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The North Red Deer Regional Wastewater Services Commission (NRDRWWSC) is pleased to announce that the North Red Deer Regional Wastewater System received the Project Achievement Award at the 2019 Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) Summit Awards, held in Calgary on April 25, 2019.

The Project Achievement Award recognizes an outstanding engineering or geoscience project that represents a substantial contribution to technological progress and the betterment of society. This award was last presented in 2016.

Designed by Stantec, the North Red Deer Regional Wastewater System promises a cleaner future for communities in central Alberta. Completed on time and under budget, the system incorporates innovative approaches and leading-edge technologies to provide a modern wastewater solution while protecting a sensitive watershed.

At its May 9, 2019 meeting, Council approved the Lacombe County 2019 operating and capital budgets and tax rate bylaw. As indicated in the interim budget, municipal tax rates for 2019 will increase by 2.0% for residential properties, and by 3.5% for farmland and 4.5% for non-residential properties over 2018 rates.

“Lacombe County Council voted to approve a budget for 2019 that recognizes the challenges and uncertainty that Alberta has faced over the past few years,” said Reeve Paula Law. “Maintaining the services our ratepayers expect is crucial, but we have consciously focused on reduced spending and smarter spending, which will be the path we will continue down for the foreseeable future.”

The 2019 tax rate changes for Lacombe County, Alberta Education*, and the Lacombe Foundation are as follows:

2019 Tax Rate Changes

* The official 2019 Alberta Education Requisition has not been released by the Province as the education tax rate is yet to be set. The County has estimated the requisition for 2019 by using 2019 equalized assessment and the 2018 school tax rate.

May 5-11, 2019 is Emergency Preparedness Week, and Lacombe County wants to know if you are 72-Hour Ready?  When the time comes, and an emergency happens, it’s crucial to know and understand the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of being prepared because in an emergency there is no time.  A key component of being prepared is to create a 72-Hour kit for you and your family.

“It’s always best to be ready before an emergency, these steps can save time if the unexpected were to occur,” said Drayton Bussiere, Lacombe County Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management.”

Lacombe County created a video to encourage and show people how to be “72-Hour Ready”. You can view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp9Y3LrAdl8&t=17s.

Lacombe County supports the use of volunteers and community groups to assist in the cleanup of road ditches and communities. Residents, community groups, and businesses are encouraged to participate in cleanup programs organized by volunteers and have several options to consider.

The Community Clean-Up Program is for an organization providing cleaning services by picking up litter within their community.

The Roadside Clean-Up Program is available for organizations to provide cleaning services by picking up garbage in the ditches along the roadway. Lacombe County shall make a donation to the organization in the form of a grant.

The Adopt-a-Highway Program concept allows a group/company/individual to adopt a minimum three-kilometre maximum five-kilometre section of the roadway by agreeing to pick the litter once a year, before the end of August. Lacombe County will provide identification signs adjacent to the highway section that will include the group/company/individual's name.

Thanks to the recent precipitation, Lacombe County has lifted its Fire Advisory.

Fire permits are still required for all outdoor fires, excluding fires used for cooking or warming purposes and burning barrels. The public is reminded that even though conditions are safer for burning, they need to familiar with the requirements included with burn permits and be diligent in following them. Fire permits can be requested through our iPhone app (myLacombeCounty), through our online Fire Permit Request form, over the phone, or in person.

“Even with the wet, cool weather, it’s important for the public to be cautious with controlled burns,” said Drayton Bussiere, Lacombe County Fire Chief.  “We also want to emphasize that any material from smoking, like cigarette butts, are disposed of responsibly, and not tossed from car windows.”

Please note the following projects starting up this month:

• Centreview Road (from Hwy 20 west 10.3km to Lockhart Road (Range Rd 2-5)) 
  Estimated Project timelines: May 13 - June 30, 2019 (weather permitting)
• Alix North Road (From the junction of Milton/Gadsby Lake Road (Twp 41-2) 6.7km north to Hwy 605)
  Estimated Project timelines: May 13 - May 22, 2019 (weather permitting)
• Range Road 24-4 (from the junction of Lakeside/Sargent Rd (Twp Rd 40-0) south to Twp Rd. 39-4)
  Estimated Project timelines: May 13 - June 13, 2019 (weather permitting)

"Read More" to see maps of the projects

Due to windy and dry conditions, a Fire Advisory has been issued for Lacombe County.

Existing fire permits remain valid (subject to suspension or cancellation). New fire permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis and may be restricted or require additional conditions. We ask that all conditions of valid fire permits are strictly adhered to.

What is allowed:

• Safe wood campfires in campgrounds (within fire rings), backyards, or random camping areas
• Burning barrels
• Charcoal briquettes
• Portable propane fire pits
• Gas or propane stoves and barbecues
• Catalytic or infrared-style heaters

Lacombe County in partnership with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry will be selling 2% Liquid Strychnine for the control of Richardson Ground Squirrels.

Producers can purchase the product on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Lacombe County Administration Office. There is a minimum purchase of 6 bottles/customer, and each bottle costs $10.50.