Bow Island Council addresses key regional and financial matters 

Posted on April 24, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Bow Island town council met on April 14, to tackle a series of pivotal issues affecting the community.

Council passed a bylaw establishing a Regional Emergency Advisory Committee and a Regional Emergency Management Agency in collaboration with the Village of Foremost and the County of Forty Mile. The bylaw allows for a joint response to potential multi-jurisdictional disasters, ensuring resources can be pooled during emergencies. The Regional Director of Emergency Management will spearhead efforts to coordinate emergency responses across these municipalities.

Council completed the first reading of the proposed 2025 Tax Rate Bylaw, which outlines the rates for residential, farmland, non-residential, and machinery property taxes. The Town of Bow Island’s 2024 budget estimates total municipal expenditures and transfers at $5,948,210, with $3,764,766 expected from non-taxation revenues and transfers, leaving a balance of $2,183,444 to be raised through general municipal taxation. Residents are reminded that taxes are due by August 15, 2025, with penalties applied to late payments. The second and third readings of the 2025 Tax Rate Bylaw are scheduled for the next meeting on April 28, 2025.

 Council reevaluated the partnership agreement with the County of Forty Mile and the Village of Foremost regarding primary care physician housing. The partnership has facilitated the purchase of three residences intended for doctors serving the region. However, with only one general practitioner currently practicing in the area, two of the homes remain vacant. Council considers a recommendation to sell the vacant property at 265 Westview Crescent and keep proceeds in trust for future housing purchases as recruitment efforts continue. New housing currently under construction in Bow Island is expected to meet future needs as additional physicians are recruited. Council emphasized maintaining the partnership to ensure a proactive approach to physician retention.

Correspondence from the Government of Alberta revealed a recalculation of Bow Island’s police funding share under the 2024-25 Police Funding Model. The letter stated, “This letter is to inform you that an error was discovered in the total equalized assessment used to calculate the 2024-25 Police Funding Model share of front-line policing costs. You will note that for this year (2024-25) your share of front-line policing costs is $105,517. This is $5,179 less than the $110,696 share of costs invoiced for 2023-24.” The letter included an apology and a request for timely remittance.

 Council was also briefed via correspondence about recent changes to the Municipal Government Act, including updates on conflicts of interest regulations for elected officials. The documents sent to council regarding this can be viewed by going to bowisland.com/government and following the link to the latest minutes.

The April 14 meeting, as always, showed the Town of Bow Island’s focus on safeguarding community safety, managing fiscal responsibilities, and facilitating strategic regional partnerships.