Highlights of the Aug. 28 Lacombe county regular council meeting

Submitted

AUGUST 28, 2025

2024 MUNICIPAL INDICATORS

Council was provided with an overview of the 2024 Municipal Indicators results. In the 2024 reporting year, Lacombe County met or exceeded all indicators, except for Investment and Infrastructure and Infrastructure Age. The County is deemed “not at risk” according to the performance measures as set out by Alberta Municipal Affairs.

STAFF RETIREMENT POLICY REVISION

Council approved amendments to Policy AD(14) Staff Retirement. The updates include expanded employee eligibility and adjusted award amounts.

DUTIES OF COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS & BOARDS POLICY REVISION

Council approved amendments to Policy CC(3) Duties of Committees, Commissions & Boards. The updates will come into effect at the 2025-2026 Lacombe County Organizational Meeting.

REGIONAL COLLABORATION COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE – CITY OF LACOMBE,

TOWN OF BLACKFALDS & LACOMBE COUNTY

Council approved the Terms of Reference for a proposed Regional Collaboration Committee involving the City of Lacombe, Town of Blackfalds, and Lacombe County. The new committee, to be named the North Blindman River Tri-Municipal Collaborative, is intended to strengthen regional collaboration on issues of mutual interest and recommend areas for cooperation.

2026 OPERATIONS FLEET EQUIPMENT CAPITAL PURCHASES (2026)

The annual fleet evaluation and capital purchase process has identified a need to replace seven pieces of County equipment. By resolution of Council, the County Manager was authorized to tender and award for the purchase of the seven pieces of equipment at an estimated cost of $1,518,000 and to dispose of the existing units at an estimated trade-in or private sale value of $221,000. The difference between the purchase of the new units and the sale of the old units, estimated at $1,297,000, will be funded from the Fleet and Equipment Reserve.

UPGRADING OF ROADS TO SERVICE THE RESOURCE INDUSTRY POLICY REVISION

Council approved amendments to Policy OP(36) Upgrading of Roads to Service the Resource Industry. The updates include removing the five years or less wording regarding the life span of the coal bed methane wells and capping the maintenance security to $50,000 per company.

EAGLE BUILDERS REQUEST TO PURCHASE COUNTY LAND

Council authorized the County Manager to negotiate and execute a land purchase agreement with Eagle Builders for approximately 121.9 m2 (0.0301 acres) of a Lacombe County Public Utility Lot in the North Aspelund Industrial Park. RR 3, Lacombe, AB T4L 2N3 (Tel) 403.782.6601 (Fax) 403.782.3820 www.lacombecounty.com

SPARTAN DELTA CORP. PRESENTATION

Council received a presentation on Spartan Delta Corp. and their activities in Lacombe County from Mr. Russ Huck (Manager, Operations Engineering), Mr. Ojay Platt (Vice President, Production), Mr. Bruce Koss (Senior Land Agent & Community Relations Liaison), and Ms. Janet McNally (Senior Water Management Specialist).

CONDITION OF GRAVEL ROADS IN DIVISION 1 PRESENTATION

Council received a presentation on the condition of gravel roads in Division 1 from Ms. Melody McBride, Mr. Rod McDermand, Mr. Darryl McDermand and Mr. Colton Huybregts.

STANTON COMMUNITY CENTRE – REQUEST FOR TAX CANCELLATION

Council approved the cancellation of the 2025 property taxes on the Stanton Community Centre (Tax Roll No. 3923292002), which serves as a community hall used to host community gatherings and events.

SPARK INFRASTRUCTURE CORP. – 2024 & 2025 PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND PAYMENT PLAN REQUEST

A motion that Lacombe County approve the proposed payment plan from Spark Infrastructure Corp., which would lock down the 2024 and 2025 tax balance at $650,000 without late payment penalties, with six payments scheduled between September 15, 2025, and June 15, 2026, did not receive Council approval.