Town of Bow Island council meeting highlights

Posted on September 18, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

The Town of Bow Island held its regular council meeting on September 8. The meeting covered a variety of topics, including public safety updates, infrastructure planning, and administrative decisions.

 Here’s a summary of the key discussions:

The RCMP presented their Q1 report, highlighting efforts to maintain safety in the community. Over 40 traffic tickets were issued during the reporting period. The RCMP responded to 10 thefts, six break-and-enters, and two possession-related calls. Two calls were deemed unfounded, and some were civil matters. Additionally, a search warrant was executed in Bow Island. For community engagment, officers participated in school visits, a lockdown drill at St. Michael’s, and even helped with gardening at Bow Island Elementary.

Council had a third reading of a bylaw authorizing the Town to borrow $300,000 for the purchase of a new administration building. The total cost is $985,000, with $685,000 covered by grants and municipal contributions. The $300,000 loan will be repaid over 15 years, with the building expected to have a lifespan of 50+ years. As of December 31, 2024, the Town’s outstanding debt was $2,602,640, with no arrears.

With election day set for October 20, Council considered  appointing Hillian Oldenzijl as returning officer, with Monique Kusters as substitute returning officer.

Council discussed the Alberta Community Partnership project, a collaboration between the Municipal District of Taber, County of Forty Mile, and the towns of Bow Island and Vauxhall. The project focuses on: evaluating water, wastewater, stormwater, and municipal facilities in key areas; developing a regional strategy for utility servicing, land use, and industrial growth; addressing infrastructure deficiencies and updating 10-year capital plans.

Council reviewed the Town’s franchise agreements with Fortis (electricity) and ATCO (gas). Key points include: Fortis fees can be adjusted annually (up to 20%), while ATCO fees are capped at 30 per cent and were recently set at 20 per cent in August 2025. Any changes to these fees must be advertised locally and communicated to the respective companies.

Council discussed updates to the Corporate Bylaw and Unanimous Shareholder Agreement (USA) for the Bow Island Primary Care Medical Clinic Ltd. Changes include:

• Bylaw Adjustments: Minor definition corrections, reduced shareholder meeting notification periods, and clarification on public director meetings.

• USA Updates: References to the Business Corporations Act and a requirement for shareholder approval of bylaw changes.

• Next Steps: Legal registration, appointment of directors, and initiation of asset transfers.

The Town of Bow Island continues to prioritize community safety, infrastructure development, and efficient governance. With upcoming elections and regional partnerships in motion, the Town is well-positioned for growth and sustainability. Stay tuned for more updates from future council meetings.