Council Meeting Highlights: September 28, 2026

Louisa Robison, CEO of the Peace Library System, presented the organization's 2025 update. For every $1 the Town invested, the Library System returned about $12.10 in value, roughly $812,687 in total services and savings, for a $67,158 investment. Over the year, local patrons received 9,750 digital items and 9,687 items borrowed through interlibrary loans, in addition to access to more than 3 million items province-wide and free databases like Ancestry and LinkedIn Learning.

Council voted to keep the ATCO Gas (32%) and ATCO Electric (12.5%) franchise fees at their current rates for 2027. These fees are standard charges that appear on utility bills for everyone who uses gas and electricity in town, and together they are among the Town's largest sources of revenue outside property taxes (about $2 million expected in 2027). Holding the rates steady means no increase to this portion of residents' bills.

Following its earlier review, Council directed administration to bring back a revised Grants to Organizations Policy. The updated policy will move from three funding intakes to two, January (for spring and summer events) and June (for fall events), and will not cap the number of years an organization can apply, so long-running community events remain eligible year after year. The draft also strengthens the evaluation criteria and clarifies that out-of-town travel is not eligible. The revised policy will return for final consideration.

Council approved reclassifying the Legislative Services Manager position as a Deputy CAO role (previously discussed as an Assistant CAO position). The change is aimed at strengthening executive leadership capacity and succession planning, with Economic Development and Communications moving to report to the position.

Building on its September 14 decision to explore a regional economic development board, Council appointed Mayor Shannon, Deputy Mayor Carr, and the CAO (or designate) to an ad hoc committee to help plan potential framework options with neighbouring municipalities.