
They were able to add two new graders to the fleet in 2015 and purchased two more graders in 2016.
With the good fortune of back-to-back mild winters, an additional year of life has been added to all the graders, which historically form a large part of the county's annual capital budget, adding up to over $1.2 million a year.
In 2017, the county will be finalizing capital investments/projects, including Erskine East Subdivision and Erskine Water Servicing Project, which will be providing much needed water to the hamlet.
The budget presented on Friday had no provision for funding rural water hook-ups, however council said they could consider and budget for hook-ups where connection fees cover the cost of any requests.
So far the county budget that was discussed shows a 17 per cent reduction in the gravel surfacing over 2016 where they laid 131,065 tonnes, with this budget proposing 108,655 tonnes.
With the reduced industrial traffic due to the downturn in the economy the county felt that they didn't need to do the spread they did in 2016 and in fact are receiving the feedback of too much gravel on some of the roads.
In 2015, county spread over 175,000 tonnes of gravel as part of a 'catch-up' to their gravel program and realized that their maintenance program was not holding the roads in steady and good repair.
This budget proposes zero increase in taxes for three years although council may want to consider keeping up with the cost-of-living.
Going forward the county will continue to maintain their existing level of service and
continue to capitalize on grant monies as they become available by preparing shelf-ready projects.
The new Public Works Facility has been funded by MSI Capital grant funding and partially out of county reserves.
In 2016 Public Works introduced two types of dust control for residential sites: calcium and a light oil. Having received positive feedback on the light oil applications and the way it controlled dust, these options for dust control will continue into the 2017 program.
The county is also looking at shaping the road network in Byemoor and applying a blade mix oil surface.
Erskine East Subdivision site and road structure completion: County forces will put the final touches on ditches, top soiling, landscaping and structural gravels for the roads and installation of a storm pond outlet. Paving, curb and gutter will be contracted and is planned for summer completion.
Erskine Water Distribution: The county expects the system to be operational by January 2017 with restoration work of disturbed areas to be completed in the spring and summer. Phase 2 completion is expected in June.
Ag Services: Roadside weed control (2017 – North Third, 2018 – South Third, 2019 – Center Third), Common Buckthorn survey, increased ratepayer workshops and educational sessions.
Priority Area Weed Control (PAWC) program expansion: Add four townships and one subdivision with $19,000 increase for brush spraying and brushing and $5,000 increase for brushing assistance with mower.
Finance will begin the process of creating a 10-year capital plan, which will include a reserve policy to assist the county in identifying where their capital and reserves need to be.
County yet to take a stand on Councillor Ernie GendreAt a special county council meeting held on Wednesday, Nov. 30 the county councillors questioned Councillor Ernie Gendre whether he had vested interest while voting at the Sept. 14, 2016 council meeting with regards to the awarding of the contract to Wally's Backhoe and whether he was aware at the time that his son Ryan Gendre would be subcontracted.
County council was forced to seek legal counsel after it received a written request from ratepayers to review Councillor Gendre's interest in decisions made regarding the county's new public works facility.
In addition, Councillor Gendre was accused by the ratepayers of having his equipment on site.
Addressing these concerns, when asked by council at the special county meeting last week, if it was true that his equipment was on site, Councillor Gendre admitted that he had lent his dump truck to his son Ryan Gendre to conduct business on site.
Councillor Greggory Jackson made a motion that the council move to delay further action regarding Councillor Gendre's alleged pecuniary interest to the regular county meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 14.