Council Overview
Information from Drumheller Town Council of Committee of the Whole Meeting Monday, January 15, 2024
Drumheller Mayor Heather Colberg opened the meeting and passed the discussion to Councilman Tom Zariski about the property assessments and taxes. Starting in February, 2024, property owners in the town of Drumheller will receive their property assessment notice separately from their property tax notice.
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Council adopted the Monday, December 11, 2023 minutes as presented.
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Council adopted the information from the Thursday, November 23, 2023 Drumheller and District Seniors Foundation meeting minutes as presented. Councilman Tom Zariski was nominated for and accepted the position of Chairman. Zariski nominated Steve Wannstrom for the position of Vice-Chairman, which Mr. Wannstrom accepted.
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Council adopted the information of the Drumheller Public Library minutes of Wednesday, May 17, 2023, Wednesday, August 9, 2023, Wednesday, September 9, 2023 and the Annual General Meeting minutes of Thursday, June 22, 2023 as presented.
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Council moved to accept as information the Municipal Planning Commission minutes of Thursday, August 31, 2023, Thursday, September 14, 2023, Thursday, October 5, 2023 and Thursday November 2, 2023 meetings as presented.
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Council accepted the request for direction of the Proposed Draft Business License Bylaw. Changes to the Bylaw are to include the new Short-term Rental and Home-sharing rules and insurance directives. The third reading of this new bylaw will be Monday, January 22, 2024.
Council accepted the request for direction of the 2024 Draft Operating Budget Discussion. Director of Corporate and Community Services, Victoria Chan, stated that 33% of the $22.3 million Operating budget will go to paying Salaries and Benefits of the Town of Drumheller’s employees. Approximately 25% of the Operating budget will go to requisitions such as RCMP, Seniors care and Education. $213,270 will be paid out for Council Members Salaries. The tax-supported portion of the Operating Budget is $9,962,718, with an approximate 4% increase. $1,198,845 will be drawn from reserves to balance the budget.
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Council discussed the hiring of an Assistant Chief Administrative Officer to help with succession planning.
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Ms. Chan discussed the $4.1 million held in Drumheller’s Contingency Budget for fiscal shortfalls. There will be another $700,000 added this year.
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Recreation, Arts and Culture Manager, Rick Ladouceur, discussed the Parks and Recreation Master Plan for 2024 involving a potential Sports Council, revamping Newcastle Beach and the Newcastle and Rosedale ball diamonds. Mayor Colberg moved to further discuss the Master Plan and review it at another time.
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Council adjourned the meeting to a closed session.
Complete minutes from council meetings can be found on www.drumheller.ca once they have been adopted.