News Releases

May 9, 2018

News Release

Kneehill County holds the line on Municipal Taxes.

Kneehill County Council is pleased to announce that there will be no increase to municipal taxes in 2018. Although Kneehill County has lost significant assessment, particularly in the oil and natural gas sector, through solid management of our revenue over expenses we remain in a good financial position. Kneehill County has been able to maintain its high level of service to our ratepayers while controlling expenses in areas that have no or minimal impact on our residents.

The County continues to have an excellent road network and there are significant road construction and upgrades planned through this year’s construction season. Many of our residents enjoy the convenience of our rural water lines and Council has dedicated almost $5 million dollars to an upgrade to the Churchill Water System which will improve the service for current users, and allow for expansion to those in the area who have not had the opportunity to connect to a County water line. In 2018 we have been able to expand the Peace Officer Department to provide greater enforcement visibility in our rural areas. Our new Kneehill County Fire Chief will be creating a long term strategy for fire protection for Kneehill County rural and hamlet residents.

2018 will continue to be a great year for Kneehill County and we look forward to hearing from our residents to gain feedback on the services we provide and on our overall direction.

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For more information, contact Deb Grosfield, Communications

Kneehill County 403-443-5541

PDF VERSION

May 3, 2018

News Release

Kneehill County aids the Village of Carbon in Flood Recovery

At the Special Council Meeting held Thursday, May 3, 2018, Kneehill County Council moved to aid the Village of Carbon in their Flood Recovery and Mitigation, providing $200,000.00 from the Contingency Fund Reserves to assist in repairs and reclamation.

While Kneehill County regularly experiences some measure of flooding from spring run-off every year, 2018’s Overland Flooding event was unprecedented. Late spring snow, combined with frozen ground and rapid snow melt, led to both the Three Hills and Kneehills Creek overflowing their banks, causing widespread damage and prompting numerous road closures. The effects of the flooding proved especially disastrous to the Village of Carbon’s east end.

A main source of Village revenue, at one point Carbon’s East Campground was completely under water. The campsites have been washed out and the area is now covered in a thick layer of silt and debris. The Village’s Ball Diamonds, the swinging pedestrian bridge and the walking paths along the creek have also been destroyed by the flood waters.

While clean-up in Carbon has begun, the total damage and cost of repairs are extensive. As recreation is vital to the Village’s economy, Kneehill County Council is ready to respond and assist in Carbon’s Flood Recovery.

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For more information, contact Debra Grosfield, Communications

Kneehill County 403-443-5541

PDF VERSION

May 2, 2018

News Release

Kneehill County announces Rural Fire Chief

A new rural fire chief, Daniel Ross, former fire chief of Charlie Lake Fire Department, will be joining the Kneehill County Protective Services Department on May 22, 2018.

Kneehill County Council set the Rural Fire Strategy as one of its primary strategic goals to accomplish in 2018. The fire strategy is a key document which will provide guidance for Council to ensure the protection of Kneehill County residents in regards to a rural-focused fire service.

Dan Ross joined the military out of high school serving 6 years with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based out of Victoria, BC and Calgary, AB which included two United Nations Peacekeeping Missions to Croatia. He then became a military firefighter for the remaining 14 years of his military career, including serving one tour in Afghanistan and completing various fire service certifications such as Firefighter Level 2, Hazardous Materials Technician and all four levels of Fire Officer certification as well as a Bachelor Degree in Business.

Dan retired from the military in 2011 and moved into municipal firefighting with Yellowhead County as a Deputy Fire Chief for 9 departments. After 6 years with the YCFD, Dan continued to expand his portfolio by becoming the Manager of Emergency Services and Fire Chief for the Peace River Regional District where he received his Chief Fire Officer Designation, becoming recognized as a member of the International Association of Fire Engineers.

Dan has a daughter in Lethbridge and will be welcoming his first grandchild shortly. When not in the fire station, Dan spends as much time possible camping around Alberta.

Dan is looking forward to the new adventures with Kneehill County and is anxious to start working with our staff and the fire departments of the area.

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For more information contact Debra Grosfield, Communications

Kneehill County 403-443-5541

PDF VERSION

April 24, 2018

News Release

Council focuses on County Resident Needs

Over the course of the last four years, Kneehill County has seen a significant decrease in revenues. This decrease has caused Kneehill County Council to search for budget efficiencies that will help to maintain the quality and level of services that County residents expect. The costs of running the business of Kneehill County have increased each year. The County’s staff have worked hard at minimizing the impacts of the increases by reducing operating budgets and Council has resisted increasing property taxes of our residents for many years.

The provinces’ downloading of greater responsibilities, reductions to our assessment formula by the province, the rising costs of fuel and equipment, the carbon taxes, plus the rising costs of the County’s business operations, have forced Council into some difficult decisions. Most important however, is our declining taxable assessment base. Since 2013 Kneehill County has seen its overall assessment decline by 25% or approximately $500 million in assessable properties. With our current tax rates this has meant an estimated loss in 2018 of $5.6 million dollars in industrial tax. Combined with the province’s reductions to the assessment formula which resulted in a loss of $1.8 million dollars, Kneehill County is faced with significant revenue losses for the 2018 budget year.

To minimize the effects on Kneehill County residents, Council has determined their focus should be on Kneehill County residents and the services they require, and Council will be implementing policy changes to reflect this new focus. The first step in the new program focus is to announce the cancellation of the Regional Resource Urban Sustainability Grant given annually to our neighbouring towns and villages. The approximately $1 million dollars spent through this grant program will be re-incorporated into the Kneehill County budget to reduce the impact of the economic downturn on County residents, through maintaining existing services and by improving services for residents in targeted areas.

Kneehill County Council recognizes that the loss of the Regional Resource Urban Sustainability Grant will have a negative impact on our neighbouring towns and villages. To help reduce the impact, we have committed to renewing funding of $250,000 total for recreation and other services, provided by our urban neighbours, that are utilized by Kneehill County residents. Also the cancellation of the Regional Resources Urban Sustainability Grant does not impact the funding provided for other services such as fire protection, emergency management, solid waste and other previously agreed to recreation services.

Kneehill County Council is committed to maintaining and improving the quality of life for County residents and is prepared to make the difficult decisions required to ensure that Kneehill County remains one of the best places to live in Alberta.

For further information and updates, Kneehill County residents are invited to contact the County at 403-443-5541, or visit the Kneehill County website at www.KneehillCounty.com for councillor contacts.

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For more information, contact Debra Grosfield, Communications

Kneehill County 403-443-5541

News Releases

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