Christmas message from Cypress County reeve

By Darcy Geigle
Reeve, Cypress County
It is hard to believe another year has passed by and it is time to wish everyone the very best of the season.
Cypress County had a busy and successful year. We have seen a number of worthwhile accomplishments that add much to our community, and help to make the County a great place to live. Some of these include; 79 new lots in Desert Blume ready for development, continued growth and expansion in the commercial and residential sector with over 200 development permits issued in 2016, and a draft proposal from the Cypress Rural Water Co-op, that caused a great deal of excitement for our rural residents.
The recycling program has expanded and the 1st Annual Public Works Day, held in the spring to show school children how the County operates, was a huge success.
This year’s harvest was very challenging for ranchers and farmers due to drought in the spring followed by excess moisture in the fall. Another concern that we were faced with is the Bovine tuberculosis outbreak, and what that means for the local and Canadian beef industry. Council continues to lobby the provincial and federal governments to deal with elk on the Suffield army base.
Council is faced with the challenge of balancing the budget to maintain services, with the drop in revenue from linear tax, without effecting local business owners.  On the heels of a donation to purchase a food delivery truck in 2015, a monthly contribution in now made to the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank for continued support in the community.  A $200,000 annual donation to the City of Medicine Hat in recognition of use of recreational facilities, will begin in 2017 to compliment an increase of funding to the recreation facilities.
On behalf of Council and staff, I would like to wish you and your families a safe and joyful Christmas season and a very prosperous 2017!!

Darcy Geigle, Reeve of Cypress County