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E C A r e v i e w C o r o n a t i o n / S t e t t l e r , A b D e c e m b e r 1 5 ' 1 6 3<br />
<br />
Utility rates increase for 2017 in interim budget<br />
Linda Stillinger,<br />
ECA Review<br />
An interim operating budget for 2017<br />
was adopted by Stettler Town Council<br />
at their Dec. 6 regular meeting with<br />
estimates for expenditures of<br />
$16,801,224 and revenues of $17,785,191.<br />
The town’s 2017 Operating Budget<br />
will not be adopted until March or<br />
April of 2017.<br />
Utility rates will increase with the<br />
water rate per cubic metre rising from<br />
$2.73 to $2.78, though the water fixed<br />
rate will remain at $10 per month.<br />
Sewer rates will rise from $21.50 to<br />
$22, garbage rates from $22.50 to $23<br />
and residential recycling fees from $6<br />
to $6.25.<br />
These increases will come into effect<br />
January 1, 2017.<br />
Bad debts<br />
Council approved the motion to<br />
write off $16,015.59 of bad debt, representing<br />
a mix of 23 rental and business<br />
utility accounts.<br />
All bad debts have been given over<br />
to a collection agency.<br />
Based on the Town of Stettler 2016<br />
utility revenues of approximately<br />
$3,598,330 the utility write-offs represent<br />
0.47 per cent of revenues, up from<br />
0.31 per cent in 2015.<br />
Bids accepted<br />
The town received two bids in a<br />
second round of tenders for a winged<br />
power take off pull behind mower.<br />
The original tender for a heavy duty<br />
mower received only one bid and was<br />
rejected by council because it was<br />
$13,900 over the budgeted amount.<br />
The new tender changed the specification<br />
to medium duty and netted bids<br />
of $19,915 from Cervus Equipment Ltd.<br />
and $13,600 from Future Ag. Inc.<br />
Though higher than the $10,000<br />
originally budgeted, council accepted<br />
staff recommendations to purchase<br />
the mower from Future Ag.<br />
Equipment in the amount of $13,600.<br />
plus tax with funding to come from the<br />
Season’s Greetings<br />
and best wishes for<br />
the New Year!<br />
Innisfail, AB • 403-227-5581<br />
Stettler, AB • 403-742-0200<br />
We wish you safe<br />
and<br />
We<br />
happy<br />
wish you<br />
Christmas!<br />
a safe<br />
and happy Christmas!<br />
from Dale, Irene and Staff at<br />
Contact Safety Services<br />
Contact Safety Services<br />
403-823-7771 Drumheller<br />
403-742-2035 Stettler<br />
2016 capital budget.<br />
Bids from Hi-way 12 Sales Inc. for<br />
$10,900 and Hitch to Headlights Inc. for<br />
$13,109 were received to provide a<br />
dump trailer with the lowest possible<br />
deck height.<br />
Both bids came under the approved<br />
$15,000 budgeted amount.<br />
After hearing staff recommendations,<br />
council approved the higher bid<br />
from Hitch to Headlights Inc. since<br />
that deck was 5.5 inches lower.<br />
Library budget<br />
Library Manager, Matthew<br />
Barabash and Andrew Brysiuk of the<br />
Stettler Public Library presented the<br />
2017 library budget to council.<br />
The town contribution of $231,333 for<br />
2017 is slightly down from last year’s<br />
$232,961. The library is jointly funded<br />
by the Town and County of Stettler.<br />
Though council voiced their<br />
<br />
STETTLER TOWN COUNCIL<br />
Hanna Rod & Gun Show<br />
presents their<br />
Big Game Scoring<br />
SOCIAL<br />
Saturday, January 28<br />
Hanna<br />
Legion Hall<br />
Doors<br />
open<br />
@ 7pm<br />
3 Raffles<br />
• Thompson Centre 306 Riffle<br />
• Primos Turbo Dogg Coyote Call<br />
• Vortex Crossfire 10 x 42 Binoculars<br />
Raffle Tickets to be sold locally<br />
Must be in attendance to win<br />
Call John Akkerman 403-854-6437<br />
concerns regarding the reduction of<br />
user fees, it was explained how donations<br />
tend to rise when free programs<br />
are offered, offsetting the loss.<br />
Council recognised that a library is<br />
certainly a place for more than just<br />
books and values all the Stettler<br />
Library contributes to the community.<br />
Christmas Tree<br />
The annual Christmas tree lighting<br />
ceremony was a great success.<br />
“We were very fortunate with the<br />
weather. There seemed to be more<br />
people than ever,” stated Mayor Dick<br />
Richards<br />
According to Richards, there were<br />
people lined up from Party Max down<br />
to John’s Mens Wear with everyone<br />
shopping, visiting and enjoying this<br />
annual event.<br />
Kelsey Roach donated this year’s<br />
Christmas tree and Heartland<br />
FLAGSTAFF COUNTY<br />
Single-tier governance model<br />
Members of the Flagstaff<br />
Intermunicipal Partnership (FIP)<br />
unanimously voted to design a singletier<br />
governance model for all member<br />
communities in the region to consider.<br />
The goal would be to dissolve<br />
Flagstaff County and all urban municipalities<br />
within its boundaries and<br />
have regional elections in October 2017<br />
for a newly-created single<br />
municipality.<br />
“All the research, data and consultation<br />
feedback we’ve collected over<br />
the past year clearly indicates that one<br />
regional government gives our communities<br />
the best chance of success<br />
moving forward,” said Bob Coutts,<br />
Deputy Mayor of Forestburg and FIP<br />
Chair.<br />
“This is a bold step, but we have to<br />
work together if we want to grow and<br />
attract new families and businesses to<br />
our communities.”<br />
A sub-committee consisting of one<br />
representative from each of the ninemember<br />
FIP communities.<br />
Turn to Details, Pg 9<br />
Castor & District AG Society<br />
would like to thank everyone for<br />
supporting the raffle.<br />
WINNERS<br />
• 1st Prize - Arctic Cat 4x4 Quad<br />
Jeff Ensign, Castor<br />
• 2nd Prize - Green Egg BBQ<br />
w/$1,500 Meat Package<br />
Dallas Pridell, Consort<br />
• 3rd Prize - $1,000 Cash<br />
Nick Jenkins, Halkirk<br />
Merry Christmas<br />
May the Joy of<br />
experiencing<br />
Jesus Christ as<br />
your living Saviour<br />
and Lord be yours<br />
this Christmas Season.<br />
the Grice<br />
family<br />
Christmas Greens now available<br />
Specializing in<br />
• Table Centrepieces<br />
• Outside Doorstep Arrangements<br />
• European Hand-tied Bouquets<br />
Come in and check out our vast<br />
array of giftware & wall decor.<br />
Congratulations<br />
on your 2011<br />
Production<br />
Industries provided the free use of<br />
their picker truck to move the tree.<br />
Christmas<br />
Music Concert<br />
@ Zinger Music Barn Coronation AB<br />
Sun., Dec 18 @ 3:00 pm<br />
Free Admission<br />
Coffee and Dessert<br />
Everyone Welcome<br />
403 578 3956<br />
from<br />
Big Valley Antiques & Collectibles<br />
CHRISTMAS HOURS<br />
Dec 8-10<br />
10am - 5pm<br />
Dec 14-23<br />
10am- 5pm<br />
OPEN HOUSE<br />
Thurs. Dec 15<br />
10am - 5pm<br />
Draws, goodies & fun<br />
WILD FURS<br />
Coyote, Fox, Shed Antlers<br />
Coming to Hanna AB<br />
Hanna Building Supply Yard<br />
at 1 pm<br />
Sat., Jan 7, Feb 11 & Mar 11<br />
Contact Kim 780 755 3860<br />
cell 780 842 7153<br />
Prebook your<br />
Christmas<br />
Arrangements<br />
for best selection<br />
& Florist<br />
Check Out The<br />
NEW-TO-YOU<br />
Clothing Section<br />
Hoodies & Jersey’s<br />
25 % off<br />
All purses &<br />
handbags<br />
50 % off<br />
IN STORE SPECIALS<br />
4801-50 Ave.<br />
Castor, AB<br />
403-882-3144<br />
Open Home Monday - Saturday - 8am-5:30pm<br />
Hardware<br />
Flowers Florists for special occasions, funeral tributes, weddings & everyday<br />
Serving Castor & Highway 12 to Consort, Highway 36 to Alliance<br />
Brian, Joan & Staff<br />
Castor, AB • 403-882-3144