Yellowhead County Council briefs

2015 County Assessment – A presentation by Accurate Assessment gave an overview of residential and farmland, and non-residential (industry) assessments for 2015. Information on current industrial activity within Yellowhead County was also presented.

Nomination Deposit Bylaw – A Nomination Deposit Bylaw was introduced in Council that would require a $500 fee from any member of the public running for Council in an election. To bring attention to the seriousness and importance of elected office to the community, and to ensure potential candidates understand same, the Local Authorities Election Act does provide that, if approved by a bylaw, every nomination shall be accompanied with a deposit in the amount fixed in the bylaw. Under this legislation, for a candidate to get the fee returned, they must receive at least equal to half of the total number of votes cast for the candidate elected to office, or if the candidate withdraws prior to the election. First and second readings of the proposed bylaw were passed.

ANRTA – Council for Yellowhead County directed Administration to work with the Alberta Northern Rockies Tourism Alliance to ensure deliverables are developed which would benefit Yellowhead County and directs Administration to bring back the matter at that time. The ANRTA has requested funding from Yellowhead County to partner in regional tourism marketing for the area.

Bylaw 9.16 – Council gave first reading to Bylaw 09.16 that would rezone a property in the Hamlet of Niton Junction from Hamlet Residential (HR) District to Hamlet Commercial (HC) District. The landowner wishes to re-district this property to accommodate a future commercial storage facility. The application was referred to Alberta Transportation, and both Yellowhead County’s Infrastructure Services and Protective Services departments. A Public Hearing will be held on May 24, 2016.