Ponoka County Declines Rimbey School Funding Request, Cites Provincial Burden
Council Denies School Funding Request
Ponoka County Council declined a request for $5,000 to help build a sensory room at the Rimbey Junior/Senior High School, citing concerns over the growing financial demands placed on municipalities by the province for education.
The request came from parent advocate Kelly LeBlanc. The Town of Rimbey had already committed $5,000 to the project and asked the County to match its contribution.
While councillors acknowledged the value of creating a calming space for students with sensory and emotional regulation needs, they ultimately took no action. The minutes note their concern with “ever-increasing provincial school requisitions as well as the expectation on municipalities to fund school-related programs.”
“Gap” in Rural Victim Services Prompts Action
Council plans to meet with local RCMP and area Fire Chiefs to address what it called a “growing gap in mental health and victim supports” for rural residents.
Councillors expressed concern that since the province regionalized Victim Services, rural areas have seen a noticeable drop in care and follow-up for families affected by traumatic events.
Following their meeting with emergency services, the council intends to bring recommendations forward to provincial Minister Mike Ellis.
Reeve Criticizes Provincial Minister
Reeve Paul McLauchlin described a mandate letter from a provincial minister as “anti-municipal and heavily influenced by lobbyists.”
His comments came during a report on a Central Rural Municipalities of Alberta meeting where the province's Mature Asset Strategy was discussed. McLauchlin stated he will prepare a formal response to deliver at the next meeting on the strategy.
Other councillors who attended the meeting virtually commended the Reeve for his strong representation of municipal interests.
Development and Regional Projects
Council unanimously approved a development permit for a new permanent home for Green Nation Naturals in Maskwacis.
The 1,200 sq. ft. retail building will be constructed at Lots 1–4, Block 6, Plan 5881AB, replacing the cannabis retailer's current modular structure. No concerns were received from Alberta Transportation or the community about the project.
Council also threw its support behind a regional water project. It unanimously voted to support a grant application to study the feasibility of a regional water and wastewater system for the Town of Bentley and municipalities around Gull Lake, including Ponoka and Lacombe Counties.
Other Business
* Payments: Council approved $1,760,459.75 in payments for the month of September.
* STARS Update: STARS Air Ambulance reported it flew 24 missions in Ponoka County between January and September. The county provides $20,000 in annual funding to the service.
* New Bylaw: A new bylaw was passed to formally establish administrative structures and fees for processing Access to Information requests.
What's Next
The next municipal election is October 20, with an advance poll on October 18. The newly elected council’s organizational meeting is scheduled for October 28.