MUNICIPAL DISTRICT BONNYVILLE NO. 87
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS December 18, 2019 & January 8, 2020
Keeping you informed of the services, business and development that affect YOU!
#1 Council Passes 2020 Budget – At its Committee meeting on December 18, 2019, Council adopted the $144,749,498 balanced 2020 Budget. The budget will be funded by $76.5 million in taxation revenue, $47.2 million from reserves, $11 million in grants and $10 million from sales, user fees, and other contributions. That being said, this budget shows no increase to the mill rates. The mill rates will be reviewed again in February after assessments are finalized. At the January 8 meeting, Council accepted the 2020 Budget and Business Plan, which discusses the budget in detail. The document is available on the M.D. website – md.bonnyville.ab.ca.
#2 Moose Lake Phosphorous Study – At its December 18 Committee meeting, Council heard from Dr. John Holz regarding his study on the internal phosphorus loading levels in Moose Lake. Holz’s study relied on core samples taken from the bottom of the lake in 2018. High phosphorous levels can cause the algae blooms that have been plaguing Moose Lake consistently for the past decade. Holz said an additional study from a different environmental firm would be necessary in order to measure how much phosphorous is going into the lake from outside sources (runoff, etc.) before a potential fix, including alum, could be considered. A copy of Holz’s report is available on the M.D. website under the Environment section on the Planning and Development Department page.
#3 Planning and Development Update – Council gave Third Readings for both of the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) documents with Village of Glendon and Summer Village of Pelican Narrows. There will be an open house for the Fort Kent Area Structure Plan (ASP) on Feb. 6, 2020. It will be held at the Fort Kent Seniors’ Hall from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. At the December 18 Committee Meeting, Council gave First, Second and Third Readings to the following Bylaws for the Renewal of a Road Allowance Lease – Bylaw 1730, Bylaw 1731, Bylaw 1732, Bylaw 1733, Bylaw 1734, Bylaw 1735, Bylaw 1736, Bylaw 1737, and Bylaw 1738.
#4 Funding Support – Council agreed to sponsor the Arts & Culture award, at the cost of $1,000, for the 2020 Women of Influence Awards, which will be held March 6 in Cold Lake.
#5 Briefly – At its December 18 Committee meeting, Council agreed to send a letter of support for the Town of Bonnyville, as it expresses interest in becoming a hub for the Regional Family Resource Network (RFRN), which is replacing the Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) ParentLink program. At the same meeting, Council also approved a request for $212,500 from the Town of Bonnyville for renovations to the VIP Suite and the Agriplex at the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre. Third Reading was given to the Procedural Bylaw at the January 8 Council meeting and adopted.