Council Meeting Highlights - April 16 & 30, 2025

APRIL 16 MEETING

Strengthening Regional Governance

Strategic Goal: Collaborative Partnerships

Claystone Waste Governance Updates

• Council directed the CAO to support several updates to Claystone Waste governance documents, including term extensions for directors and procedural changes to improve board operations. Council also approved the reappointment of Guy Bridgeman and Bernd Manz as Directors.

Public Hearing – Repealing Bylaw

• A public hearing for Bylaw #25-1168 was held with no submissions or attendees. Council proceeded to pass second and third readings to repeal outdated bylaws.

Regional Water Services Agreement

• Council extended the lease agreement for the potable water truck fill station at NE 35-50-20-W4 with the Highway 14 Regional Water Services Commission until 2030.

Claystone Waste Dividend Presentation

• Council received a presentation on the 2025 shareholder dividend from Claystone Waste.

 

Enhancing Infrastructure and Sustainability

Strategic Goal: Sustainable Infrastructure

Road Strategy Approved

• Council approved the 2025 10-Year Hard-Surfacing Road Strategy to guide future road improvement planning.

 

Supporting Lifestyle and Community Engagement

Strategic Goal: Lifestyle Enhancement

Camp Lake Hockey Camp Discount

• Council approved a one-time, 50% camping permit discount for participants in the Town of Viking’s July 2025 Hockey Camp, up to 2/3 campground capacity.

Proclamations Recognized

• Council acknowledged several national and provincial initiatives including:
  • Lights on After School (April 25)
  • National Volunteer Week (April 27–May 3)
  • Emergency Preparedness Week (May 4–10)
  • National Nursing Week (May 12–18)
  • Economic Development Week (May 6–10)
  • National Public Works Week (May 18–24)

 

Strengthening Leadership and Governance

Strategic Goal: Strong Governance

2025 Budget and Mill Rates

• Council approved the 2025 Operating Budget ($23,557,140) and updated the Capital Budget to $11,542,198. First and second readings of the Mill Rate Bylaw were passed, but third reading was not approved. (Council will consider third reading at a Special Council meeting scheduled for the evening of April 30, 2025)
• 2026 Budget meetings were scheduled for late August and early September.

 

Council Engagement

Strategic Goal: Accountability and Transparency

Council members reported attending a range of meetings and community events including:

• Tofield Joint Council Meeting
• Seed Plant, Ambulance, and Highway 14 Meetings
• Economic Development and BRAED Meetings
• Ryley, Tofield, Viking Library and FCSS Meetings
• Snow Goose Festival and Beaver Hills Biosphere Sessions
• Seniors Housing (ASHA) and Rural Crime Watch Events

 

Financial Oversight

Strategic Goal: Responsible Finance

2024 Audited Financial Statements

• Council accepted the 2024 audited financial statements as presented by MNP LLP.

 

APRIL 30 MEETING & PUBLIC HEARING

Strengthening Leadership and Governance

Strategic Goal: Strong Governance

Public Hearing – Community Standards Bylaw

• Council held a public hearing for Bylaw #25-1164 (Community Standards). No written submissions were received, and public attendees spoke in favour of the bylaw. Council heard a presentation from administration outlining the bylaw's intent and scope.

 

Financial Oversight

Strategic Goal: Responsible Finance

2025 Mill Rates Approved

• Following debate and a recorded vote, Council passed third reading of Bylaw #25-1171, setting the 2025 municipal tax mill rates. The bylaw was carried with four votes in favour and one opposed.

 

Note: Tax assessments and notices were mailed mid May. The Tax Calculator on our website has been updated to reflect the 2025 mill rates.

 

For more information on items discussed at the Council Meeting, please review the full Agenda Package for this meeting. New and/or amended Policies and Bylaws are uploaded to the County website after they have been signed.