Organizational Meeting/Regular Meeting
October 28
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING: The Organizational Meeting saw Mayor and Council sworn in for their four-year term. The first Deputy Mayor sworn in for this term is Coun. Philip Kushnir, having the position rotating with other members of Council until the next municipal election. Council addressed Community Committee appointments and approved the Regular Council Meeting schedule. For more information on Council meetings and committee appointments, click here. A photo gallery of Mayor and Council being sworn in can be found below.
BUDGET: Draft 1 of the 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets were presented to Council. Town Administration were looking for feedback from Council on ways to balance both budgets. The Operating Budget has a roughly $1.7 million deficit, while the Capital Budget has a roughly $15.25 million shortfall. The 2026 Operating Budget saw a decrease in revenue from 2025 of roughly $1.66 million and overall expenses increase in the amount of $89, 262. The Capital Budget includes all projects that were identified in 2025. The only updates are an increase in the cost of the Fire Truck – from $850,000 to $1,200,000 – and a corresponding decrease in the revenue transfer allocated for its purchase, reflecting the current balance in the reserve. Both Budgets will need to be balanced before the end of the year to ensure compliance with the Municipal Government Act
BUDGET OPEN HOUSE: The 2025 Budget Open House is scheduled in Council Chambers at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Town Administration will outline the second draft of the Operating and Capital Budgets and look for feedback from residents.
LETTER OF SUPPORT: Council approved a request from the Bonnyville Friendship Centre for a letter of support for community-based initiatives. The initiatives includes a mobile warming station, mobile outreach services, addictions support and services, and transportation and referral support.
DELEGATIONS: Bonnyville Senior Citizens Society President Sherry Hennessey outlined what their organization offers to the community and their request for a $30,000 operating grant to assist with the costs of operating the Bonnyville Seniors Drop In Centre. The Bonnyville Senior Citizens Society’s mission is to provide affordable recreation, education, socialization, and health and wellness programming for seniors. Some activities offered include chair yoga, floor curling, floor shuffleboard, crib, bridge, pool, a senior’s choir club called the Tuneagers, among others. Hennessey told Council the funds requested would go towards covering the significant increase in costs for running their facility. The presentation was accepted as information.
Shannon Paquette, a representative from STARS Air Ambulance, requested Town Council provide funding for 2026 at $2 per capita. The non-profit organization provides helicopter and ground ambulance services to deliver critical care and transportation for the critically ill and injured. While STARS does receive funding from the provincial government, 56 per cent of their funding is received through donations, fundraising and lotteries for operations costs. 157 patients have been picked up in Bonnyville by STARS for medical assistance since 2010. Council accepted the presentation as information.
PROCLOMATION: Mayor Elisa Brosseau proclaimed November as Family Violence Prevention Month. Alberta has the third highest rate of self-reported intimate partner violence among Canadian provinces and approximately every six days a woman is killed by her intimate partner in Canada. Violence against women and children represents one of the most significant societal issues that endangers Canadians health and well-being. Mayor Brosseau called upon citizens in Bonnyville to speak out against family violence.
BRIEFLY: Council set reserve bids and auction date of March 12, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Town Administration Office for properties that have not paid their property taxes and are on the tax recovery arrears list.
Having received approval from Alberta Transportation, Second and Third reading for Partial Lane Closure Bylaw No. 1588-25 was provided for the proposed partial lane closure at the back of 4802 47 Ave. The intent of the road closure is to transfer the property to the Lakeland Lodge and Housing organization to allow it to become a green space for residents at the Bonnylodge.
Development Permit 25-D0072 for a Change of Use – Single Family Dwelling to a Group Home was defeated by the Municipal Planning Commission.
The Municipal Planning Commission also defeated Development Permit 25-D0078 for a Fence Heigh Variance.
