County updates Chamber of Commerce

By Lori Larsen

Camrose County Reeve Cindy Trautman presented an update on the County to members of the Camrose and District Chamber of Commerce and guests during the April 6 Chamber general meeting.

Trautman began by introducing the new council: members Doug Lyseng (Division 7), Carl Bergstrom (Division 1), Don Simpson (Division 4), Carlene Wetthuhn (Division 5), Jordon Banack (Division 6), Tina Sorka (Division 3) and Trautman, who represents Division 2.

The report compared the election statistics from 2017 to 2021 including: six division elections in 2021 versus two in 2017; 19 candidates in 2021 versus nine in 2017; 27 election workers in 2021 versus 10 in 2017; and 1,984 votes cast in 2021 versus 430 in 2017.

With regards to the referendum questions posed during the 2021 election, Trautman indicated that Camrose County responses to Permanent Daylight Savings showed 52 per cent in favour and 48 per cent against; and with regards to Equalization, 80 per cent in favour and 20 per cent against.

Trautman spoke about the Intermunicipal Agreements dealt with during 2021. “The Fire Agreement was extended and there were no changes to it. With the Recycling Agreement, the County moved away from the Centra Cam cost sharing. We actually have saved about $50,000 on our recycling program by going with two local contractors.”

Finally, the Recreation Agreement is a five-year flat fee arrangement with a CPI increase annually after 2021, capped at two per cent, with an annual payment for 10 years of $264,000 for the Aquatic Centre.

“In late 2020, the 2017 council made a priority of having an Economic Development Committee. At that time, it consisted of two councillors (Doug Lyseng and Trautman) and one manager of Planning and Development (Anjah Howard).”

Trautman said updated information has been done on the website and business directory, and encouraged attendees with businesses in the County that would like to be added to the Business Directory to contact the County office.

“In 2021, after the election, we added a third councillor to the (Economic Devel-

Truck inspections

Murray Green, Camrose Booster

Camrose County resident Kevin Van Petten brought his truck to get inspected by County Protective Services officer Hermanus Germushuyen, left, and Beaver County Protective Services officer Trent Kenyon on April 6 in Camrose.

Murray Green, Camrose Booster

Ray Kawai of the Lacombe County Protective Services, under the truck, and Camrose County Protective Services officer Wes Allison inspect Blaine Fenske’s truck, from Bawlf, to ensure it is roadworthy. Because this was a free farm truck check, no vehicles were towed and no tickets were issued. Camrose County encourages farmers to take advantage of this inspection program each spring in order to avoid any on-highway problems. Inspections included critical safety items such as brakes, steering, lights, frames, fuel systems and drive shafts. Reeve Cindy Trautman

opment) committee (Carlene Wetthuhn) and four members of the public (Nicola Irving, Douglas Orr, Blaine Fenske and Jake Vermeer).”

She spoke briefly on the Food Artisans of Camrose County explaining that 70 local producers sell a wide range of products. “We also have quite a few ‘friends’ of Food Artisans of Camrose County, businesses that don’t necessarily grow any product but use the products in their shops.”

According to the report, Camrose County investment in local area (including businesses and services anywhere in Camrose County boundary) totalled $16.6 million: $6.3 million in salaries and wages for people in the community; $9.2 million goods, materials and services from businesses in the community; and $1.1 million in transfers of funds to organizations in the community.

County purchases in Camrose in 2022 included everything from engineering and electrical services to vehicles, food and building supplies to zippers and more.

“Last year, the Province of Alberta had the Municipal Operating Support Transfer (MOST) and that gave Camrose County $880,000,” explained Trautman. “That was to be used for COVID expenses, shortfalls in revenues, anything that happened during the pandemic. We allocated $9,500 for personal protective equipment, $31,000 for supplemental cleaning, $658,000 to replace revenues including unpaid taxes, $38,000 into supporting being able to work remotely, leaving $141,000.

“We made a late callout to all the not-for-profits and registered societies within the County and asked what they needed for grants.”

Division 1 received $28,000; Division 2, $23,000; Division 3, $20,000; Division 4, $18,000; Division 5, $15,000; Division 6, $25,000 and Division 7, $12,000.

In 2020/21, the County processed 196 development permits and 34 subdivision approvals. “In 2020, the development permits were at 153, and in 2019, 174. So we are seeing a trend back up.”

Trautman reported on the major projects happening throughout the County.

“Past council made a priority of economic development and one of the things we heard from industrial areas was the lack of water. You can’t build a manufacturing facility or anything else without water. So one of our main priorities was getting those waterlines out.

“We started out with the Armena to Ervick, Ervick to Braim waterline, and now this year we will complete the Braim to the Ohaton end up at the Legacy Junction along Highway 56 and Highway 13.”

Trautman reported on other major projects. “In February 2020, the County purchased a property straight to the east of the main office area. With that purchase, it gave us a lot of space that we could use for Public Works as well as Agriculture Services Branch (ASB). The ASB department has moved over to the County annex building and in that building, we updated the lighting, flooring, painted it and a few shop repairs.”

She added, that building now has a space that is available to community groups at no charge.

Other major projects include: the Seed Cleaning Plant at a cost of $7.3 million with anticipated opening in late summer/early fall; the Regional Fire Hall (which consolidated New Norway, Ferintosh and village of Edberg Fire Departments) at a cost of $825,000 and the Sand and Salt Shed. Trautman said the Regional Fire Hall, Sand and Salt Shed and electrical upgrades to the Pelican Point campground received funding from the Province’s Municipal Stimulus Program.

The County also acquired a gravel resource (Dingman Pit) consisting of 80 purchased acres and 80 leased acres. “This gives the County about 30 years of a stable gravel source for us. We use it a lot. In fact, I think we did about 194,000 tons of gravel on our roads in 2021.

“Over the last few years, County council, administration and staff have been looking at priority-based governance which leads right into our Strategic Plan.”

Trautman explained the six priorities identified are: infrastructure, agriculture, environment, social and community, economic resiliency and governance. “We analyzed the services and got them to align with our priorities.”

The final item covered by Trautman was concerning the Province’s Alberta Provincial Police initiative to replace the RCMP. She indicated that Camrose County Council, along with other rural municipalities, has voted against Alberta Provincial Police, citing concerns over funding, staffing and training.

“The way we look at this is we need to reform the justice system first, because no matter what police force you have in power, if you don’t fix the justice system, it is just going to continue being a revolving door.”

Trautman concluded, “There is a renewed optimism both in this room and any of the rooms I have been in, and it is great to see.”

For complete details, visit the Camrose County website at https://county.camrose. ab.ca.