Photo: James Nibourg was elected County of Stettler reeve in a 4-3 council vote, replacing Larry Clarke. Allan Gano was selected as deputy reeve for the coming year. Screenshot

County of Stettler council has elected Ward 4 Coun. James Nibourg as reeve following a 4-3 secret-ballot vote at its annual organizational meeting.

Nibourg and Ward 3 Coun. Larry Clarke, the outgoing reeve, were the two councillors nominated for the position during the Oct. 27 meeting.

Council had voted earlier in the meeting to use secret ballots for its appointment decisions. Seven ballots were collected and counted during the public meeting, with four votes recorded for Nibourg and three for Clarke.

Council subsequently passed the resolution required to confirm the ballot result. Nibourg then took the oath of office and assumed the chair for the remainder of the meeting.

Ward 5 Coun. Allan Gano was returned as deputy reeve. Gano was the only councillor nominated for the position and was appointed after nominations closed. He also took the oath of office.

The reeve must be selected from among the seven councillors at each annual organizational meeting. The appointment takes effect immediately and continues until council appoints the next reeve. The deputy reeve is also selected annually and performs the reeve’s duties when the reeve is unavailable or the office is vacant.

Nibourg represents the Erskine South-Warden ward. According to his official County profile, he is a local farmer and businessman who has served on council since 2010. He was acclaimed to another term during the 2025 municipal election.

Clarke remains the councillor for the Botha-Gadsby ward, while Gano represents the Stettler ward.

Council also agreed to retain its existing seating arrangement and regular meeting schedule. Regular meetings will continue to be held at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.

The annual organizational meeting is used to establish council’s leadership, committee assignments, appointments and administrative policies for the coming year.