Cypress County May 19 Council meeting highlights

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Cypress County’s Council met on May 19 and began by approving the minutes from the May 5 meeting, during which a number of key items were discussed and carried.

During the May 5 meeting, items carried include:

• Cypress County Council approved changes to its 2026 tax rate bylaw, including a 2 per cent increase to residential and farmland tax rates and an increase to the tax ratio from 3.15:1 to 3.25:1. Council also directed administration to plan for annual tax ratio increases over the next three years. The ratio is to rise to 3.5:1 in 2027, 3.75:1 in 2028, and 4:1 in 2029.

• Development Permit Application 26/66 for the construction of a 40-by-50-foot personal-use shop was approved. The permit was approved with variances to total building area, building height, and setback to the adjacent property, along with standard conditions.

• Council also gave approval to Development Permit Application 26/68 for the operation of an Educational Farm Program by Ralston School, including the related structures outlined in the application, subject to conditions.

• As well, Council approved a full roof replacement for the Schuler rink facility. The work is estimated at $194,277 and will be funded from the county’s Building Reserve Fund.

Council also reviewed several planning and funding matters as part of its May 19 agenda.

One development permit application, DP 26/74, concerns a proposed 50-by-120-foot feed storage building for Keith and Amanda Traxel on their property northwest of Seven Persons. The application includes a requested setback relaxation of 9.5 metres to the centre of Range Road 80. The location would help support the couple’s growing farm operation by providing storage for feed used in their cattle business, while also allowing better room to maneuver tractors, trucks, and other equipment on the site.

Council also considered subdivision application SUB 26CY06, submitted by Benchmark Geomatics on behalf of Garrett Gill. The proposal would create a 4.63-hectare, or 11.4-acre, farmstead parcel from an unsubdivided quarter section east of Medicine Hat. The intent is to separate the existing yard site, which includes a residence and several accessory buildings, from the balance of the cultivated cropland.

Land use bylaw amendment matters were also before Council. Bylaw 2026/08 would rezone a 1.13-hectare parcel in the Hamlet of Seven Persons from Public Services District to Direct Control District. The required public hearing was held on April 21, and no comments or objections were raised. Council also dealt with proposed rezonings under Bylaws 2026/11, 2026/12, and 2026/14, each tied to separate applications intended to allow country residential development in different parts of the county. Administration recommended public hearings for all three bylaws at the regular June 16, 2026,c ouncil meeting.

Council also reviewed the allocation of annual operating funds under the county’s recreation grant policy. This year, $297,000 will be distributed to community associations, with an additional $18,500 provided for these associations to support small groups and clubs. The City of Medicine Hat and the Town of Redcliff will receive a combined $212,240 to reflect recreational facility usage by county residents in those communities. In addition, five capital grant applications were submitted this year, covering 10 projects and totaling $447,980.54—far exceeding the remaining capital budget of $113,480. Three applicants requested matching funds, while Walsh and Seven Persons, which occupy county-owned buildings, requested full funding for their projects. Council also considered several additional funding requests, including adding the Irvine & District Community Association to the annual grant policy with a proposed allocation of $2,500, and increases to maintain event support for the Dunmore, Schuler, and Elkwater community associations.

For more details on these and other Council matters, visit the Cypress County website.