Photo: Kneehill council discussed a ratepayer evening with the same format and budget as previous years in the Hamlet of Torrington, but that motion was defeated Feb. 24 in a 2 to 2 vote, Hoppens and Machell-Cunningham in favour, McCook and Coun. Merle Anderson opposed. Screenshot

Kneehill County nixed the idea of “ratepayer evenings” in their current form when a motion to hold one in 2026 was defeated in a 2 to 2 vote. The motion was defeated at the Feb. 24 regular meeting of council.

Readers should note it was mentioned during discussion that three councillors — Jerry Wittstock, Lowell Olson and Darcy Penner — were absent from the meeting.

Councillors read a report from Communications Coordinator Christine Anderson regarding Kneehill County’s annual “ratepayer evenings,” which she described as a trade fair-like atmosphere intended for public engagement. “Kneehill County annually hosts public engagement with residents through ratepayer evenings,” stated Anderson’s report.

“The events provide a family-friendly opportunity for residents and ratepayers to come and engage with council and staff, ask questions and provide feedback. Facilitation is like a trade fair — each department has its own booth with department-specific information. A catered supper, kids’ activities and prize draws have also been provided.”

Anderson stated the ratepayer events were rotated to different parts of the county year to year, with two events typically held. The county budgeted $15,000 per year for ratepayer evenings.

Reeve Lonnie McCook stated he didn’t support ratepayer evenings, at least in their current form. “I’m not in favour of having any of it right now, especially this year,” said McCook.

The reeve stated that, with a new council in place, the events should be cancelled; he added that he didn’t think the public supported them anyway. “From what I’ve heard from our ratepayers, they’d rather have individual divisional meetings,” said McCook.

“I mean, when we’re spending money to feed people and especially at these events that half of them aren’t even ratepayers … that don’t even pay the bills, I’m not in favour of it,” said the reeve. “Basically, it’s just called a dog and pony show out in the county and it doesn’t accomplish anything that I see.”

McCook clarified he sees value in public engagement, referring to “town hall”-style events held in the past where councillors mostly answer questions from the public. “That’s the direction we think we need to go,” said the reeve.

Anderson stated ratepayer evenings since 2019 have featured county managers and staff who can answer questions from the public, FCSS helping with supervising kids, and that the events seemed reasonably well attended.

Coun. Richard Hoppens observed each division should hold its own public engagement but also stated he saw value in events where county staff are available to the public and suggested one more “ratepayer meeting” in 2026 to gauge public interest.

Coun. Laura Lee Machell-Cunningham noted she already holds her own town hall divisional meeting, but added she’s attended all of Kneehill County’s previous ratepayer evenings. “People really do enjoy them,” said Machell-Cunningham, noting she didn’t see many non-residents at the events she attended. However, Machell-Cunningham did note she heard from a ratepayer who also wanted to return to town hall-style events.

Coun. Hoppens moved that Kneehill County hold one 2026 ratepayer evening with the same format and budget as previous years in the Hamlet of Torrington, but that motion was defeated in a 2 to 2 vote, with Hoppens and Machell-Cunningham in favour and McCook and Coun. Merle Anderson opposed.