It didn’t take long for some newly elected councillors to make their presence felt at the first Kneehill County regular council meeting following the recent municipal election.

At the Oct. 28 regular Kneehill County council meeting, the agenda featured only one regular business item, basically an introduction to major governing documents that was to be given by Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Mike Haugen.

A brief discussion was held at this point over why the regular meeting agenda only had one item on it. Haugen explained since the councillors already went through a five-hour organizational meeting earlier in the day, there may not be enough time to do more than discuss governing documents. Haugen stated upcoming council meetings and committee of the whole (COW) meetings will see more detailed presentations of various departments too.

Haugen provided councillors with a memo outlining the many documents, then began discussing the first one, the strategic plan. Haugen introduced the strategic plan by describing it as a vision for what the councillors would like the municipality to look like in, say, 20 years.

Reeve Lonnie McCook, elected to the chair earlier in the day, interjected at this point by stating that talking about a 20-year plan may be premature for at least some of the councillors. “Everyone got voted in here not to continue on with the way the structure is as it stands,” said McCook. “One of the things that we got to look at is how we want this county structured right away. That’s the discussion we’ll be having. Then we can get into this.

“One of the things that came up...is that the municipal plan and stuff that you guys have worked on isn’t necessarily what we need or what we’re here to represent right now.”

McCook added that a discussion of Kneehill County’s structure should come before any long-range planning, because McCook described plans to change that structure, which could affect any long term planning.

Coun. Richard Hoppins noted that the agenda item did state, “Council will have opportunity early in this term to review the plan and to preserve, amend, or update it as council determines.”

Hoppins asked if this is what McCook was referring to.

McCook repeated that he believed short term planning was more important than long term planning right now. “I believe we need to get control of what’s happening in this county right now,” said McCook.

The reeve also observed that this is just a thought that came from his division and a few other divisions.

Coun. Merle Anderson stated he agreed with McCook. “Why proceed on a plan that most of the people or the people in my area decided they didn’t want a part of?” asked Anderson. “We’re wasting money.”

Anderson used the example of Horseshoe Canyon, a former provincial park that Kneehill County took ownership of a few years ago. Anderson stated that if the county had held a referendum on whether to take ownership of the canyon or not the ultimate decision would have been more valid.

McCook clarified his earlier comments about changing Kneehill County’s operations. “I’m talking everything from the top down,” said the reeve. “As an elected official I don’t think there’s room for another four years continuing on with the direction that we’re on right now or the direction that’s been going on for the last 20 years.”

Anderson went on to state that he felt some of Kneehill County’s processes stifle or shutdown public comment or communication.

At this point, the CAO continued on with his presentation of Kneehill County’s key documents and processes.