Lacombe County council has stopped short of committing funding to the Alternative Land Use Services program (ALUS) after receiving a proposal seeking annual financial support to continue operations in the municipality.

Council reviewed the request during its May 28 meeting after the matter was referred from the Agricultural Service Board earlier this spring.

ALUS is a stewardship program that works with agricultural producers to establish projects intended to provide environmental benefits while maintaining productive agricultural landscapes. The organization compensates landowners who undertake approved projects and provides ongoing maintenance payments.

According to information presented to council, ALUS Canada is seeking $55,000 annually from Lacombe County to cover administrative costs associated with delivering the ALUS Lacombe program. The funds would be paid to Red Deer County, which currently administers the program.

The proposal warned that without local funding support, ALUS programming in Lacombe County could end after Dec. 31, 2026.

Administration provided council with additional information requested by the Agricultural Service Board, including a breakdown of operating expenses and details about completed projects. Since its launch, the program has supported 60 projects involving 28 participants across the county. Those projects include off-site watering systems, riparian fencing, grazing management initiatives, tree and shelterbelt planting, hay management projects and crop conversion efforts. Together they represent approximately 930 acres.

The proposed budget allocates $33,000 toward staffing costs, along with office expenses, vehicle costs, advisory committee expenses and support services provided by ALUS Canada.

The request follows presentations made to the Agricultural Service Board in April, when representatives outlined the proposal and answered questions regarding administration costs and program results.

The proposal was ultimately received for information, with no funding commitment approved.