Just like all consumers, the County of Stettler is going to be paying more for goods and services in 2022.
During the March 9 council meeting, council awarded the oil tender for the Gravel Road Dust Reduction Program to Read on Roads Inc., of Okotoks, Alta, at a cost of of $0.75/litre and $195 per hour for application.
According to operations director Rick Green, these costs are a 30 per cent increase over 2021, and, unfortunately, only one company submitted a tender for the oiling part of the dust suppression program.
Calcium
For the calcium supply portion of the dust reduction program, the county received three bids, each of was also significantly higher than last year.
The winning bid was awarded to Kortech Calcium Services Ltd., of Edmonton, at a cost of $0.235/litre with a minimum load size of 21,000 litres.
Kortech also charges $150/hour if the company is required to perform standby services.
Trade show
After a long absence, the County of Stettler will be returning to the Stettler Board of Trade Trade Show which is taking place April 8 to 10.
The county has not participated in, nor sent representatives to, the Stettler trade show since 2015, instead “focusing on providing and attending Town Hall and engagement opportunities” within the county.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for us to access the public,” said Coun. Ernie Gendre, prior to making the motion that council attend.
The total cost to the county for attending the event, including staff time, table rental, etc, is estimated to be between $6,000 and $8,000.
4-H
In a motion by Coun. Les Stulberg, council has voted in favour of continuing to support the local 4-H Beef district’s annual event.
“It’s great to support the youth of our community,” said Stulberg.
The county will sponsor the event with a $400 donation as well as conduct interviews and make a reccomendation an which 4-H member should recieve the 4-H Beef Intermediate Excellence Award.
Open Farm Days/Long-table supper
Instead of partnering with the Stettler Regional Board of Trade (BOT) for the Open Farms tours and Long Table Dinner, council has decided to focus more on the tours and let the BOT work on the supper.
“Maybe we should concentrate on the (agricultural) side, and the county doesn’t have to do everything,” said Stulberg.
After some discussion, it was decided that the county would provide a VIP farm tour as an event on the day of the Long Table Dinner, as well as provide “limited” support to the dinner.
What that limited support will look like will be determined at a later time.
The motion was carried in a motion by Coun. James Nibourg.
East bound and down poker rally
The second annual East Bound and Down Poker Rally running from Camrose to Big Valley will be taking place on June 18.
“It popped up on our radar,” said director of communications Niki Thorsteinsson.
“It hasn’t been brought to our attention before, and missed our first round of applications. I thought we shouldn’t ignore it.”
While council was in support of the rally, the feeling of council was that since the cutoff for the next intake of the Community Investment Program ends before the event, it should be directed there.
“Why develop a policy if we’re not going to use it?” asked Stulberg.
Dave Grover put forward the motion redirecting the request to the next intake of the Community Investment Program, which closes in May.