County of 40 Mile: Recent council highlights

Posted on February 27, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

County of 40 Mile: Recent Council Highlights

The County of 40 Mile’s recent council meeting was packed with significant decisions aimed at ensuring the financial stability, safety, and development of the region. Here’s an overview of some the points discussed.

Council tackled lingering issues tied to uncollectable property taxes, particularly those in the oil and gas sector. To lessen the burden on the municipality, the Provincial Education Requisition Credit (PERC) and Designated Industrial Requisition Credit (DIRC) programs were created by the Government of Alberta. These programs provide municipalities with credits equal to the uncollectable education property taxes and designated industrial property tax requisitions. After careful deliberation, Council approved the cancellation of $33,272.93 in Provincial Education Requisition taxes and $943.77 in Designated Industrial Requisition taxes. This enables the County to apply for credits of these amounts through the provincial programs.

The County officially moved to strengthen regional emergency preparedness by establishing the Forty Mile Regional Emergency Management Partnership. This partnership includes collaboration with the Village of Foremost and the Town of Bow Island. Following a feasibility study conducted in 2023, the County passed a bylaw to formalize this hybrid partnership model. The County will oversee the region’s emergency management budget and manage contributions from partner municipalities. Once approved at the provincial level, the partnership will also become eligible for additional grant funding, solidifying its long-term sustainability.

Visitors to 40 Mile Park are set to benefit from new golf cart regulations under a provincial pilot project. For years, golf carts have been informally used within the area, but with a provincial initiative now allowing municipalities to formalize their use, the County crafted regulations to ensure safety and compliance. 

Council set June 9, 2025, as the date for the annual Staff Safety and Recognition Day. This event will focus on celebrating staff contributions and reinforcing safety practices, with the addition of a motivational speaker to make the day even more impactful.

Verge Economic Development, a partner organization, will receive clear guidance on the County’s priorities for 2025. Council approved a refined list of actionable priorities to align Verge’s efforts with the County’s economic development goals. With an initial contribution of $16,114.50 already billed for the year, the County emphasizes the importance of targeted initiatives to maximize developmental impact.

Council reviewed and accepted the Shortgrass Library System’s municipal levy for 2025. With an operational levy of $5.04 per capita and a materials levy of $5.08 per capita, the County will contribute a total of $36,432.00 based on a population of 3,600. Although the levies mark a slight 1.5 per cent increase from the previous year, Council reiterated its commitment to supporting library services in the region.

The development potential of land in Burdett was a key discussion point. While a local developer expressed interest in pursuing opportunities quickly, Council decided to hold off on any formal action until preliminary results of the Burdett Development Plan are reviewed in March 2025 and public input is sought. Council emphasized the importance of evaluating broader capital investment priorities before moving forward but encourages developers to proceed independently on their own lands if they wished to expedite their plans.

The County of 40 Mile began the year with a wide range of initiatives aimed at addressing a broad range of interests. From tax relief measures to regional collaboration and plans for economic growth, these steps are setting the tone for a productive 2025. Residents can look forward to strengthened partnerships, improved regulations, and a focus on community-driven initiatives in the months to come.