Wildrose Assessment gave a presentation on the recent property assessments which were mailed out to residents. They explained property assessments are the basis to distribute the municipality’s tax amount outlined in the annual budget, in a fair and equitable manner. They noted assessments are assigned to each property for the purpose of property taxation and dollar value can mean either market value or regulated value–regulated values are set by the assessor for farmland as agricultural use value, and machinery and equipment as cost value; railways and Designated Industrial Property (DIP) regulated value is set by the province.
Residential properties, such as detached and semi-detached dwellings, individual condominium or townhouse units, and lots suitable for single dwelling are assessed at market value.
Anyone with questions or who would like to file a complaint about their property assessment is encouraged to reach out to Wildrose Assessments; questions can be asked of the assessor without starting the process of an assessment complaint.
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Manager of Economic Development Reg Johnston presented an update on the overall progress of the department in 2024.
A total of 25 new businesses have started up in Drumheller in the previous year. In October 2021, the unemployment rate was about 10 per cent; this has decreased to under five per cent, the lowest in the province.
On the real estate side of things, in December 2024, a total of 26 residential properties were listed; by end of December 18 active listings remained on the market with eight sold and an average price of $369,688.
A total of 558 development permits were issued, which has outpaced the previous five years; this accounts for a total construction value of an estimated $8.54 million.
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Manager of Recreation, Arts and Culture Rick Ladouceur presented an update on the Parks & Recreation Master Plan 2024-2026. This document was approved by council in 2023 and there were several projects completed in 2024, including Newcastle ball diamonds and extension of the Newcastle dog park.
Repairs to the Rosedale Ball Diamond Backstop is anticipated in spring 2025, as well as rink basketball hoops and pickleball lines to be painted at the Newcastle rink.
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A presentation was made regarding the proposed 6 Avenue connector project, which is part of the Downtown Area Revitalization Plan (DARP) and would connect South Railway Avenue via a connector road to bridge the intersection of Freson Bros to 1 Avenue East by the former 7-11 and Active Glass location.
It is anticipated construction will commence in the coming months with completion by September 2025. This project is currently out for bid, which will close on February 21. There is an estimated project cost of $1.39 million and the Town has requested grant funding of $650,000 from the province.
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The proposed 2025 Street Improveent Program (SIP) was presented. There are three primary priorities, including full roadway reserfacing of lower Newcastle, paving of three trail sections to extend or establish defined crosswalks, and full engineering and review in anticipation of completing work in 2026 on 4 Avenue SW, Bankview Drive, and Premier Close.
The 2025 Capital Buget allocated $750,000 for roadway resurfacing and $200,000 for enhancements to the sidewalk and trail system.
A Gravel Road Improvement Program (GRIP) is being reviewed by administration, and is anticipated to come before council in June to provide further information.

Drumheller Councillor Tony Lacher announced residents will begin receiving their 2025 Notice of Assessment for their properties in the next few weeks. He noted these are not property tax bills but are an assessment upon which property tax is based. Wild Rose Assessments will attend the February 10 Committee of the Whole meeting.
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Economic Development manager Reg Johnston presented council with a request to dissolve the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC). The group was formed in 2018 with the intent to promote the Drumheller region. During the group’s December 2024 meeting, a motion was passed to dissolve the group. However, the group would like for the Economic Development department to continue reporting directly to Mayor and Council and provide more regularly updating on progress, and set up task forces as necessary for any large Economic Development projects and investments as there may be opportunities to collaborate with other municipalities.
Council gave first and second reading to dissolve EDAC, then gave unanimous consent to hold third reading before giving third and final reading.
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Council approved Council Remuneration Policy LS-C-03.
Legislative Services manager Mitchell Visser explained there were some questions and recommendations council had brought forward during the January 13 Committee of the Whole meeting, and amendments to the policy were made following discussion during the meeting. This includes adopting the policy beginning October 27, 2025 to correspond with the election of a new council.
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Flood Program Director Deighen Blakely and technical advisor Mark Steffler presented council with a year-end update on the flood mitigation program.
The program has received additional funding from top ups and miscellaneous grants which has resulted in a total budget of over $81 million. As of December 31, 2024, a total of $62 million, or 76.4 per cent of the project budget has been spent over the six years of the program, including $1.25 million to date in expropriation-related legal costs and purchase of land.
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Council awarded the tender bid for the Nacmine and Rosedale Scarlett berm projects to Pidherney’s Inc for the amount of $4.3 million excluding GST for the Nacmine berm, and $6.2 million excluding GST for the Rosedale Scarlett berm.
The Nacmine berm will be approximately 2,700 metres and will extend from the corner of 1 Street and 3 Avenue in Nacmine to higher ground at 958 Hunter Drive; the Rosedale Scarlett project will be comprised of two berms located in east and west Rosedale, with the east berm being a 3,200 metre berm extending from the CN Rail embankment past the Star Mine Suspension Bridge and the other being located in west Rosedale and requires upgrading an estimated 150 metre section of berm.
Tree clearing is anticipated to begin in February 2025, with construction to begin in spring 2025 on both projects; construction for both projects is anticipated to be completed by end of November 2025, with landscaping to be completed by end of May 2026.
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Council gave first and second reading to Fees Rates and Charges Amending Bylaw 05.25. When the 2025 Fees, Rates and Charges Bylaw was passed in December 2024, a Request for Proposal for Safety Code services had not been approved; the request for proposal has since been approved and is scheduled to begin as of April 1, 2025, resulting in a need for an amendment to reflect this new contract.
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Council gave third and final reading of Drumheller Valley Sports Committee Bylaw 04.25 and disband the temporary Drumheller Sports Council Task Force.