HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-08 Council (Regular) MinutesCounty of Newell
Meeting Minutes
Council April 8, 2026
The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and
livestreamed to the public on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 commencing at 10:13 a.m.
Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting.
MEMBERS A. Doerksen, Reeve
PRESENT:
COUNCILLORS: D. Baumgarten
A.
Skanderup
L.
Kopp
G.
Skriver
K.
Christman
N.Johnson
B.
Hofer
ABSENT: H.
Johnson
STAFF: M.
Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer
L.
Johnson, Director of Corporate Services
S.
Hanson, Controller
S.
Biette, Corporate Services Supervisor
M.
Harbicht, Director of Corporate Services
C.
Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator)
A.
Nielsen, Executive Assistant
OTHERS IN C. Deaust, Avail CPA
ATTENDANCE: J. Hofer, Brooks Community Football
B. Senecal, Brooks Community Football
T Stogre, Brooks Community Football
K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation
1.
2.
C-100/26
3.
C-101/26
CALL TO ORDER
Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:13 a.m.
EXCUSED FROM MEETING
MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BENJAMIN HOFER that Councillor H. Johnson be excused
from the meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
3.1 Minutes - Council (March 25, 2026)
MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the March 25, 2026 Council
Meeting minutes be adopted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
Regular Council
April 8, 2026
4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS
Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items.
5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
C-102/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the agenda be adopted as
presented.
MOTION CARRIED
6. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION
A question period and notice of motion was held. No County Ratepayers were in
attendance. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public.
8. DELEGATIONS
8.1 Presentation of Audited Financial Statements -Avail CPA
C. Deaust presented Council with the 2025 Year End Financial Statements,
including an explanation and an overview of the highlights. She provided an
overview of budgeted amounts versus actual amounts for revenue, expenses,
and surplus funds as well as the County's debt limits.
ARRIVED AT MEETING
L. Johnson arrived at 10:22 a.m.
C. Deaust continued with an explanation of financial and non -financial assets and
an overview of the statement of cash flows. She also gave a summary of the
Indicators of Financial Position and how the County compares with other
municipalities of a similar size. C. Deaust also reviewed the Post Audit Letter
and outlined some upcoming changes to the financial statement presentation and
the conceptional reporting framework.
Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Chief Administrative
Officer responded to questions regarding the restricted surplus. C. Deaust
responded to further questions. Council expressed appreciation for the work
done in the past to secure the County's current positive financial position.
C. Deaust indicating that the County is always looking towards the future and
making good long-term decisions. She thanked the Finance Team for their work
during the audit.
C-103/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that the 2025 Year End Financial
Statements for the period ending December 31, 2025 be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
C. Deaust left the meeting at 10:38 a.m.
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Regular Council
April 8, 2026
ARRIVED AT MEETING
S. Biette arrived at 10:38 a.m.
9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
9.1 Approval of 2026 Final Budget
The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item
and summarized the changes included since the Interim Budget
approval. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Chief
Administrative Officer confirmed that the net transfers from restricted surplus is
$13,749,144 and the number in the RFD was a typo. He responded to questions
regarding residential tax rates and the Crop Diversification Centre South which is
included in Function 64 Economic Development.
C-104/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the 2026 Final Budget be
approved as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
9.2 Requests for Functions of Council
9.2.1 Premier's Summit on Fairness for Newcomers (April 15, 2026)
Councillor K. Christman provided background information on this item.
ARRIVED AT MEETING
M. Harbicht arrived at 10:49 a.m.
C-105/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Councillor K. Christman be permitted
to attend the Premier's Summit on Fairness for Newcomers in Edmonton, AB on April 15,
2026 as a function of Council
MOTION CARRIED
9.2.2 Board Leadership Training Event (May 2, 2026)
The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this
item. Discussion followed.
C-106126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that any Councillor be permitted to attend
the Board Leadership Training Event in Brooks, AB on May 2, 2026 as a function of
Council.
MOTION CARRIED
10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS
10.2 Director of Municipal Services Report
The Director of Municipal Services presented his report to Council, giving an
overview of the highlights. Council was given the opportunity to ask
questions. The Director of Municipal Services indicated that hamlet street
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Regular Council
April 8, 2026
sweeping is scheduled for the beginning of May and applications for dust
abatement will be accepted until April 30, 2026.
LEFT THE MEETING
M. Harbicht left the meeting at 10:59 a.m.
7. BYLAWS
7.1 Bylaw 2114-26 Loan - Fundraising Society of Rolling Hills School
The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council.
C-107/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Bylaw 2114-26, being a bylaw to
authorize lending money to the Fundraising Society of the Rolling Hills School for the
construction of its barn project, be given SECOND reading.
MOTION CARRIED
C-108/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Bylaw 2114-26 be given THIRD and
FINAL reading.
MOTION CARRIED
7.2 Bylaw 2119-26 Special Tax - Eastern Irrigation District (EID)
The Corporate Services Supervisor provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council.
C-109/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Bylaw 2119-26, being a bylaw for the
purpose of imposing a special tax on lots within subdivisions that are receiving
waterworks from the Eastern Irrigation District, be given FIRST reading.
MOTION CARRIED
C-110/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that Bylaw 2119-26 be given
SECOND reading.
MOTION CARRIED
C-111/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that consent be given for Bylaw
2119-26 to receive third reading this 8th day of April,2026.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
C-112126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Bylaw 2119-26 be given THIRD and
FINAL reading.
MOTION CARRIED
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Regular Council
April 8, 2026
7.3 Bylaw 2120-26 Special Tax - Rolling Hills Irrigation
The Corporate Services Supervisor provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council.
C-113/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that Bylaw 2120-26, being a bylaw for
the purpose of imposing a special tax on lots within the Hamlet of Rolling Hills that are
serviced by the Rolling Hills Communal Raw Water Irrigation System, be given FIRST
reading.
MOTION CARRIED
C-114/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BENJAMIN HOFER that Bylaw 2120-26 be given SECOND
reading.
MOTION CARRIED
C-115/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that consent be given for Bylaw
2120-26 to receive third reading this 8th day of April, 2026.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
C-116/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Bylaw 2120-26 be given THIRD and
FINAL reading.
MOTION CARRIED
7.4 Bylaw 2121-26 Special Tax - Scandia Irrigation
The Corporate Services Supervisor provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council.
C-117/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Bylaw 2121-26, being a bylaw
for the purpose of imposing a special tax on lots within the Hamlet of Scandia that are
serviced by the Scandia Communal Raw Water Irrigation System, be given FIRST
reading.
MOTION CARRIED
C-118/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BENJAMIN HOFER that Bylaw 2121-26 be given SECOND
reading.
MOTION CARRIED
C-119/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that consent be given for Bylaw 2121-26
to receive third reading this 8th day of April, 2026.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
C-120/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 2121-26 be given THIRD
and FINAL reading.
MOTION CARRIED
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Regular Council
April 8, 2026
7.5 Bylaw 2122-26 Special Tax - Rainier Raw Water Irrigation
The Corporate Services Supervisor provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council.
C-121/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Bylaw 2122-26, being a bylaw
for the purpose of imposing a special tax on lots within the Hamlet of Rainier that benefit
from the conveyance of water supplied by the Eastern Irrigation District, be given FIRST
reading.
MOTION CARRIED
C-122/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that Bylaw 2122-26 be given
SECOND reading.
MOTION CARRIED
C-123126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that consent be given for Bylaw 2122-26
to receive third reading this 8th day of April, 2026.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
C-124126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Bylaw 2122-26 be given THIRD and
FINAL reading.
MOTION CARRIED
7.6 Bylaw 2123-26 Tax Rates
The Corporate Services Supervisor provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council. She gave details on a page of
information to be included with the tax notices that will explain the information
presented on the tax notice. The Chief Administrative Officer provided 2024
municipal tax rate comparisons from Municipal Affairs, indicating that the County
has tax rates that are lower on average compared with other municipalities in
Alberta. He provided further information on how the County's tax rates have
decreased.
C-125126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Bylaw 2123-26, being a bylaw to
authorize the rates of taxation for various purposes in the year 2026, be given FIRST
reading.
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
S. Biette, S. Hanson, and L. Johnson left the meeting at 11:14 a.m.
RECESS
Council RECESSED at 11:14 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:27 a.m.
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Regular Council
April 8, 2026
ARRIVED AT MEETING
J. Hofer. B. Senecal, and T Stogre arrived at 11:27 a.m.
8. DELEGATIONS - continued
8.2 Financial Contribution - Brooks Junior High School (BJHS) Community
Sports Field
The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item,
indicating that Council is being asked to consider approving $750,OOO from the
Recreation Fund for the BJHS Community Sports Field Project. He provided a
summary of letters in support of the project, fundraising efforts to date, and the
funding commitment from the City of Brooks and noted that matching provincial
grant funding is available. J. Hofer, B. Senecal, and T. Stogre were in attendance
representing the fundraising committee.
Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. J. Hofer provided additional
information, indicating that the proposed field would have markings for several
different sports and would be large enough to host provincial sporting
events. Council thanked Grasslands Schools and the volunteers for compiling
the information for this project and their fundraising efforts.
ARRIVED AT MEETING
K. Steinley arrived at 11:38 a.m.
Discussion followed. J. Hofer responded to questions regarding the City's
commitment to funding the project over three years (2026, 2027, and 2028) and
provided information on usage statistics, indicating that 40% of the Brooks
Community Football team members come from the County of Newell. He
acknowledged that Grasslands Soccer Association is building new soccer fields,
but they require even more and are in support of this facility as it will allow them
to bid to host larger events. J. Hofer responded to further questions regarding
support from local businesses.
C-126/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council approve a grant in
support of the BJHS Community Sports Field Project, to match confirmed provincial
funding and local contributions on a dollar -for -dollar basis, to a maximum of $750,000,
with funding to be provided from the Recreation Fund.
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
J. Hofer, B. Senecal, and T. Stogre left the meeting at 11:47 a.m.
10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS - continued
10.1 Utilities - NRSC Report
K. Steinley provided an update on the Scandia distribution pump and items he
was asked to follow up on related to that issue. The pump has been replaced
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April 8, 2026
and is running, but some issues remain that are preventing it from running
automatically. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Council
thanked K Steinley for the tour of the water treatment plant. K Steinley
confirmed that tours are available upon request for anyone interested.
C-127126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BENJAMIN HOFER that the Director of Municipal Services
Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for March 2026 be APPROVED as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
K. Steinley left the meeting at 11:55 a.m.
11. POST AGENDA ITEMS
There were no post agenda items to discuss during this meeting.
12. INFORMATION ITEMS
There were no post agenda items to discuss during this meeting.
13. QUESTION PERIOD
A question period was held. No County Ratepayers were in attendance. The moderator
indicated that there were no questions from the public.
14. IN CAMERA
There were no in camera items to discuss during this meeting.
15. ADJOURN
Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at
11:56 a.m.
Signed this 23 day of Awlt l 12026
County Administrator
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