The County of Stettler council faced difficult decisions over how to distribute limited community funding as it considered applications to the Community Investment Program during its June 10 meeting.

The Community Investment Program has an annual budget of $15,000 to support local events and initiatives through two funding streams: New Investment and Annual Support. Both streams share the same budget allocation and application deadlines. The next application deadline is Dec. 31, 2026.

Council had previously approved a total of $5,000 in Community Investment Program funding for the Stettler Music Festival, Buffalo Lake Big Jack Classic, Storm Mountain Outfitters and the Byemoor Bull-a-Rama, leaving $10,000 remaining in the 2026 budget.

For the May 31 intake, council received 10 applications requesting a combined total of $24,800. One application was submitted after the deadline.

Deputy Reeve Allan Gano noted that the Stettler Friends of the Library had missed the application deadline but submitted a letter on June 3 requesting support for Culture Days programming. Administration advised the organization had received $1,000 through the program in previous years.

Gano suggested the council adhere to the established deadline and not entertain late applications.

Councillors agreed the policy had been created to bring consistency and control to the funding process.

Coun. Justin Stevens said council had previously dealt with requests as they arrived throughout the year, making it difficult to manage the budget.

"The whole reason we created this policy was because in the past they were getting one or two requests a month in a haphazard way and it was very hard to budget. It snowballs when you have one or two requests every month of the year," Stevens said.

"We need to start enforcing deadlines. The policy was created to get cost control and some structure, and that is why I agree with the deadline."

Council also discussed a $2,500 request connected to the Battle River School Division.

Stevens said concerns have been raised because the school division falls outside the county.

Discussion turned to a $1,000 request from Sharebear Playschool for kitchen space improvements. Several councillors questioned whether the Community Investment Program should fund a privately operated organization.

Stevens acknowledged the play-schools importance in the community but expressed concern about multiple levels of government support.

"The play-school is a valuable group for our community, but we are starting to stack government subsidies," he said, noting childcare already receives federal, provincial and municipal support.

Council also debated a request from the Stettler District and History Book Society.

"I'm a little confused as to why we received the same request, a second request for the exact same amount," Stevens said. "I wish they were here so we could ask some questions."

He said the previous request had been described as support to purchase additional books after the initial printing run because the printing plates would be destroyed afterward.

"I assume the printing run was done. Is this the intent to purchase more books for resale, or is it a donation?" he said.

Council was advised that printing is expected to take place at the end of July and that sponsorships have helped reduce the cost of the publication. The books are currently priced at $400 per set with a $200 deposit, while the timing of the printing run depends on the number of sales received.

Coun. Dave Walker said his constituents had previously opposed this funding decision and would likely continue to do so.

"My ratepayers would not like that at all. They didn't like it before and they won't like it now," Walker said.

Councillors also discussed the expectation that organizations receiving support should work toward becoming more self-sufficient and seek alternative funding sources over time.

Council ultimately approved Community Investment Program funding of $1,500 for the Erskine Recreation Board, $1,800 for the Stettler Town and Country Museum, $1,500 for the Bust Out Rodeo Association, $500 for the Stettler Junior and Senior High School Rodeo, $1,000 for the Red Willow Agricultural Society and $2,000 for the Big Valley Agricultural Society.

Council declined to provide funding to the Battle River School Division request.

Following the Community Investment Program decisions, the chair introduced a separate motion to provide an additional $1,000 to the Stettler District and History Book Society from the Rural Development Fund to assist with printing costs.

The motion carried, Walker was the only councillor opposed.