Regular Council Meeting May 13
RATES OF TAXATION: Bylaw No. 1601-25 2025 Rates of Taxation received all three readings. The Rates of Taxation reflect the 2025 Operational Budget and include an average residential municipal tax dollar increase of two per cent and non-residential municipal increase of four per cent. Overall, the Residential Tax Rate for properties has increased by 0.35302 mills due to several factors, including an increase to the Provincial School Requisition, a slight decrease in the Seniors Requisition, the two per cent Municipal Tax dollar increase, as well as a decrease in overall residential assessments. The overall Multi-Family Residential Tax Rate has increased by 0.09722 mills due to the same factors as listed above except there was a slight increase in Multi-Family Assessments.
RURAL BUSSING WORKING GROUP: Representatives from Town Council are open to meetings to discuss the challenges faced by the rural bus industry and the support they need. City of Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland asked for feedback from local communities in the region on the possibility of establishing a working group.
PROCLOMATIONS: Mayor Elisa Brosseau made proclamations during the meeting. They included designating May 26 to 30 as Alberta Rural Health Week, May as Sexual Violence Awareness Month, May 18 to 24 National Public Works Week, and June 2 to 8 Senior’s Week in the Town of Bonnyville.
BRIEFLY: Council provided first reading to Bylaw No. 1600-25 Apex Utilities Inc. Natural Gas Distribution System Franchise Agreement. The bylaw authorizes the Town of Bonnyville to enter into a renewed Natural Gas Distribution System Franchise Agreement with Apex Utilities Inc. The bylaw will now be forwarded to the Alberta Utilities Commission for their review.
Regular Council Meeting June 10
BYLAWS: Bylaw No. 1602-25, the Corridor Regulation Bylaw, received three readings by Council. The bylaw is from Muni-Corr and includes changes requested by the group, which is an update from the previous Corridor Regulation Bylaw that was passed in 2007. Muni-Corr has been working on revising the Corridor Regulation Bylaw with input from the ten municipal partners. Some significant changes to the bylaw include introducing fines for overnight camping in the corridor outside of a designated area or without a permit, allowing off-road motorbikes access, and exclusive tracked use and non-motorized use from Jan. 1 to March 31 each year.
PROCLOMATION: Mayor Elisa Brosseau proclaimed June as Recreation and Parks Month. The benefits provided by recreation and parks programs and services reduces healthcare and social services costs, serve to boost the economy, economic renewal sustainability, enhance property values, decrease vandalism, attract new business, increase tourism and curb employee absenteeism. The Town of Bonnyville recognizes the benefits and values that recreation, parks, and leisure services provide.
BRIEFLY: Council approved the additional cost of $1,000 for the Hearts for Healthcare Gala.