September 2024
Thank you for your feedback and participation! Public input on the Transportation Master Plan (TMP), Land Use Bylaw (LUB) review, and Land Management Plan (LMP) is essential in shaping Council’s policies and bylaws. Your involvement continued with the TMP Open Houses held on September 10 and 11. The LUB revisions will soon be presented to Council, followed by a Public Hearing after the first reading—the date will be announced. The "What We Heard" report on the LMP is available on our website and social media. Council will seek further input as we review the 82,000 acres of municipal lease agreements and proposals.
We celebrated our Municipality’s 70th Anniversary! Thank you to our residents, partners, former Council members, MLA Hunter, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, and neighbouring municipalities for joining us. Special thanks to Reeves Merrill Harris, Hank Van Beers, and Brian Brewin for their assistance with the celebration video. If you missed it, the video is available on our YouTube Channel. It highlights the vision and hard work of our residents and the blessings of living in our municipality. We have enjoyed celebrating our Anniversary at the Vauxhall, Barnwell, and Taber parades, and we are excited to launch an online store where you can purchase MDT apparel. A portion of the proceeds will support a charity.
In July, Premier Smith and MLA Hunter visited Council. Together with the Town of Taber, we discussed concerns about unpaid oil and gas taxes, challenges with Alberta Energy Regulator legislation, the Highway 3 Twinning Project, and the Agri-Food Corridor. We emphasized the importance of food production, which relies on water stability through irrigation, off-stream storage, and drainage. Premier Smith was impressed during the tour of the completed Phase 1 of the Horsefly Regional Emergency Spillway Project. This Project ensures food and water security during overland flooding, thanks to the collaboration of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, the Government of Alberta, municipal partners, and the St. Mary River Irrigation District. We also highlighted the need for rural municipalities to receive equal benefits as urban counterparts in senior and social housing, and for long-term sustainable funding for HALO with consistent dispatching.
Our Council and Administration remain dedicated to serving residents. Public Works is focused on grading, graveling, and infrastructure improvements, while staff continues to receive training to enhance our 2,400 kilometers of roads. Agricultural Services is diligently managing ditches and weed issues, and we appreciate residents reporting problem areas. The Agricultural Service Board will see changes this fall as we seek three ag-minded individuals from the community to join the board alongside four Councillors. Our Hamlets look great, thanks to staff and volunteers who keep our communities beautiful. Our volunteers for Regional Fire Services continue to train and respond to emergencies. If you’re interested in joining this important department, please contact Chief Coté.
We are grateful for the return of AHS Ambulance Services to the Vauxhall area and the partnership that the Councils of the Town of Vauxhall and the MD of Taber have been able to nurture for the betterment of our communities. This service enhances the safety of our residents. Thank you to the volunteers who sustained the service until the new model became operational.
Council receives several financial requests. The "Donations to Community Organizations, Programs, Events, and Activities" policy and application guide our decisions. Special requests outside the policy can sustain organisations and support growth, often as matching funds for specialized grants. Council carefully considers the value to residents before approving funding.
We welcome our new Director of Corporate Services, Mr. Mike Passey. He immediately assisted KPMG auditors in completing the 2023 Financial Statements, now available on our website, and prepared the 2025 budget discussion documents. Council will undergo comprehensive deliberations on capital and operational budgets.
How To Stay Connected:
- Councillors: Contact information is available on our website.
- Website: Find detailed event information, departmental updates, and application forms.
- Newsletter: View it on our website or call to receive it by mail.
- SCAR Notify: Sign up on the website for weekly updates, important alerts, and emergency notifications.
- Meetings: Council, Committee of the Whole, Subdivision & Development Authority, and Agricultural Service Board meetings are open to the public. Council meetings are recorded and available on the MDT YouTube channel, with an opportunity for public engagement at the beginning of each meeting.
- Service Requests: Submit concerns or complaints through Service Tracker or our Mobile App. Bylaw concerns can be submitted anonymously.
- Online: Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and our new WhatsApp channel.
Health is vital to our well-being. If you’re struggling, seek medical help. For mental health support, contact FCSS at 587-370-3728, the Alberta Farm Mental Health Network at agknow.ca, or the Do More Agriculture Foundation at domore.ag. For emergencies, call 9-1-1.
Council looks forward to engaging with residents at our next Coffee with Council on October 2 at 7 PM at the Main Operations and Maintenance Facility in Taber.
Have a safe and productive harvest, and please travel safely on the roads, with special consideration for school buses and farm equipment.
