Cypress County’s September 2 council meeting: Highlights

Posted on September 11, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

The Sept. 2 Cypress County council meeting addressed several significant issues that will impact the community’s economic development, infrastructure, and ongoing administrative challenges. Here’s what council members decided and why these decisions matter for residents.

The Aug. 19 council meeting minutes were adopted, showing, among other items, important decisions that were carried. Council approved sending a letter of support to the Suffield Grazing Co-op for their proposal to continue leasing pastures at CFB Suffield. In response to a request from the University of Alberta, council directed administration to investigate a water study proposal. Such partnerships often provide valuable data that helps inform future policy decisions and infrastructure planning.

Additionally, council made two contrasting decisions regarding road maintenance that reflect budget realities. For the Robinson Coulee Road project, council chose a pragmatic approach by directing administration to adjust the project’s scope to fit within the 2025 capital budget while still proceeding with the lowest bidder. This ensures the project moves forward without exceeding financial constraints. However, council also made the difficult decision to change Township Road 202’s service level from Highway 41N east for approximately 2.65 kilometers. The existing oiled surface will be restored to gravel, with costs coming from the existing 2025 operations maintenance budget. While this may disappoint some residents, it demonstrates responsible fiscal management during challenging budget cycles.

Council also approved the 2025-2035 Cypress County Investment Attraction Strategy, signaling a decade-long commitment to economic growth. The County’s commitment to economic development extends internationally as well. Council approved hosting the 2026 SiteLink Forum, allocating $65,000 USD for the event. The funding will be split between the 2025 economic development budget ($10,000) and the 2026 budget for the remainder.

Also in the August minutes, council directed administration to send a letter to the minister of transportation and economic corridors requesting an update on Highway 3 twinning project status.

An important agenda item for Sept. 2nd’s meeting involved a request from TD Bank for a refund of $25,425.55 in property taxes. The situation stems from a 2010 incident where a house was mistakenly constructed on adjacent land without the bank’s knowledge.

The circumstances are unusual: TD Bank could have simply foreclosed on the vacant land but chose to work toward a solution. However, the land swap process has taken longer than expected, resulting in continued tax accumulation and penalties. The bank argues it shouldn’t be responsible for taxes that accrued before it owned the land.

Under the Municipal Government Act, the property was assessed based on implied consent for occupation, leading to proper tax assessment procedures. The taxes have been paid as required for subdivision approval, and administration followed reasonable assessment practices for similar properties.

Council’s consideration of this request will likely involve balancing fairness to the taxpayer against established municipal procedures and precedent-setting concerns.

These decisions and discussions reflect a council balancing fiscal responsibility with growth ambitions. From supporting agricultural partnerships and economic development strategies to making tough choices about road maintenance, council members demonstrated their commitment to thoughtful governance that considers both immediate needs and long-term community benefits.