County News What's Inside
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County News Friday, July 20, 2018 | Volume 7 Future of Mirror Fire Department in jeopardy Despite with regulations,” explained Lacombe “We not only require 12 committed the best County Fire Chief Drayton Bussiere. individuals to join this department, but What’s Inside efforts over “At the end of the day, we need the they also need to complete adequate 2 Updated Strategic Plan the past 18 community to understand the impor- training to be able to safely respond months to tance of these minimum standards, as to calls,” said Bussiere. “Currently, 3 Tax Deadline August 31 revitalize well as how it will affect their service the Mirror Fire Department’s training the Mir- levels and potential impacts to insur- is limited and we rely heavily on Alix 4 Safety First ror Fire ance if the Fire Department is not to provide the manpower needed to Depart- revitalized.” safely and efficiently fight fires or to 5 Mirror Community Network ment, there respond to motor vehicle accidents.” 6 Environment News has been Over the past couple of years, signifi- no increase in volunteers for the fire cant focus on training standards for The County invites Mirror- 7 Operations News department. Lacombe County will be volunteers has come to the forefront holding a public meeting as one last in many areas. Currently, there is a area residents to attend a 8-11 Agriculture News revitalization effort on July 25, 2018, roster of five firefighters in Mirror; public meeting on July 25, to speak with the community about however, best practice requires a 2018, at the Mirror Commu- 13 Planning FAQs their options and the ramifications of minimum standard of 12 volunteers to nity Hall starting at 7:00 p.m. 14-15 Development Activity closing the fire department. make the department viable. The Alix to discuss the future of the Fire Department has been supporting 16 Ellis Bird Farm “We have to meet the minimum stan- the community with the Mirror Fire Mirror Fire Department and dards to make this department viable Department and will continue provid- the impacts if things don’t 17 Lacombe Regional Tourism and to perform the duties of a fire ing service to Mirror going forward if change. department safely, we need to comply Mirror Fire cannot be revitalized. 18 Farm Safety Day Highlights 20-21 Council Highlights Town of Blackfalds and Lacombe County working 26-27 Events Around the County together to address concerns around Lacombe Lake www.lacombecounty.com The Town of Blackfalds hosted the second Open House on County Councils will continue dialogue on this important the Northwest Area Master Stormwater Management Plan project.” on June 27. The evening featured a presentation on the updated plan followed by an in-depth question and answer “While the administrations of Lacombe County and the session with content experts and presented an opportunity Town of Blackfalds have discussed the concept of a Black- for public input on this project. falds NW Area Stormwater Management project or plan, Lacombe County Council has not discussed or endorsed it During the question and answer period the following infor- in any capacity,” said Reeve Law. “Relationships between mation was presented and is stated below for clarification: municipalities play a crucial role in future plans and proj- A statement made at the Open House may have been ects, and we appreciate the Town of Blackfalds helping to interpreted to indicate that Lacombe County Council publicly clear up any misconceptions that stemmed from endorsed the Northwest Stormwater Plan. This was not the public meeting.” the intent. Rather, the statement should have been that Publication Mail Agreement No 0040025170 Lacombe County administration, through recent discus- The proposed design has been completed to meet or ex- Return undeliverable items to: sions with Town of Blackfalds administration, supports the ceed Alberta Environment and Parks’ standards for storm- Lacombe County concept of developing of a Lacombe Lake Management water management design. The Northwest Area Master RR3, Lacombe, AB T4L 2N3 Plan with lake stakeholders. Stormwater Management Plan for the Town of Blackfalds aligns with the Wolf Creek and Whelp Brook Watershed “Over the past year, the Town has worked with its partners Master Drainage Plan, developed to protect this important and stakeholders to address concerns and issues brought watershed, which was adopted regionally in 2014 through forth from the June 2017 Open House,” stated Town of a partnership between the County of Lacombe, the Town of Blackfalds Mayor, Richard Poole. He added, “Town and Blackfalds, the City of Lacombe and Ponoka County. County News is available to read on our website every month. If you wish to stop receiving County News by mail, email [email protected] with your mailing address and we will take you off our mailing list. CountyCounty News News - -August July 20, 18, 2018 2017 County plans for the future with updated Strategic Plan Earlier this year Council and a number of County communications staff came together to complete a full review of the • Establishing a recreational trails network Lacombe County Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan • Initiating the idea of a regional wastewater Strategic Plan is an important document for Lacombe County as it strategy for Sylvan Lake 2018 - 2023 sets out our strategic priorities for the next five years • Civic addressing and identifies how we’re going to get there. • Reviewing the Lacombe Regional Fire Services Association The strategic planning process is essentially a • Constructing rural shops in the east and systematic way to develop the direction for our west areas of Lacombe County organization, to focus on what is really important, • Creating an online fire permitting system to identify issues and challenges, and to ensure the • Establishing divisional meetings for effective use of County resources. councillors • Creating an infrastructure plan for Mirror Since initiating the strategic planning process in • Formalizing Financial Reserve Policies 2005, a number of items have become a reality and • Creating an Agricultural Plastics recycling bettered the organization. A few of the successful program ideas include: • Establishing a servicing strategy for the You can find it on our website at www. • Regular meetings with our municipal commercial lands west of the QEII lacombecounty.com/index.php/documents1/ neighbours, MLAs, and MPs corporate-services-1/2978-strategic-plan-2018- • Establishing a public relations function We encourage you to review the document here and 2023-final-1. and improving the County News, website, see what priorities or action items are identified as social media and formal internal/external possibilities for the future. Lacombe County Mutual Aid Agricultural Plastics Doug Sproule Scholarship Recycling Program A partnership between Lacombe County, Red Deer County & Ponoka County Students who apply for the annual Lacombe County Peace Officer scholarship must submit an essay Designed to ensure the proper recycling of the plastic grain Mark Sproule, Environmental & on Emergency Preparedness, along bags, the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Program will be Protective Services Secretary with an application form to the Krista Rae Pannenbecker, and Lacombe County office by March FREE for Lacombe County, Red Deer County, and Ponoka County Fire Chief Drayton Bussiere 31st to be considered. Kenna County ratepayers. presented Kenna Fraser with the wrote in her essay "Taking from 2018 Lacombe County Mutual Aid something my mother says quite Doug Sproule Scholarship. The often, people are not 10-feet tall We are still finalizing the details. Stay tuned!! award, which honours the memory and bulletproof" to win this year's of Mark's father Doug Sproule, is award, from the Lacombe County designed to encourage students Mutual Aid Organization. to be aware of the importance of Don’t burn your ag plastics! emergency preparedness and Doug Sproule worked in the to consider careers related to emergency services field for many Emergency Services. years before successfully running for Lacombe County Council in We’re on Facebook! Kenna's $1,000 award will offset the 2010 and serving as Deputy Reeve. Lacombe County recently launched a Facebook page! cost of her first year at Mount Royal He passed away in March 2011 Stay up-to-date on the latest news and events: www. University in Calgary, where she is after suffering a heart attack while facebook.com/LacombeCounty. enrolled in their education program. on a house-building mission. Doug leaves a We are also on Twitter: @LacombeCounty 2 legacy of love for family, neighbours and friends. JulyJuly 20,20, 20182018 -- CountyCounty NewsNews DON'T FORGET: Taxes are due August 31 2018 Tax Tax payments are payable to Lacombe County and can be made using one of the following options: Installment • In person at the County Office during regular office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). We accept cash, cheque or Debit Payment Plan Card. • Deposited in the envelope mail box located at the road The Tax Installment Payment Plan entrance to the County Office. • By post dated cheque dated no later than August 31st of (TIPP) is a simple, secure and the current year. convenient way to pay your annual • By bill payment through internet banking (available through property taxes. When you sign up, most financial institutions. Contact our office at 403-782- monthly payments are automatically 6601 if yours is not currently available). When choosing withdrawn from your bank account this option, each property you are paying taxes for, must be paid separately and you must use the Ten on the 15th of each month. To Digit Roll Number as the Account Number. obtain an application form, contact • By TIPP (Tax Installment Payment Plan). For TIPP forms Lacombe County at (403) 782-6601 please see the TIPP section under Taxes on the website or or visit www.lacombecounty.com.