It has been a busy year for Wheatland County as it adapts to new economic realities as it forges ahead towards the future.
    The Mail caught up with Reeve Glenn Koester to look at some of the accomplishments of 2016. He said the County has been working on a couple programs that show great support for the residents and communities in the County.
    The Community Enhancement Regional Board (CERB) seems to be working well and we are very happy with that,” he said.
    “This program allows community groups in the County to apply for funding to enhance their communities.”
    This program allows organizations such as arena boards, libraries, and community associations to apply for funding. The program has been around for about three years.
    Another supportive program for municipalities, one that serves the residents of Wheatland County, was introduced this year. It is called the Community Regional Infrastructure Service program (CRISP) and is designed to provide municipalities with unconditional funding for programs and facilities. In its first year, it distributed almost $750,000.
    The County teamed up with municipalities to continue providing residents with safe potable water, and the Wheatland Municipal Partnership broke ground on a new waterline that will eventually supply water to Gleichen, Standard, Rockyford and Hussar. The first phase includes a raw water line to the Standard Water Treatment Plant and potable water to Gleichen.
    “I think our raw water line is half done, and now Rockyford, (second phase) has been approved, the engineers are busy with that,” said Koester. They are aiming for it to be completed in the spring of 2018.
    With the downturn in the economy, the County saw challenges, but were able to deliver a balanced budget.
    “Our linear (non-residential) is going down, it went down 11 or 12 per cent last year,” said Koester. “We have a few delinquent payments too. Not paying them is one thing, but we are still paying the provincial school taxes that are owed. We don’t collect any, but we still have to send them, I find that extremely unfair.
    The Alberta Association of Municipal District and Counties (AAMD&C) is continuing to lobby for its membership to see that addressed.
    He is positive looking towards 2017. The County is in the midst of updating its land use bylaw to be ready for new opportunities. He is encouraged by strengthening resources prices and a recent open house for a new wind project in the Hussar area.
    “I’m fairly optimistic,” he said.

    2016 has come and gone in Starland County and Reeve Barrie Hoover took a moment to recount some of the challenges and achievements over the last year.
    He said despite weather challenges this year, agriculture fared better than most expected.
    “2016 started out, in the farming area, dry and later the rains came and came. We had an early frost. Most crops are in the bin thanks to a late winter. It was another challenging year but most farmers said crops were better than expected,” he said.
    He adds the weather also delayed some projects.
    Road building was delayed and was put to next year’s plan because of the amount of rain received through the season.
    The economic situation in the province had its affect on the county.
    “The County was subject to shrinking assessment and thus lower tax revenue so adjustments had to be made to keep within budgets,” he said. “Less road maintenance because of the downturn of the gas and oil industry.”
    There is also more economic uncertainty due to changes in policy at the provincial level.
    “Concerns with our new government, mainly of what the carbon tax is really going to cost for every taxpayer. Government is again downloading services to the municipalities with little or no funding. No one seems accountable for their decisions,” he said.
    “In the New Year we already know that again, the tax assessment is going down and this means tax revenue will be down so the budgets are going to have to be adjusted so taxes can remain stable. We are trying to keep services at the same level or better, while we know that there will have to be cuts to accomplish this.”
    Another interesting issue this year was the thought there was in County employees forming a union but, when it came to a vote, it was no.
    Going forward, the County has a big challenge in 2017, as CAO Ross Rawlusyk has decided to retire in the spring.
    “We are happy for him but not for us. Ross has done so much, in thirty-plus short years, building the County as it is today. I am not sure how we are going to fill the very large shoes he has left. We wish him all the best for many years to come.”