Pay increases for the new council for the Town of Stettler have been finalized after several months of review.
At its regular meeting Sept. 7, council adopted a policy that sets the annual pay for mayor to $20,000 and for councilor to $13,333.
Previously the rate for mayor was $15,315 and councilor was $11,486.
While staff recommended the new rates become effective Jan. 1, 2011, Councillor Leona Thorogood suggested that the increase be changed when the new council is sworn in after the election, which was fully supported by council.
“I feel the new rates should become effective when the new council is sworn in – it just makes sense,” said Mayor Dick Richards.
Basic pay is an all-inclusive amount provided by council members for their time and service to attend municipal matters, including time to attend in-town regular council and committee meetings they have been appointed to.
Commercial subdivision
Council endorsed a staff recommendation to approve an application to subdivide one parcel of commercial property along Highway 12 in the west end to create three commercial lots requested by Canalta Real Estate Services & SMH Management Inc.
These new lots would be accessed from 67 Street and 49 Avenue and this large parcel is currently occupied by a pizza outlet and a telecommunications business.
“Sufficient parking has been developed to accommodate an additional retail/service business in the newly created vacant parcel,” said Leann Bateman of the town’s planning and development services department.
The application is supported by the municipal development plan and subdivision and development regulations.
Town seeks funding for water project
Council approved a staff recommendation to authorize administration to apply for maximum available funding under the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership (AMWWP) for the project to upgrade the sewage waste water treatment facility and to construct a storage cell estimated at $2.6 million.
“Under the cost-share formula parameters of the AMWWP, the town should be eligible for 42.11 per cent provincial funding of $377,433,” said Greg Switenky, assistant chief administrative officer.
The remaining net municipal share of $519,007 cans be funded from a combination of available reserves and/or long-term debenture borrowing bylaw – given first reading Aug. 3 in the amount of $575,151, he noted.
“This funding will not be available until the 2011 provincial budget year and therefore will need to be financed internally in the interim,’ said Switenky.
He further noted in particular that the costs to acquire land are not considered eligible under the federal grant program.