Ponoka County Approves $3.2 Million in Spending, Library Budget Hike
Roadwork and Infrastructure Updates
Ponoka County Council approved $3,287,044 in monthly spending and received updates on several major road projects during its Tuesday morning meeting.
Public Works Superintendent B. Rose reported that Township Road 450 is now complete. Work on Township Road 424 is expected to wrap up within two weeks. Infrastructure upgrades also continue along 2nd Street in Maskwacis.
Chip seal projects are moving forward in Meadowbrook View and the Village at Wolf Creek. However, Rose noted that calcium treatments on heavy-traffic routes are breaking down faster than anticipated.
Council reviewed a request to pave Township Road 422 east of Highway 815. The project is estimated to cost $120,000 per mile. Officials are currently debating how to fund busier routes without raising taxes, noting that while pavement handles traffic better, it often restricts the heavy weight loads required by local farmers.
Land Reclassified for Hobby Farm
Following a public hearing, Council unanimously approved By-Law 21-25-ZA to reclassify 15.53 acres of land in the SE 1-42-24-W4 area.
The property, owned by Jim McLaren, was moved from an Agricultural District to a Country Residential Hobby Farm District. The decision passed through all three readings during the session, allowing the development to proceed.
Library Costs and Reserve Funding
Council approved the 2026 Parkland Regional Library System budget, which will see municipal requisitions rise by 1.84%.
The cost to the County will increase from $9.81 to $9.99 per resident, totaling $99,880.02 for the year. To offset the impact, Council voted to transfer $324,060 from reserves to cover the requisition increase and specific capital expenses, including technology replacements and a new vehicle for the library system.
Intermunicipal Tension and Rural Concerns
Councillor reports highlighted ongoing friction regarding the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) with the Town of Ponoka. Councillor B. Liddle described the recent meetings as "challenging," though Councillor D. Weir noted that administration is working on agreements modeled after the Rimbey system.
Other local concerns raised by residents and addressed by Council included:
* Traffic Hazards: 12-foot-high corn planted to the edge of a road is currently obstructing visibility for drivers.
* Water and Fracking: The Medicine River and Blindman Watershed groups are scheduled to meet with provincial policy writers to discuss water use related to hydraulic fracturing.
* Pest Control: Hawkweed is reportedly spreading in ditches near Highway 20 and Hoadley.
* Facility Revenue: The Ponoka Agricultural Event Centre Society (PAECS) reported a drop in revenue due to lower attendance at industry shows.
Financial Position
As of August 31, 2025, the County’s financial statements and budget reports were accepted as information. The August cheque register showed a total outflow of $3.28 million to cover operations and contractor payments.
What’s Next
Reeve P. McLauchlin is expected to bring a resolution regarding water use and hydraulic fracturing to the Rural Municipalities of Alberta fall convention.
The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for October 14, followed by the annual organizational meeting on October 28.