COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 22
FINAL BUDGET: Council has approved the Town of Bonnyville’s 2025 Final Operating and Capital Budgets. The $34 million Operating Budget includes a two per cent residential and four per cent non-residential municipal tax dollar increase, as well as a $778,075 transfer from reserves to balance the budget. The School Tax Requisition increased by approximately $170,000, resulting in a 3.65 per cent residential and 3.82 per cent non-residential school tax increase. The Capital Budget is balanced and includes an additional $2.2 million for core infrastructure. $1.25 million will come from the General Capital Reserve to balance the capital budget. The Town will continue seeking additional grant funding and strategic partnerships to support future projects and ensure long-term sustainability.
RURAL RENEWAL STREAM: The Town of Bonnyville’s Rural Renewal Stream program was re-opened on a limited basis. The Town is limiting the number of employees a business can sponsor through this program to 30 per cent of their workforce if they have more than five employees. If a business has five or less employees, they will be restricted to sponsoring two employees.
FUNDING REQUESTS: Council approved a Bronc Buster Lovel $1,000 sponsorship for the Lakeland Broncs and Bulls Event, which is happening May 9 and 10 at the Cold Lake Energy Centre.
The Bonnyville Soccer Association will receive a $2,000 sponsorship from the Town for the Wetlands Mini 2025 Tournament. The funds will be used to cover anticipated event expenses, which includes referee fees, player gifts, and metals. The Wetlands Mini Tournament is happening June 7 at the Wetlands Soccer Fields.
BYLAWS: Bylaw No. 1595-25 Planning and Development Fees received second and third reading. The purpose of this bylaw is to update fees, include a fine that would equate to up to five times the fee for a lapsed development permit, an increase in the fine for building without a permit, and other minor housekeeping items.
The Public Hearing for Amending Bylaw 1596-25 – Land Use Amendment LUBA 25-002 was held. No one was present to speak for or against the amendments to the Land Use Bylaw No. 1447-16, which was in regards to changes to penalties for development permits. Council provided second and third reading to Land Use Amending Bylaw 1596-25 after the Public Hearing. The purpose of this bylaw is to update Section 31 – Fees and Section, 62 – Offences, and to remove Section 124 – Keeping of Animals.
Bylaw No. 1599-25 – A Bylaw to Amend Council Procedural Bylaw received all three readings. The purpose of this amendment is to adhere to section 199 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) which outlines the requirements for meetings by electronic means. Although the Town’s current bylaw does allow for Council to attend meetings by electronic means, it is now a requirement that Public Hearings under Part 17 of the MGA to also allow participants to attend meetings by electronic means.
BRIEFLY: Representatives from Wilde and Company Chartered Professional Accountants presented the Town of Bonnyville’s audited consolidated financial statements.