By Kevin J. Sabo
For the Advance
With a policy approved by Stettler County council during their April 14th meeting, council is working to invest in community programs.
Under the ‘Community Investment Program’ policy, the County of Stettler will budget $15,000 a year for one-time grants to community programs which may need assistance.
“Council recognizes that community organizations should be supported in principle and with resources,” reads the policy statement in the document.
“Funding under this policy is a one-time, interim measure and is not to be relied on as a continuing source of revenue.”
Organizations within the County of Stettler are able to apply for the grant include non-profits who have had, “good financial standing for two years.” In their application the organizations must be able to show a benefit to the community, their community involvement and support, and long-term viability.
The County of Stettler is offering two windows of opportunity to apply for the grant, with the first cut-off being May 31st of any given year, and Dec. 31st.
Stettler history book
Volunteers continuing work on the Stettler region history book, due to be published in 2022, submitted a request for financial assistance from the County.
The projected budget of the history book sits at over $100,000 by the time editing, professional preparation fees, and costs of the printed manuscripts are factored together.
Working collaboratively with the P&H Elevator Society and receiving some financial support from the Town of Stettler, the group was asking the County for a donation or loan to continue work on the project.
Coun. Wayne Nixon supported the request, motioning to support the Stettler History Book with a donation of $5,000. A “friendly amendment” was made by Coun. James Nibourg that the County of Stettler request 10 copies of the completed books when they are printed. The motion was carried.
Once completed, the Stettler History Book will be sold as a two-volume set, each of about 750 pages. The final price of the history book, should someone choose to purchase one, has not been determined yet, but will be in excess of $125.
Bylaws
County of Stettler council were presented with six separate bylaws at varying stages of progress.
Four different Land Use Bylaw amendments were presented to council, each passing first reading.
The contents of the bylaws included an update to RV usage in subdivisions across the County, added motels and hostels into recreation districts and discussed the merger of the Gadsby and County of Stettler Land Use Bylaws. With the first reading passed, public hearings will be held for all four bylaws at council’s next meeting on May 12th.
Bylaw 1638-20, the Fee Schedule Bylaw, which was initially proposed last year, was presented to council for first reading. The proposed bylaw would allow the County to charge for various services provided, such as sign installation.
“The intent isn’t full cost-recovery,” said Director of municipal Services Andrew Brysiuk.
“It’s going to be a standard amount.”
Believing the bylaw required more discussion than time allowed, Coun. Nibourg motioned to table the bylaw until next meeting, without passing first reading, which was carried.
The final bylaw presented to council was Bylaw 1655-21, the Community Aggregate Levy. The Bylaw adds a late reporting surcharge, adjusts timelines, and adds a late payment penalty for companies running aggregate pits in the County. Part of a public hearing was held the same day as the council meeting, and no delegations presented for or against the bylaw.
The bylaw subsequently passed the second and third readings.