Fire Advisory: Foothills County has instated a Fire Advisory at the time of writing this article, which is downgraded from the previous Fire Restriction. The County has received enough moisture to move to an Advisory. We will continue to monitor moisture levels and fire risk throughout the County and may update the status as needed. Fire Permits are being issued, but may be cancelled at any time with little to no notice. Although this is not a Fire Ban, the County asks citizens to use extra caution and be extra vigilant when burning. Soaking the area adjacent to the fire pits with water is recommended. Citizens are also reminded that obtaining a fire permit is mandatory at all times. Permits can be applied for on the County website at www.mdfoothills.com. Please keep a check on all municipalities regarding their current fire restriction status: albertafirebans.ca.
FireSmart: There is still a high fire risk in our west country. Download the new “FireSmart Begins at Home” App and complete a guided FireSmart assessment of your property. The App will point out simple actions you can take to reduce wildfire risks. Now is the perfect time! Download from Google: bit.ly/2kea78w or Apple: apple.co/2kyHX8F
FireSmart 101 Course: Now available online. Check this out to learn more about FireSmart in our Communities: https://firesmartcanada.ca/programs-and-education/firesmart-101/
FireSmart Alberta is also on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FireSmartAlberta
Tax Letter excerpt: In your 2020 Tax Notice, you will be receiving a letter of explanation, which notes that Council and Administration were able to reduce the municipal component of your 2020 taxes by 2.36% without significant changes to the services being provided. The remainder of your taxes are made up of amounts for seniors foundation, 911 and fire dispatch, recreation, fire services, libraries, and amounts requisitioned by the Government of Alberta for education, policing (RCMP) and designated industrial property. This year we saw an increase of 14.34% in these amounts due to significant increases in the funding required for recreation, fire services and the cost for RCMP charged by the Province. The RCMP requisition is new in 2020, and is a result of the Province requiring small urban and rural municipalities to pay the cost of increasing the number of officers working in rural Alberta. For Foothills County this year, the cost of this requisition was $665,963. As a result of these increases, even with a reduction to the municipal component of your taxes, many of you may see an increase in your tax bill. About half of the County’s tax rolls will see a 0% increase, but some will have an overall increase of 1.0 – 2.4%, ($1 – $100) for the 2020 tax year.
Amended Design Guidelines: Council directed Administration to make amendments to the draft Foothills County Screening Standards and Highway 2A Industrial Area Structure Plan Design Guidelines. These were reviewed on May 13, 2020. Next, an online engagement process will be undertaken regarding the amended documents, which will later be brought back to council with a summary of feedback received and for consideration for approval with or without further revisions. Watch for consultation information to be posted through our social media.
Getting our office ready: At the appropriate time in the relaunch, we hope to open our office to public again. We are taking measures to provide protection to those who enter the building and those who work there. Please continue to call or email first before attending the physical office location as the date of opening has not been confirmed yet. We will keep you posted on our website and other social media. Main office phone number: 403.652.2341
Public access to local Waterways: Foothills County has the blessing and challenge of access to rivers and creeks via some municipal reserves and road allowances that adjoin these locations. Due to the many behavioural issues being faced, we have had to take action in some places to limit access to foot traffic. Since we recognize that many law-abiding citizens also want to enjoy these places, we have decided to do an inventory of all our river and creek accesses to determine if an adjustment in the current management of these areas is needed. I will provide an update on this when information becomes available..
Best Regards, Councillor Suzanne Oel
For Other News & Updates:
Please visit my website: suzanneoel.com
www.facebook.com/councillorSuzanneOel
