On December 21^st, 2024, at the Regular Schedule Council meeting, Council approved a condensed workweek schedule for the Town Office Hours. The Town of Sedgewick Office hours will be adjusted to Monday to Thursday, 8:30 to 4:30 pm, opening during the lunch hours. The Town Office will be closed on Fridays. This condensed work week will not affect normal Public Works operational hours. The Town of Sedgewick Public Works Emergency phone number will remain 780-384-3911 during all hours of operations and weekends.

On December 21^st, at the Regular Schedule Council meeting, Council passed the New Fees and Charges Bylaw to take effect on January 1st, 2024. There is no planned increase in the Water and Sewer cubic meter consumption rates in 2024, nor any increase in the bulk water and the recreation and culture fee. To facilitate the Town of Sedgewick’s overall operations, the recommended changes are to increase flat rate infrastructure fees and maintenance fees and introduce a Gas Distribution monthly fee on all monthly Utility billings, which will increase the average utility fees by $15.00 per month.

On December 21^st, at the Regular Schedule Council meeting, Council approved the Interim 2023 Operating Budget at $3,063,892 with amortization ( a non-cash item) and proposed transfers. Council is reviewing the possible Tax levy increase of 3% overall but has directed the administration to continue to find efficiencies and savings within the 2024 budget. The final capital and operational budget will be reviewed in May 2024 with the setting of the Tax Rate Bylaw.

On December 21, 2023, it was confirmed that bylaw enforcement had concluded serval cases with the voluntary removal of several dogs from the Town limits. Council is committed to the enforcement of animal control bylaws within the community and has advised the administration to increase the legal budget for prosecution in 2024 for future violations. Residents are encouraged to register their dogs before January 31st, 2024, to ensure they receive the 50% discount for registration. After January 31^st, 2024, full rates apply

On November 16, at the Regular Schedule Council meeting, Council approved a motion for an additional $30,000 to the 2023 legal budget from unrestricted general reserves to address the noncompliance of declared restricted and nuisance dogs within the regulations of the Animal Control Bylaw.

November 17,22 Council Highlights

Bylaw 595 Fees & Charges Bylaw

Council approved 2^nd and 3^rd reading of the news Fees & Charges Bylaw to take effect January 1, 2023.

2023 Operating Budget

Council approved the 2023 Operating Budget in the amount of $3,040,010.

Bylaw 596 Consolidations and Corrections Bylaw

Council approved all readings of Bylaw 5996 Consolidations and Corrections Bylaw which allows Administration to consolidate bylaws that have been amended and to make grammatical or clerical corrections to bylaws.

Policy 17-02 Human Resources Policy

Council approved the Human Resources Policy with changes to the accrued sick time, office closure days at Christmas and removal of Firefighters from long-term service awards.

Sedgewick Recreation Board Mowing Agreement

Council rescinded the earlier motion approving the mowing of public lands by the Sedgewick Recreation Board staff effective 2023.

Interim CAO Contract

Council approved the extension and amendment to the Interim CAO contract.

October 20, 2022 Council Meeting Highlights

RECREATION TAX – RECREATION CENTRE HEATING COSTS

Council approve adding a monthly recreation fee to the utility billings at a rate to ensure that $40,000 is generated to be utilized for the recreation and culture grants to be provided to town-owned recreation and cultural facilities and that this fee would be effective January 1, 2023.

Fortis Alberta Franchise Fee

Council agree to increase the Fortis Alberta franchise fee from 9% to 10% effective January 1, 2023.

Flagstaff Family & Community Services 2023 Budget

Council approve the Flagstaff Family & Community Services 2023 budget in the amount of $435,105 with an expected requisition for the Town of Sedgewick of $7,039.25.

Flagstaff Waste 2023 Draft Budget

Council approve the Flagstaff Regional Solid Waste Management Association 2023 draft budget in the amount of $2,648,050 with an expected requisition for the Town of Sedgewick of $135,535.58.

Parkland Regional Library 2023 Proposed Budget

Council approve the Parkland Regional Library System 2023 proposed budget in the amount of $3,597,800 with an expected requisition for the Town of Sedgewick of $6,660.

Sedgewick Community Hall Board Request for Funding

Council will be setting aside the annual rent paid by the Sedgewick Public Library for future maintenance issues for their building, and also capped the building purchase and renovation fund at $147,000.

Sale of Tax Recovery Property

Council accept the offer of $5,000 for Plan 3825P; Block 9; Lot 7 as presented and direct Administration to write off all outstanding taxes..