Council oversees family assistance program for staff, sets additional coffee dates

Posted on January 4, 2024 by Ryan Dahlman

By Anna Smith
Commentator/Courier

Unlike many of their neighbouring towns and counties, the County of Forty Mile No. 8 chose to have their final meeting of the year late into December on the 20th, to pave the path for 2024.

The County looked to have additional support added for their staff, including family assistance and additional mental health supports. The proposed changes will be sent to the union for further discussion, and hopefully will see a motion pass in the early new year.

Registered letters have been sent out to Winnifred landowners in regards to payment for the water project. A bylaw was additionally set, as to allow for the County to apply for necessary funding in January.

It was noted that there seemed to be a misconception, by Council, that residents would be choosing payment term limits. However, the duration is something set by the Council, which has selected a term of 10 years. 

The bylaw was set with an interest rate not exceeding 10 per cent, with the exact rate to be determined by what the rates are in the new year.

Discussion continues in regards to the docking situation at 40 Mile Park, with the possibility of County docks offered as a possibility to address the issue of a lack of space for those looking to dock boats on the reservoir.

It was noted that, with current reservoir levels, it was unlikely to work for anyone in the near future, as they simply lack the shoreline for further progress on the project.

Dates have been set for the first “Coffee with Council” meetings for 2024. These informal meetings aim to encourage a dialogue between the County and their ratepayers, and having seen some success in the first meeting, council is excited to continue their meetings for other places.

Out of interest in seeing as many communities as they can before the spring arrives and Council gets too busy, they moved to have the events on January 29 in Bow Island, February 5 in Manyberries, February 26 in Etzikom, and March 11 in Skiff.