News Releases 2018

The Town of Blackfalds hosted the second Open House on the Northwest Area Master Stormwater Management Plan on June 27. The evening featured a presentation on the updated plan followed by an in-depth question and answer session with content experts and presented an opportunity for public input on this project.

During the question and answer period the following information was presented and is stated below for clarification:
A statement made at the Open House may have been interpreted to indicate that Lacombe County Council endorsed the Northwest Stormwater Plan. This was not the intent. Rather, the statement should have been that Lacombe County administration, through recent discussions with Town of Blackfalds administration, supports the concept of developing of a Lacombe Lake Management Plan with lake stakeholders.

Despite the best efforts over the past 18 months to revitalize the Mirror Fire Department, there has been no increase in volunteers for the fire department. Lacombe County will be holding a public meeting as one last revitalization effort on July 25, 2018, to speak with the community about their options and the ramifications of closing the fire department.

“We have to meet the minimum standards to make this department viable and to perform the duties of a fire department safely, we need to comply with regulations,” explained Lacombe County Fire Chief Drayton Bussiere. “At the end of the day, we need the community to understand the importance of these minimum standards, as well as how it will affect their service levels and potential impacts to insurance if the Fire Department is not revitalized.”

Municipal property tax notices were recently mailed out to Lacombe County ratepayers and should be appearing in mailboxes in the coming week. If you do not receive your 2018 tax notice by the end of June, please contact Lacombe County’s Assessment Department at 403-782-6601.

"We encourage ratepayers to be proactive and make sure their tax notice was received,” said Michael Minchin, Manager of Corporate Services. “To avoid all penalties, tax payments must be received by last business day in August."

The County’s tax notice is a combined assessment and tax notice.

• Anyone wishing to appeal their assessment has 60 days from the notice of assessment date to do so. A per parcel fee will be charged for people making complaints against assessments. If the Assessment Review Board makes a decision in favour of the complainant, the fee will be refunded.
• Property owners who miss the tax payment deadline will have a 6% penalty applied on September 1, 2018, on the outstanding taxes owing. An additional 10% penalty will be added on December 1 for all taxes remaining unpaid after November 30.

Lacombe, Alberta, Friday, June 15, 2018 – CN Rail has notified Lacombe County that they are planning to close the Lakeside Sargent Road at Range Road 26-5 on June 19, 2018 from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Traffic will be detoured along local roads during the closure; watch for signs indicating the detour routes.

For more information contact:

Kevin Beavis
CN Rail
403-304-4114

With Canada Day celebrations approaching, Lacombe County reminds all residents that a fireworks permit is required if you wish to sell, purchase or set off fireworks within the province of Alberta.

“The use of fireworks is regulated under the Alberta Fire Code, and there are no exceptions to the rules spelled out in the code,” says Drayton Bussiere Lacombe County Fire Chief. “If you plan on shooting off fireworks, regardless of the time of the year, a fireworks permit is required within Lacombe County.”

Bussiere notes that conditions of having a Fireworks permit includes permission from adjacent landowners so it is important to discuss fireworks plans with your neighbors in advance. Fireworks can also not be set off from public lands or roadways, if there is a fire ban, or if wind exceeds 20 km/h.

Thanks to the recent cooler temperatures and light 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 conditions are still relatively dry even though they are safer for burning and to ensure they are familiar with the conditions included with permitted burns. Fire permits can be requested through our iPhone app (myLacombeCounty), through our online Fire Permit Request form, over the phone, or in person.

Please visit our website (www.lacombecounty.com) for the most current information.

At its May 10 meeting, Council approved the Lacombe County 2018 operating and capital budgets and tax rate bylaw. As indicated in the interim budget, municipal tax rates for 2018 will increase by 2.5% for residential properties, and by 4.5% for farmland and non-residential properties over 2017 rates.

The 2018 tax rate changes for Lacombe County, Alberta Education, and the Lacombe Foundation are as follows:

2018 Tax Rate Changes

The governments of Canada and Alberta recognize how important investing in modern reliable wastewater services is to building healthy sustainable communities for Albertans.

On May 4, Amarjeet Sohi, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Brian Mason, Alberta Minister of Transportation, attended a commissioning ceremony for the North Red Deer Regional Wastewater System. Also participating in the event were Grant Creasey, mayor of Lacombe, Richard Poole, mayor of Blackfalds, Paula Law, reeve of Lacombe County and Tara Veer, mayor of Red Deer.

The new wastewater transmission system connects the communities of Lacombe, Blackfalds and Lacombe County to the wastewater treatment facility in Red Deer with a 28-kilometre pipeline. The new system also includes two major lift stations, emergency storage reservoirs and odour management measures.

This project will address the region’s critical wastewater needs, helping safeguard the health and well-being of central-Alberta residents. It will also allow the participating communities to meet current federal and provincial wastewater regulations, and help protect local waterways and ecosystems. 

Lacombe County has received several inquiries about a water storage project south of the Town of Bentley. If you have any questions or concerns about this project, please contact Vesta Energy.

Due to the dry conditions, Lacombe County has issued a Fire Advisory.

While valid fire permits can be used, the County will not be issuing anymore until the fire threat has been minimized. We ask that all conditions of valid fire permits are strictly adhered to.

Allowed

• Burns with permits issued prior to May 1
• Bylaw compliant backyard and camping fires
• Cooking/recreational appliances that produce heat & can be turned off with a switch
• Portable propane fire pits

The public is asked to make sure all fires are completely extinguished before leaving unattended. 

If the fire hazard continues to increase, further restrictions may be implemented. Please follow our website, www.lacombecounty.com, for the most current information.

Please note: Alberta Environment has advised that they are going to be gradually releasing some water from the Dickson Dam. This shouldn't impact Lacombe County significantly.

If you want more information, or to see if you could be impacted, please visit https://rivers.alberta.ca and zoom into your area.

The April County News is here! You can read it online here, or pick up your copy from the Lacombe County Office.

Our next submission date is on May 11...

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 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.

Lacombe County will be hosting a two-day voluntary farm vehicle safety check at our new public works shops located in the east and west sides of the County.  The purpose of this check is to increase both the safety and the awareness of our agricultural industry as it relates to vehicle safety.

Details:

Please show up any time between 9:00-3:00; refreshments and lunch will be provided.  Call the number below to book a time, or just stop in.  Those who book a time will be prioritized, drop ins will be fit in.    

(NOTE: if bringing multiple vehicles, please space arrival times by approximately 20 minutes).

Locations:

• April 17, west County Shop located on Rainy Creek Road near RR3-0.
• April 18, east County Shop located on Hwy 12 and Hwy 821, Tees.

Lacombe County’s Rural Crime Resolution was brought forward and supported by its counterparts during the 2018 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Spring Convention on March 19-21. The semiannual event gives rural municipalities the opportunity to discuss and address shared issues and concerns.

The Rural Crime Resolution speaks to the frustrations and shortcomings felt by rural residents and calls for a review of the justice system and sentencing reforms to address repeat offenders, as well as identifying new strategies and initiatives at federal and provincial levels to prevent rural crime.

Effective Monday, March 26, 2018 at 7 AM the attached bans will be in effect on Lacombe County roads.

You can see all the full details, including the Road Ban Map and Listings here: https://www.lacombecounty.com/index.php/road-maintenance/road-ban-listings 

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.

Purchase Procedure
All sales handled at Lacombe County Administration Office.
Producers must attend a mandatory 10 minute training session held on sale days. Training session only needs to be attended once for purchase product during the 2018 season.

Lacombe County reminds ice hut owners to remove the ice fishing huts before the spring thaw arrives to protect the sensitive lake environment.

While ice huts do not need to be legally removed from local lakes – including Sylvan Lake, Gull Lake, and Buffalo Lake – until March 31, the County emphasizes the importance of getting these structures —and all garbage collected over the season—off before the ice surface deteriorates.

“Our lakes contain sensitive ecosystems, and by removing your ice hut from the ice before the lake begins to thaw will protect the animal and plant life, as well as the water quality,” said Jennifer Berry, Environmental Coordinator for Lacombe County. “We all want our lakes to remain healthy, so we can enjoy them safely all year round, and not have people swimming or boating in contaminated water.”

The March 2018 County News is there! You can read it online HERE, grab a copy from the Lacombe County office, or call the office to get on the mailing list.

Lacombe County Council voted unanimously to endorse Private Member’s Motion M-167, proposed by Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs. Stubbs has asked the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security to undertake a study on rural crime in Canada and recommend crime reduction initiatives.

“Lacombe County Council has been actively involved in Rural Crime Watch Associations across the County, and we are concerned about the rate in which rural crime has escalated in the past years,” said Reeve Paula Law. “Crime is a major problem in rural areas across Alberta, and we urgently need new strategies to address police shortages and current limitations of our justice system for the safety of our rural communities.”

Bridge Construction on Aspelund Road (Twp. Rd. 39-4)

(Lacombe, Alberta, Monday, March 12, 2018) – Bridge construction is scheduled to begin on April 2, 2018. Construction includes the widening of the existing bridge structure and is expected to be completed by July 15, 2018. The bridge is located at the intersection of the Aspelund Road and Range Road 1-0. Traffic will be reduced to one lane over the bridge for the duration of construction.

For more information contact: 

Bill Cade

Public Works Supervisor

Lacombe County

403-782-6601

After a successful inaugural health and safety fair in 2017, Lacombe County is excited to announce its second annual “Spring Tune Up” event. Anyone interested in their health and in farm safety is invited to attend this free event, which will feature a variety of healthcare and safety professionals.

“Our goal is to give back to the community, especially to our agricultural producers and rural business owners who work so hard for us,” explained Jalene Makus, Lacombe County Assistant Ag Fieldman and event organizer. “It’s our way of saying ‘thanks’.”

The event will run from 10am to 5pm at the Lacombe Memorial Centre on March 29. It is open to anyone in and around Lacombe County to attend and will have many different booths and services available, as well as door prizes for all attendees.

Everyone who attends the event will have their name entered for door prizes. The organizations who will be on site for this year’s event include:

• Alberta Agriculture & Forestry
• Alberta Mental Health
• Building Bridges to Health Naturally
• Choosing Wisely Alberta
• City of Lacombe
• Just Safety PPE
• Lung Association
• Man Van
• Passion for Health
• Primary Care Network
• Strategic Hearing Solutions
• Young Living Oils

To learn more about the event or for any questions please call Jalene at 403-782-8959 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Jalene Makus
Assistant Agricultural Fieldman
Lacombe County                                  
(403) 782-8959
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Rural crime was one of the leading issues raised during Lacombe County’s Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw review, and has been highlighted as a concern during recent meetings with local crime prevention groups and during town hall meetings set up by MP Blaine Calkins. Earlier this month, Lacombe County Council approved the release of Lacombe County's Guide to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design—referred to as CPTED (pronounced SEP-TED) —sets out easy to incorporate design principles for properties, which can greatly reduce the chance of a crime occurring

In addition to the CPTED Guide, Lacombe County held professional training for numerous County staff who are now certified CPTED Inspectors. These individuals can conduct site assessments for homes and businesses, as well as review design plans for future developments. This training was paid for through the Rural Crime Prevention Program, which the County had allocated funding for, and included representatives from many urban neighbours and local community groups.

Like last year, Lacombe County’s fire permit season will start a month earlier on March 1, 2018, coinciding with changes made by the provincial government. Getting a permit is free and easy to obtain through the myLacombeCounty app (Apple users), online, over the phone, or by coming in person to the Lacombe County office.

“In response to changing conditions in our environment, often resulting in drier spring conditions, the provincial government has moved up Fire Permit season by a month,” explained Drayton Bussiere, Lacombe County Fire Chief.

Burning without a fire permit can result in a hefty fine. 

Under Lacombe County’s Fire Protection Policy, anyone found burning without a permit will be required to pay for the fire department response fees. A flat rate of $300 will be charged for responses to a fire when a person is in contravention of the Forest and Prairie Protection Act for failure to have a fire permit or any other provision of the Act and fire suppression is not required.

The Centre for Peace and Justice at Burman University is starting a Conflict Skills Workshop series. The workshops will teach individuals, of Lacombe, Lacombe County, and Blackfalds, how to communicate effectively, de-escalate conflicts cooperatively and use disputes as opportunities to build collaborative relationships. We need your input to help us plan this exciting new project. Take a few minutes to fill out this short survey.

If you live in the area, take a few moments to fill out their survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcAkpw6trCHh_nFvF7Vr_olrHunJI8vEfhfZOiojCEtvnGEg/viewform