Councillor Update – Barb Castell – MD Foothills – Jan 2025

Barb Castell – Division 3

Happy New Year! I hope that everyone enjoyed the holidays.

Calgary Metropolitan Region Board (CMRB)
Foothills County Reeve Delilah Miller, along with all Foothills County Councillors, has lobbied for many years for a change in the CMRB. At the CMRB meeting in November, a change was announced by the Minister of Municipal Affairs that the Alberta Government will no longer fund CMRB, and membership is optional. This change restores autonomy to all of Rural Alberta. Foothills County was instrumental in initiating the change along with Rocky View County.

Foothills County – Save Money on your Taxes
Did you know you can save 6 % on your property taxes by prepaying on or before January 31, 2025?

Alternatively, you can get a 5% discount on your monthly Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP) if you enrol on or before January 31, 2025.

For more information: www.foothillscountyab.ca/government/taxes/discounts-penalties

Foothills County – Fee Bylaw Amendment
Prior to considering second and third reading to Bylaw 56/2024, the Council of Foothills County held a Public Meeting on Wednesday, December 11 at 1:30 p.m. Council reviewed and discussed the proposed Amendments, made a few minor changes and gave 2nd and 3rd reading to the Bylaw which will come into effect on January 1, 2025.

To view the amendments, go to: www.foothillscountyab.ca/node/1584

Foothills County Boards and Committees
Foothills County still has a few vacancies for positions on the Northwest Foothills Recreation Board (NWFRB) from residents living in Division 4 and 5.

For more information or to apply for a Board or committee position, go to: www.foothillscountyab.ca/government/council-committees/boards-committees

Leighton Art Centre
Don’t Miss Out! Art and Nature Summer Camp Registrations will open in JANUARY 2025. Check their social media and website for updates!

For more information: leightoncentre.org/parents/summer-camp

Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society (MRAS) – AGM
Congratulations to the newly elected MRAS Board of Directors!

President Colina Clark
Vice President Aryn Mything
Treasurer Brent Foster
Secretary Andrea Neumann
Directors: Sylvia Checkley, Kerry Dark, Colin Hill, Chit Lutchman, Natasha Phillipson, and Suzanne Sills

If you are new to the area or know of new residents who have recently moved here, MRAS is always looking for new volunteers. Maybe you have new neighbours who might like to volunteer and make new friends.

There is a contact spot on the MRAS website: www.millarvilleracetrack.com/get-involved

Christmas Bird Counts
As some of you know, I am an avid birder. Here is something you might not know.

“The Christmas Bird Count started in 1900 and is the longest running Citizen Science project in North America. Christmas Bird Counts are conducted on a single day between Dec 14 and Jan 5 within a 24 km diameter circle. Many are organized by Nature Alberta Member Clubs! Count birds in your local count circle to contribute data. Results are used to assess population and distribution trends of birds.”
– Nature Alberta

For more information about future bird counts and how you can get involved go to: naturealberta.ca

Below is one of my favourite birds that arrive in our area at this time of year.