HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 Annual Report - short version
Photo by M. Berg
2017 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2017
SUMMARIZED VERSION WITH DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
REEVEÔS REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 2017
by Molly Douglass, Reeve - County of Newell
The Annual Report is a document that municipalities
are required to provide to their ratepayers. This report
auditorÓs report in accordance with legislation set out in
AlbertaÓs Modernized Municipal Government Act (MMGA).
As well, the Annual Report serves as an opportunity to
update citizens regarding public service topics such as
roads, weeds, drainage, subdivisions, water - to name a
few.
It is CouncilÓs role to set policy, determine budgets, and
Stephenson. It then becomes his role to implement CouncilÓs
plan, working with various County departments and staff to
do so. The County of Newell Organization has several
different departments with various areas of responsibility,
including Administration, Finance, Corporate Safety, Fire
& Emergency Services, Information & Technology, and
Municipal Enforcement. Like most rural municipalities, the
bulk of Council time is focused on planning/development,
agricultural services, and municipal/public works. Critical
in keeping our County moving forward in a progressive,
sustainable manner are the staff within all departments of
our Newell organization whose job it is to provide service
to our residents.
Our Newell region continues to rely on its agricultural, energy and tourism economy. Although issues
continue to challenge Alberta, our local assessment has remained relatively stable keeping our tax
rates lower than most comparable rural municipalities. As a local Council, our responsibility to make
In 2017 one big piece of provincial legislation, the MMGA, was enacted after years of discussion.
Following directives from the provincial government, Council discussions must now occur to put Inter-
Collaboration Frameworks and Intermunicipal Development Plans in place with municipalities within
and adjacent to our boundaries. Our staff and CouncilÓs recognized belief in cooperation and viability
within our Newell region should assist us in completing these mandated documents.
For many years Council has held an Open House/Annual General Meeting in various locations around
the County. Due to declining attendance of ratepayers, we have decided not to host this event in 2018.
As your input remains valued and much appreciated, please feel free to contact your Councillors and
Staff by phone or e-mail. It is always important to get accurate information as required, your questions
answered, or to report a concern.
After a lengthy winter and a month of soggy days, good weather ahead is certainly needed. LetÓs hope
for plenty of sunshine to facilitate the important work of this spring season.
P AGE 2
C OUNTY OF N EWELL - 2017 A NNUAL R EPORT
DIVISION 1 Rolling Hills DIVISION 2 Tilley DIVISION 3 Patricia/Millicent DIVISION 4 Rainier/Scandia/Bow City DIVISION 5 Cassils/Lake Newell Resort
Clarence Amulung Councillor Anne Marie PhilipsenCouncillor Wayne HammergrenCouncillor Tracy Fyfe
(403) 793-3813(403) 362-1777(403) 793-0574(403) 501-8909(403) 793-2076
amulungc@newellmail.cakallenh@newellmail.caphilipsena@newellmail.cahammergrenw@newellmail.cafyfet@newellmail.ca
DIVISION 6 Bassano DIVISION 7 Rosemary DIVISION 8 Duchess DIVISION 9 Gem DIVISION 10 Brooks
Councillor Ellen UnruhCouncillor Brian de JongReeve Molly DouglassCouncillor Lionel Juss
(403) 641-2274(403) 793-3369(403) 501-8378(403) 363-9203(403) 362-0947
christmank@newellmail.caunruhe@newellmail.cadejongb@newellmail.cadouglassm@newellmail.cajussl@newellmail.ca
Municipal Planning Commission and Council meetings are open to the public, but we realize that it is
and posting the video to our YouTube channel. Stay tuned!!
Visit us online!
www.countyofnewell.ab.ca
Follow us on Twitter!Like us on Facebook!Download our App!
@County of NewellCounty of NewellNewell Connect
P AGE 3
C OUNTY OF N EWELL - 2017 A NNUAL R EPORT
SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE COUNTY OF NEWELL
For the Year Ending December 31, 2017
Copies are available upon request or by visiting the County of NewellÓs website at
www.countyofnewell.ab.ca.
COUNTY OF NEWELL
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
December 31,2017, with comparative informationfor 2016
20172016
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents (note 2)$2,648,535$21,192,048
Taxes and grants in place of taxes receivable (note 3)1,312,6761,294,382
Trade and other receivables(note 4)14,820,22720,187,853
Land held for resale 31,49131,491
Investments (note 5)72,549,87846,452,097
Notes receivable (note 6)789,5421,773,637
Other financial assets9,8199,895
92,162,16890,941,403
Financial liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities2,407,2672,201,452
Employee benefit obligations (note 8)1,604,9911,528,839
Unearned revenue (note 9)22,000196,685
Long-term debt-operating(note 10)789,5421,537,923
Long-term debt -capital (note 11)20,020,64424,414,424
Provision for landfill closureand post-closure costs (note 12)662,535313,533
Provision for gravel pit closureand post-closure costs (note12)331,814335,341
Deposit liabilities (note 2)212,408198,874
26,051,20130,727,071
Netfinancial assets 66,110,96760,214,332
Non-financial assets:
Prepaid expenses 118,829114,985
Tangible Capital Assets (note 7)202,274,435226,952,338
Inventory for consumption 1,170,1231,390,753
203,563,387228,458,076
Contingent liabilities (note 20)
Accumulated surplus(note 13)$269,674,354288,672,408
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
P AGE 4
C OUNTY OF N EWELL - 2017 A NNUAL R EPORT
SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE COUNTY OF NEWELL
For the Year Ending December 31, 2017
Expenses by object:
Budget 2017 2016
Salaries, wages and benefits $ 8,410,144 $ 7,895,217 $ 7,430,179
Contracted and general services 4,900,998 3,455,799 3,725,751
Materials, goods, supplies and utilities 5,799,044 4,796,641 3,985,928
Transfers to organizations 5,146,293 2,920,646 4,264,050
Bank charges and short-term interest 8,000 6,014 5,370
Interest on long-term debt 552,861 551,044 670,082
Other expenditures 20,000 810,395 1,158,712
Amortization 6,576,370 6,528,819 6,227,082
$ 31,413,710 $ 26,964,575 $ 27,467,154
Legislative/General
Airport
Rec/Library/FCSS
1.9%
0.4%
7.8%
Administration
Protective Services
6.5%
MPC/ASB/Eco.Dev./Bus
8.8%
2017 Municipal Expenses
Water/Sewer/Garbage
13.3%
lighting & fleet
Utilities & Solid Waste
40.3%
4.93%
Protective ServicesProtective Services
Recreation & Culture
1.45%
Roads, streets, walks & MPC/ASB/Eco.Dev./Bus
0.26%
lighting1.99%
General/Administration
2017 Municipal Revenue2017 Municipal Revenue
P AGE 5
C OUNTY OF N EWELL - 2017 A NNUAL R EPORT
SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE COUNTY OF NEWELL
For the Year Ending December 31, 2017
Net municipal property taxes:
Budget 2017 2016
Taxation:
Real property taxes $ 17,375,227 $ 17,285,035 $ 15,611,840
Linear property taxes 27,734,366 27,732,086 27,489,906
Government grants in place of property
taxes 367,943 366,827 355,528
45,477,536 45,383,948 43,457,274
Requisitions:
Alberta School Foundation Fund 12,207,543 12,207,543 12,754,794
Newell Foundation 898,029 898,029 910,166
13,105,572 13,105,572 13,664,960
Net municipal property taxes $ 32,371,964 $ 32,278,376 $ 29,792,314
2017 Allocation
of Property Tax
Newell Foundation
1.98%
71.12%
Commercial/Industrial
/Railway
24.10%
Residential
12.43%
2017 Property Taxes
Linear Property
61.11%
Farmland
2.37%
P AGE 6
C OUNTY OF N EWELL - 2017 A NNUAL R EPORT
SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE COUNTY OF NEWELL
For the Year Ending December 31, 2017
Salary and benefits disclosure:
Disclosure of salaries and benefits for elected municipal officials and the chief administrative officer
as required by provincial regulation is as follows:
2017 2016
Benefits &
Salary (1) Allowances (2) Total Total
Council:
Division 1 - Amulung $ 31,724 $ 5,380 $ 37,104 $ 35,147
Division 2 - 6,749 947 7,696 -
Division 2 - Simpson 20,577 4,224 24,801 34,877
Division 3 - Philipsen 28,421 5,224 33,655 35,470
Division 4 - Hammergren 25,981 2,671 28,652 27,497
Division 5 - Fyfe 27,512 5,193 32,705 33,114
Division 6 - Christman 28,551 5,346 33,897 32,087
Division 7 - Unruh 27,883 5,210 33,093 33,522
Division 8 - De Jong 25,824 1,308 27,132 28,100
Division 9 - Douglass 50,081 2,441 52,522 51,427
Division 10 - Juss 24,877 5,077 29,954 32,019
$ 298,181 $ 43,031 $ 341,212 $ 343,260
Chief Administrative Officer $ 220,720 $ 49,115 $ 269,835 $ 265,601
1) Salary includes regular base pay, bonuses, overtime, lump sum payments, gross honoraria and any other direct cash
remuneration.
2) Benefits and allowances include the employerÓs share of all employee benefits and contributions or payments made on
behalf of employees including pension, health care, dental coverage, vision coverage, group life insurance, accidental
disability and dismemberment insurance, long and short-term disability plans, professional memberships and tuition.
Benefits and allowances f igures also include the employerÓs share of the costs of additional taxable benefits including
special leave with pay, financial planning services, retirement planning services, concessionary loans, travel
allowances, car allowances, and club memberships, if applicable.
Photo by T. Exner
P AGE 7
C OUNTY OF N EWELL - 2017 A NNUAL R EPORT
AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD (ASB) REPORT
by Todd Green, Director of Agricultural Services
Agricultural Service Boards (ASB) are established across Alberta to aid in determining agricultural
programming needs in the municipality. ASBs primary functions are to work within the Agricultural
Services Board Act, the Weed Control Act, the Agricultural Pests Act and the Soil Conservation Act.
The County of Newell ASB mission is:
ÐWorking together we strive to guide viable growth and sustainability in the County of Newell by
implementing programs in areas of weed, pest and soil control as well as programs focused on
sound agronomics and environmental stewardshipÑ
weed control, pest control, environmental programming and vegetation maintenance.
Weed Control:
Different weed control programs are operated to promote proper vegetation management on the right of
ways, County owned properties, Hamlet open spaces and within our partner Municipalities. Prohibited
Noxious and Noxious weed species take precedence over aesthetic species as those weeds pose a
Regulated invasive plant species are a constant battle. The ASB employs 4 Vegetation Management
Technicians to aid ratepayers in their control efforts as well as identify risks and maintain established
infestations. Invasive species spread via transportation corridors and water ways and the ASB inspects
as many of those corridors as possible. 2017 programming has seen weed populations controlled on:
1. CP line (66 miles)
(including 2 patches of Phragmites Australis),
2. Road network (554 miles sprayed Î local roads
and highways, selective control),
3. Road Network (124 miles sprayed Î local road
shoulder non-selective control),
4. Road Network (32 miles sprayed Î non-selective
control for construction)
5. Bow River (60 miles of control work Î spraying
and picking),
6. Red Deer River (50 miles of inspecting and spot
spraying),
7. EID delivery system (did not record mileage
inspected in 2017),
8. 58 acres sprayed under the Private Weed
Control policy,
9. Weed Survey
Major weeds of concern include but are not limited
to: Scentless Chamomile, Black Henbane, Downy
Thistle, Burdock, Tall Buttercup and Phragmites
Australis.
P AGE 8
C OUNTY OF N EWELL - 2017 A NNUAL R EPORT
Pest Control:
Pest control under the ASB sees programming to help with monitoring and control of pests and nuisances
under the Agricultural Pests Act. The ASB surveys the county for:
1.
2. Clubroot (310 Fields)
3. Grasshopper Populations (65 sites)
4. Coyote Populations (3 routes, 25 km each, 1250 sites total)
5. Bacterial Ringrot (4 Fields)
The ASB also offers programming and sale programs to help mitigate the effects of pests in our County.
They include:
1. Coyote Control Incentive Program (1431 coyotes)
2. Trap Rentals Î Skunk/Racoon Î 9 renters, 117 rental days,
3. Magpie traps Î 9 Renters Î 88 rental days, sold 4 new traps
4. Richardson Ground Squirrel control (1310 bottles of 2%LSC sold, 91 producers)
Environmental Programming:
The ASB attempts to forward relevant news and information from the Provincial government to producers
and ratepayers as possible. Many new programs come down the pipe and we are happy to promote
areas of common interest.
In 2017 the following opportunities were available and utilized:
Government Programming:
1. 3 Environmental Farm Plans completed
2.
(1 exam written)
Courses/Training:
1. Southern Alberta Grazing School for Women
(31 attendees)
2. Farming Smarter Conference
(205 attendees, 12 from the County of Newell)
3. Weed ID School
(74 Participants, hosted in County of Newell)
Mowing:
The ASB operates 2 distinct mowing programs - right
of way mowing and County owned property mowing.
Both take place to compliment weed control efforts,
improve drainage, improve right of way safety and for
aesthetics. In total the ASB mowed 4200 miles (one
way) on the roadsides (averaging 4.34 miles mowed
per hour) and invested 1446 hours in hamlets,
subdivisions and airports maintaining vegetation.
P AGE 9
C OUNTY OF N EWELL - 2017 A NNUAL R EPORT
Rental Equipment:
The ASB has a number of equipment rentals available. Rental units are charged out as close to cost
recovery as possible. Usage for 2017 is as follows:
1. Loading Chute and Panels Î 7 renters
2. Calf table Î 2 renters
3. Livestock scale Î 9 renters
4. 30 foot weed wipe Î 1 renter
5. Boomless sprayers (2) Î 4 renters
6. Three Point Hitch Sprayer Î 1 renter
7. Insecticide Sprayer Î 1 renter
8. Double disc drill - 13 renters, 1206 acres
9. No Till Drills (2) Î 39 renters, 2120.7 acres
10. Brillion Seeders (2) Î 10 renters, 227.1 acres
11. Tandem Axle BBQ Î 47 users, plus rodeo week
Emerson Bridge Park Campground:
Emerson Bridge Campground operation and maintenance also falls under the responsibility of the ASB.
The campground has a total of 64 designated campsites, 49 of which are power sites, 9 non-power
of the campground during the 112-night season in 2017 was 37% (2016 Î 34%). Revenues from
Park operations have steadily increased since beginning the infrastructure revitalization, from less than
$20,000 in 2008 to $86,000 in 2017.
Other Programming:
The ASB also operates other programming not inclusive of the other categories. Other activities
inspections/licensing, roadside seeding and offers various pest and agronomic recommendations. The
Conservation Association, Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority, Partners in Habitat
industry and other municipalities.
The ASB continues to be active
in promoting and protecting
agriculture. If you have
questions, concerns or require
more information on any of
the programming, please feel
at 403-362-3266 or
check out our website
www.countyofnewell.ab.ca
and remember to follow the
County on social media for
timely information sharing.
ASB related issues and
concerns are dealt with at
regular Council meetings.
P AGE 10
C OUNTY OF N EWELL - 2017 A NNUAL R EPORT
MUNICIPAL PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
by Clarence Amulung, Municipal Planning Commission Chair
The County of Newell Municipal Planning Commission
(MPC) met 23 times during 2017. Its meetings, if necessary,
are scheduled before all regularly held Council meetings
and commence at 10:00 a.m. and are usually adjourned well
before 11:00 a.m. They are always open to the public. All
members of the public who may have a particularly invested
interest on any agenda item are encouraged to attend. All
ten members of Council are the voting members of the
Municipal Planning Commission. Agenda items usually
centre around subdivision applications and permits where
there may be ambiguity, variances or unclear direction given
solutions that are legal, balanced and fair to applicants as
well as to the County and its residents. In these efforts they
are ably guided by our own staff and our County Planner
who is provided by the Oldman River Regional Services
Commission.
Sixteen subdivisions were approved during 2017. This
compares to 14 in 2016 and 16 in 2015. During the same time
frame, 91 development permits were issued as compared to
an average of 135.5 in the previous 4 years. Of the 91 issued,
70 were residential, 19 were non-residential and 2 Home
Occupation Businesses. Construction permits were also
down, but not as dramatically. A 17.7% drop for construction compared to an almost 33% drop for
development permits. 361 construction permits were issued compared to an average of 439 in the
previous 4 years. Construction permits include 70 building, 153 electrical, 72 gas, 48 plumbing and 18
private sewage disposal system (PSDS).
It is interesting to note, however, that the value
of these construction permits ($216,624) was
considerably higher than the four previous yearsÓ
($151,507) average. This is mainly due to one
large electrical permit for the Brooks Solar project.
County staff have been contacted by a number of
companies to discuss solar facilities in our area.
By the end of the year there were 4 other solar
projects in various stages of development known
Newell that will send emergency and informational alerts to the
to staff. It is projected to be a continuing trend.
ratepayers of the County of Newell.
Other areas receiving considerable attention
Voice, and Email.
in 2017 were land use Bylaw 1892-17, bylaws
needing attention due to the amended Municipal
REGISTER TODAY!
Redevelopment Plan for the North Headgates
www.countyofnewell.ab.ca/notify
area. These topics as well as others will continue
to be addressed and discussed in 2018.
P AGE 11
C OUNTY OF N EWELL - 2017 A NNUAL R EPORT
MUNICIPAL SERVICES REPORT
by Mark Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services
Municipal Services consists of multiple smaller departments which include Fleet Services, Municipal
Enforcement, Public Works & Engineering - Transportation (Roads), Water, Wastewater (Sewer),
Storm Water, and Solid Waste Services - all items that contribute to the quality of rural life. Through
responsible management, innovation and teamwork, our Departments strive to provide dependable,
high quality services at reasonable costs.
The following are key highlights from the various Departments in 2017.
Municipal Enforcement
Municipal Enforcement Department activities continue with service provisions in partner jurisdictions
including the Town of Bassano, Villages of Duchess and Rosemary, the Eastern Irrigation District, and
the Village of Hussar. Partnership services are cost recovered on an hourly rate basis under contract.
The Department continues to engage and educate the public. Monthly priorities for the department
The Department patrolled partner jurisdictions for 721 hours. In addition to this, the Department patrolled
County jurisdictions for 1330 hours.
The Department issued 392 tickets and 415 warnings in 2017 related to Provincial offences within the
Act Î 65 (i.e. Speeding, Fail to Produce Insurance/Licence) and Provincial Act Î 11 (i.e. Petty Trespass,
Tobacco/Smoking).
18 tickets and 143 warnings were also issued in
2017 related to Bylaw offences within the County
offenses included violations of Animal Control
Î 52 (i.e. Dog at Large), Unsightly Premises Î
refuse found in/on road), Sidewalk Snow and
Ice Removal Î 22 (i.e. Failure to remove snow
from sidewalks), and Unauthorized Road Use -
14 (i.e. Depositing debris on roads Î snow and
mud).
Public Works & Engineering
The Public Works & Engineering Departments
collectively and collaboratively manage 1466 km
of gravel road and 230 km of paved road surfaces,
through established preventative maintenance
and capital improvement programs.
P AGE 12
C OUNTY OF N EWELL - 2017 A NNUAL R EPORT
The Departments strive to provide
well maintained gravel surfaced
roads utilizing 8 grader operators
responsible for an average of 185
km of gravel road each. It takes 20
working days (1 month) to complete
one round of maintenance services
per beat. Over the course of the
spring, summer, and fall maintenance
seasons grader operators in 2017
performed 7733 km of gravel road
surface maintenance. Additionally,
the Departments re-surfaced 384.9
km of gravel roads in 2017, or 22%
of the total gravel road surfaces in the
County.
The Departments offer Dust Abatement services whereas 156,406 linear meters of dust abatement were
applied to gravel surfaced roads in 2017. The program consists of Residential and Non-Residential
applications, as well as County Aggregate Haul Roads and intersection treatments consuming 2,504,703
litres of dust abatement product over 17 working days with two active crews consisting primarily of
County forces.
The Departments completed 53.2 km of Road Shoulder Pulls in 2017 in effort to return roads to standard
In addition to the gravel road network the County provides a ban free paved road network. The ban free
Departments paved road assets increased as 16.2 km of gravel road from Hwy 550 (Rosemary) north
to Hwy 862 (Gem) were paved at a contract price of $8,818,689.
P AGE 13
C OUNTY OF N EWELL - 2017 A NNUAL R EPORT
The Departments, now in the eighth year of Partnership with the EID, continue with improvements of
$2 million annually ($1 million each party), as approved by EID Board and County Council. Progress
in 2017 included the completion of 15 km of drainage in the Rainier area, as well as 12 km of drainage
in the Millicent area. Previously completed projects include Cassils (15.2 km), Rolling Hills (36.8 km),
Scandia (33 km), and most recently Rainier (65 km) and Millicent (7.2 km).
Water
The County Rural Water System consists of 1151 km of water line servicing residences and businesses.
The number of active water users as of March 30, 2018 is 1109, up from 1057 users receiving water
as of March 30, 2017, or 52 new active users over the past year. There are a total of 1570 registered
userÓs, with 71% active.
Closing Remarks
Often, part of the unsung heroes, I wish to thank our dedicated team of Municipal Services staff who
dedication to the County and the ratepayers which we serve. I also must extend many thanks to the
other departments of the County who continue to support the Municipal Services team in effective
delivery of services to our ratepayers, as without you none of this would be possible.
Photo by G. Volek
P AGE 14
C OUNTY OF N EWELL - 2017 A NNUAL R EPORT