Feds, province extend deadline for drought livestock assistance

By Rob VogtThe federal and provincial governments have announced they are extending the deadline to Feb. 22 to apply for drought livestock assistance to help producers maintain breeding herds.A Jan. 25 news release states the 2023 Canada-Alberta Drought Livestock Assistance initiative is extending the application deadline, as well as expanding eligibility to 23 new regions. Funding for this joint AgriRecovery … Read more

Town council approves 2024 capital budget

By Rob VogtClaresholm town council has approved a capital budget that will include about $4.3 million in spending on equipment and infrastructure for the next year.At its Dec. 11 meeting, Abe Tinney, the town’s chief administrative officer, and Jace McLean, the town’s director of infrastructure, presented the capital budget for approval.A summary of projects and funding sources is:• Bobcat replacement … Read more

Water, sewer rates to increase three per cent over the next three years

By Rob VogtCiting inflationary pressures, Claresholm town council will increase the water and sewer rates three percent each year for 2024, 2025, and 2026.At its Oct. 23 meeting, council passed first reading of an amendment to the town’s water and sewer bylaw increasing the rates.The decision came after they reviewed areport from administration stating that in 2018 council made the … Read more

Albertans offered chance to look at study on pension plan

By Rob Vogt; Photo by Chris Schwarz/Government of AlbertaThe provincial government will provide Albertans the chance to look at a study examining the feasibility of a provincial pension plan replacing the Canada Pension Plan in the province.On Sept. 21, the provincial government issued a release stating the report, created by the independent consultant LifeWorks, suggests an Alberta Pension Plan could … Read more

Town council approves final 2023 town budget

By Rob VogtAfter some adjustments, Claresholm town council has approved the 2023 town budget.Blair Bullock, the town’s director of corporate services, presented the budget at the April 24 council meeting.He noted there have been some changes since council approved the interim budget.Changes to the operating budget were:• An increase in revenue for municipal purposes, including provincial policing costs, of $30,000. … Read more

M.D. of Willow Creek to support Nanton Junior Rodeo

By Rob VogtThe Municipal District of Willow Creek will provide $1,700 for the Nanton Junior Rodeo.At its April 26 meeting, the M.D. council agreed to provide the financial support to come from the discretionary funds of councillors, with Coun. Evan Berger contributing $400; Coun. Brian Nelson contributing $300; and Reeve Maryanne Sandberg and Couns. Glen Alm, Earl Hemmaway, John Kroetsch, … Read more

M.D. adopts 2023 operating and capital budgets

By Rob VogtThe council of the Municipal District of Willow Creek has adopted its 2022 operating budget of $17.2 million.The decision came at council’s April 12 meeting after a presentation by administration.It stated the total operating budget revenue is $17,202,235 with total operating budget expenditures of $17,156,645, generating a surplus of $45,590.Council previously approved an interim budget, and there have … Read more