Town of Bow Island June 22 Council meeting highlights 

Posted on July 2, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Town of Bow Island’s Council met on June 22, opening the session with the adoption of the June 9 minutes. Council then moved through a focused agenda, making several decisions that affect local services, education partnerships, and community recognition. Here are the highlights.

Adoption of June 9 Minutes 

Items carried in the June 9 minutes include:

Resolution 2026-109: New Pickup Truck Approved

Councillor Dave Harrison moved to approve a capital purchase for a new town vehicle. Council voted to buy a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado for $52,000 plus GST and incidentals. The motion carried, adding a new pickup truck to the town’s fleet.

Resolution 2026-110: Joint Use Planning Agreement 

Councillor Lowell Leffler moved to enter into a joint use planning agreement with the Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Separate School Division. The agreement supports cooperation between the town and the school division on shared resources.

Resolution 2026-111: Remembrance Day Banners

Councillor Bill Ressler moved to approve, in principle, the placement of Remembrance Day banners on street lights throughout the community. The banners are intended to honour those who served.

The meeting continued with new business.

Bylaw 2026:07 Guarantee Bylaw 

Council considered a bylaw on second and third reading that would authorize the Town to guarantee 50 per cent of the North Forty Mile Regional Waste Management Services Commission’s borrowing for the construction of a new solid waste collection cell. The total project is estimated at $1.7 million, with the Commission seeking to borrow $930,000 from the Province of Alberta over a term not exceeding 15 years. The Town’s share of the guarantee would be $465,000 plus accrued interest and costs, with the County of Forty Mile No. 8 covering the remaining 50 per cent.

Bylaw 2026:08 Intermunicipal Assessment Review Board 

A bylaw to establish an Intermunicipal Assessment Review Board was presented for first, second, and third reading. The board would serve the Town of Bow Island, the Village of Foremost, and the County of Forty Mile No. 8, hearing assessment appeals across all three municipalities. The joint agreement would outline the board’s procedures, member duties, and governance structure, with members appointed by the joint Councils for terms of up to three years. If passed, the bylaw would also repeal Bylaw 2019:02.

Municipal Affairs Funding Letter 

Council received a funding allocation letter from Minister of Municipal Affairs Dan Williams, confirming Bow Island’s 2026 provincial funding.

The Town’s Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) capital allocation stands at $567,132 — which includes $143,390 in needs-based funding for smaller municipalities with a limited assessment base — while the LGFF operating allocation is $249,276.

An additional $172,492 has been confirmed through the Build Communities Strong Fund Community Stream.

Looking ahead, the Town’s 2027 LGFF capital allocation is projected at $609,386, with 2028 figures expected to be shared later this fall.

Clarifications on Sections of Bill 28 

Council also received information on new municipal transparency requirements under Bill 28.

Municipalities must now publish annual compensation details on their websites for any employee whose total compensation, benefits, and severance from the previous year exceeds the threshold established under the Public Sector Compensation Transparency Act. Disclosed information must include the employee’s name, position, compensation amount, non-monetary benefits, and any severance.

Municipalities must also continue reporting compensation for the Chief Administrative Officer and designated officers through their Financial Information Returns.

These changes are designed to align municipal disclosure practices with those of the broader provincial public sector and to strengthen accountability around the use of public funds.

Bill 28 also introduced changes aimed at enabling growth and affordable housing. The Municipal Government Act now permits municipalities to use automated systems to manage and issue development permits — a notable shift toward more efficient, digital-first processes.