The Town of Bashaw council heard a detailed report about their financials ending Dec. 31, 2025, and the report was positive. The report was made at a special council meeting held Apr. 29. Rural Alberta report/S.Salkeld

The Town of Bashaw council heard a detailed report about its finances for the year ending Dec. 31, 2025, and the report was positive. The report was presented at a special council meeting held Apr. 29.

Councillors heard a presentation from official auditor Gitzel & Co., represented by Scott St. Arnaud. In addition to the written audit report, St. Arnaud also gave a verbal presentation to councillors, noting that auditors examine information provided by town staff and compare it according to generally accepted Canadian accounting principles.

He pointed out Bashaw was a busy place in 2025. “You guys had a lot going on this year,” said St. Arnaud.

Some of the points he mentioned included that Bashaw's cash was up by about $520,000, a Local Government Fiscal Framework account had been created, restricted funds were up by about $100,000 over 2024, about a dozen properties were in tax arrears, which is not a pervasive issue, deferred revenue was up about $300,000, and the Town of Bashaw had no long-term debt.

He also noted in his report that a lawsuit filed years ago by developers whose substance abuse treatment centre proposal was rejected is still on the books. “The town is a defendant in a lawsuit for $4,200,000 plus interest, costs and other damages,” stated the auditor’s report. “To the date of the Independent Auditors’ Report, this action has yet to be settled and the outcome is not determinable. No provision for any loss has been recorded in the financial statements. A reliable estimate of any loss cannot be made at this time. The amount of any future settlement would be accounted for as a current transaction in the year of settlement.”

Other major projects undertaken recently included a change in software at the town office and a disruption to the arena’s brine plant last fall. St. Arnaud added that the 2025 financial statements essentially show a typical year for the Town of Bashaw, and the audit contained no surprises.

Councillors unanimously approved the 2025 audit as presented.

Policing priorities

Councillors discussed which policing priorities the Town of Bashaw should forward to the local RCMP detachment. They settled on three that are very common among rural communities: traffic enforcement, property crime and community policing, including visibility.

During discussion, councillors suggested RCMP focus on motorists who cross the double-solid line on Main Street. Councillors agreed this is a problem that needs to be addressed. While councillors agreed Bashaw RCMP tend to take an educational approach to their work, they suggested it may be past the education stage on Main Street. Councillors also mentioned speeding in school zones, theft from sea cans, post office traffic and street lighting as concerns.

49th Street construction

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Theresa Fuller gave a verbal update on the 49th Street construction project, which includes new water and wastewater utilities this year. She noted some property owners will have bushes removed that are encroaching on public property and that it is possible engineers and contractors could begin construction in the first week of May.

Fuller noted that residents in the affected area have been given written notice, the project will not affect the entire length of 49th Street, and alley access will remain possible.

The CAO noted contractors will likely have a laydown yard somewhere close to 49th Street and asked that Bashaw residents stay away from all contractor equipment and activities for safety reasons.