County of Forty Mile council meeting highlights 

Posted on July 10, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

County of Forty Mile held its regular council meeting on May 28, covering a wide range of topics that affect local residents and businesses. Here are the key takeaways from the session.

One of the motions approved by council was appointing the Chief Administrative Officer as Secretary of the Municipal Planning Commission. The role includes keeping detailed records of meetings and hearings, though the secretary will not participate in voting on commission matters.

Council also reviewed updates to the Accounts Receivable Collection Policy, aimed at improving efficiency in managing outstanding payments.

Kaylee Hurt, Recreation Coordinator for the Town of Bow Island, gave a presentation regarding the opportunity to host the 2026 Southern Alberta Summer Games. This venture would involve several facilities across Bow Island, Foremost, and the County of Forty Mile, as well as support from sponsors and volunteers. Council expressed interest in co-hosting the event, which promises to spotlight each community and attract visitors to the region.

Council reviewed photos of a recent landfill fire at North Forty Waste Services. The efforts of Cypress County’s firefighting services, Milt’s Earth Moving, and the County’s own team were commended for bringing the incident under control.

To keep residents informed on how their tax dollars are spent, council is preparing materials that will be widely advertised via social media, the County’s website, and local newspapers. Printed copies will also be available at the municipal office.

Council agreed on a streamlined approach for addressing recurring funding requests, such as those for libraries, recreational districts, and airports. These expenses will now be processed automatically if they fall within the approved budget, although exceptions will still honour transparency and accountability.

Cpl. Adam George from the Bow Island RCMP reviewed the Annual Performance Plan and sought input from council on local policing priorities. Key topics included regular patrols, concerns about fuel theft, and the promotion of crime prevention measures like motion sensor lights. Residents are urged to report suspicious activities to help with crime monitoring.

Sulman Umar, Director of Operations provided an update on proposed changes to the dock policy at 40 Mile Park. Following feedback from residents, the policy implementation has been postponed to July for further refinements. Concerns largely revolved around dock fees, with some residents suggesting the County build a marina. An information session is planned to address questions and clarify any misconceptions. More than 200 trees were recently planted and are thriving, thanks to regular care. Most leaseholders expressed satisfaction with park conditions, although there were some frustrations over provincial golf cart restrictions tied to the Golf Cart Pilot Project.

A Conquerville ratepayer raised concerns about dust caused by windmill-related traffic near his farmyard. Administration recommended contacting the windmill company directly to explore possible solutions, such as speed reductions or dust control measures.

The County noted the dedication of its staff, with upcoming recognition for 10 current and three retired employees for their years of service.