Below is an overview of Council discussions and decisions from the Regular Council meeting on January 27, 2025:
Corporate Services Quarterly Report (Q4)
Corporate Services is responsible for the Town’s financial management including budgeting and financial statements, investment, procurement, grants, property taxes, utility billing, records management, human resources, and Information Technology (IT).
While the 2024 year-end is underway and culminates with the audited financial statements presentation in April, key updates from Q4 include:
- $2.67 million in grants received
- 9% increase in utility e-billing
- 90% of budget utilization
- Significant progress on software implementation and process digitization
A considerable loss in revenue is projected due to a decrease in franchise fees, specifically from the former Sundial Plant. Franchise fee information is not available to the municipality, so an estimate was made regarding the loss. It was much larger than projected. Looking forward, Administration is exploring options to provide to Council to cushion fluctuations in our revenue models.
Council Action: Council accepted the Corporate Services quarterly report as presented for information.
Strategic Plan Update
Council’s 2022 – 2027 Strategic Plan was adopted in 2022 and updated in subsequent years. Following a 2025 strategic session, the Plan is now before Council for formal review. No changes were recommended.
Council Action: Council accepted the 2025 Strategic Priorities review for information.
Records and Information Management Bylaw
Administration has been working towards digitization of the Town’s records and information, as this project moves forward, aligning the Records and Information Management Bylaw with current legislation and system modernization. Permitting the electronic storage of documents aligns with the ongoing investments in software upgrades and process improvements and will strengthen the Town’s records management regime and provide internal workflow efficiencies.
Council Action: Council gave first reading to Records and Information Management Bylaw 2025-02 as presented.
Partnership Properties: SE Area for Industrial Use
The proposed lot for sale is 4.3 hectares (10.6 acres) in size and located within the future growth area of the Olds Cemetery. At Council’s direction, Administration investigated projected cemetery growth and found that the Town has over 200 years of available growth for the Olds Cemetery based on current and projected burial rates. Administration suggested there is a more imminent need for serviceable land in the SE Industrial Park. Should Council approve this sale, there will be between 35 – 45 years of available growth in the Olds Cemetery. Any future development on this parcel will also be subject to a developer installing adequate fencing to ensure material does not migrate into the cemetery area. Administration has also directed ISL Engineering to investigate a future cemetery site during the Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw review in 2025. The lot is valued at $400,000, representing a per acre sale price of approximately $37,000, which is in line with the average per acre sale price in the SE industrial area over the previous decade. More information can be found at https://www.olds.ca/partnership
Council Action: Council directed the Chief Administrative Officer to list Lot 17 Block 1 Plan 251 for public sale at a value of $400,000.
Tax Exemption Requests
The Municipal Government Act allows property tax exemptions, in whole or in part, for properties owned or leased by non-profit organizations that meet specific conditions under the Community Organization Property Tax Exemption Regulation (AR 281/98). The following organizations requested property tax exemption: Padnoma Support Services, Olds and Area Pregnancy Support Centre, Scouts Canada, Imagine Gymnastics Club, Accredited Supports to the Community, Mountain View Hospice Society, The Friends of the Grizzlys, Mountain View Lodge No 16 AF & AM.
Council Action: All but two applications were approved. Council will reconsider these two outstanding items after receiving more information from Administration on each property.
Olds Town Council seeks to be transparent and open with residents. These highlights touch briefly upon the key information presented and decisions made at the meeting. The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for February 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM.