Council Highlights for December 8, 2025

Below is an overview of Council discussions and decisions from the Regular Council meeting on December 8, 2025:  

Mountain View Power – Storefront Beautification Pilot Report 

Administration and Director Lapointe presented the results of the Mountain View Power Storefront Beautification Grant pilot program, focused on the Uptowne district. Administration recommended continuing the program in 2026 with the same framework and an increased total budget of $30,000 to better meet demand. 

Council Action: Council accepted the Mountain View Power Storefront Beautification Report for information. 

Rates Policy 233C 

Rates Policy 233C sets out how the Town updates and manages rates that do not need to be set by bylaw, including utility rates, development charges, and fire response fees.  

Council Action: Council approved Rates Policy 233C and the recommended rate adjustments as presented. 

Mountain View Power Community Grants – Fall 2025 Intake 

Director Lapointe presented the Mountain View Power Community Grants Committee recommendations for the latest intake.  

Council Action: Council approved the Mountain View Power Community Grant Committee’s recommendations as presented, for a total of $76,900 in funding for this intake. 

Olds Fibre Limited – Amended 2024 Financial Statements 

Administration presented amended 2024 financial statements for Olds Fibre Limited (OFL), as required under the sale agreement with Telus. Telus requested adjustments before releasing the first holdback payment. The net result is an increase to OFL’s operating loss of $198,650. There is no impact on the overall consolidated surplus or deficit for the Town. 

Council Action: Council approved the amended 2024 financial statements for Olds Fibre Limited as presented. 

2026 Operating Budget 

Administration presented the final 2026 operating budget in the amount of $37,343,838. 

New or expanded items built into the budget include: 

• Funding for new full-time equivalent (FTE) positions.
• Service level costing work and a public service employee program assessment.
• A 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for staff and two additional summer staff.
• Pathway repair and maintenance increases.
• A hydrant repair program.
• A valve inspection and repair program.
• Increased water and wastewater repair and maintenance budgets, in line with full-cost recovery. 

These additions create a projected 2026 operating gap of $654,877. 

Council Action: Council approved the 2026 Operating Budget as presented. 

2027–2029 Three-Year Financial Plan 

Administration presented the required three-year financial plan.  Without new revenue, projected deficits grow from about $470,000 in 2027 to more than $1 million by 2029. Administration emphasized that the plan is a compliance and planning tool only and will be revisited once Council has set a clearer financial strategy. 

Council Action: Council received the 2027–2029 Three-Year Financial Plan for information. 

2026 Capital Budget 

Administration noted that most asset replacements are typically funded from the Asset Replacement and Rehabilitation Reserve. The 2026 plan draws down the utility capital reserve by about half. 

Council Action: Council approved the 2026 Capital Budget in the amount of $2,888,000 as presented. 

2027–2031 Five-Year Capital Plan 

Administration presented the five-year capital plan, which identifies about $35 million in capital needs between 2027 and 2031, including road, utility and facility projects. Council will need to prioritize and align capital projects with future revenue decisions, grants, asset management data and service level discussions. 

Council Action: Council received the 2027–2031 Five-Year Capital Plan for information. 

ATCO Franchise Fee Increase 

Administration brought forward an option to increase the Town’s natural gas distribution franchise fee with ATCO from 30% to the regulated maximum of 35%, effective April 1, 2026. 

Council Action: Council approved increasing the ATCO natural gas franchise fee. 

Business Licence Bylaw Amendment – Bylaw 2025-19 

Administration brought forward Bylaw 2025-19, an amendment to Business Licence Bylaw 2020-09, to support the launch of new e-permitting software and simplify how business licences are issued and displayed. 

Council Action: Council gave all three readings to Bylaw 2025-19, Amendment to Business Licence Bylaw 2020-09, and passed it as presented. 

Rates Bylaw – Bylaw 2025-20 

Administration presented an updated Rates Bylaw, which consolidates several fee changes that must be set by bylaw rather than policy. 

Key changes include: 

• Protective Services fees: 

• Collision report fee increased to $40. 

• Addition of a patrol response fee. 

• Corporate Services fees: 

• Tax certificate fees (online and manual) increased by $5. 

• Updated wording to reflect the new Access to Information legislation. 

• Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) fee: 

• Appeal fee increased from $300 to $1,000, with 50 per cent refunded if the appeal is successful, to better reflect the actual cost of running the independent appeal process. 

• Water and wastewater rates: 

• The net impact for the average residential household is an increase of about $4.78 per month, largely driven by higher wholesale water costs from the Mountain View Regional Water Services Commission and increased investment in repairs, maintenance and asset management. 

Council Action: Council gave all three readings to Bylaw 2025-20, Rates Bylaw, and passed it as presented. 

Chief Administrative Officer’s Report 

The Chief Administrative Officer provided the November operations report and verbal updates: 

• Report a Problem: Continued increase in online “Report a Problem” submissions compared to 2024, which helps the Town track and respond to issues more efficiently. 

• Water meter replacement and leak detection: Phase 2 of the water meter replacement program is underway in the northeast quadrant and is already impacting leak detection.  

• Water leaks and repairs: Crews are addressing more leaks as frost penetrates deeper, sometimes requiring winter digs that cannot wait until spring. 

• Community events: Old Fashioned Christmas proceeded with strong community support despite cold temperatures.  

Council Action: Council accepted the Chief Administrative Officer’s Report for information.