News Releases 2017

You can read the December County News online here: https://www.lacombecounty.com/index.php/county-news/2017-editions/2813-county-news-december-2017 

Lacombe County’s 2017 State of the Environment Report was released last week, offering people a glimpse into the current conditions of the environment. Using a combination of scientific data and socio-economic factors, the document also offers insight into the various pressures impacting Lacombe County.

Lacombe County recognizes the importance of the environment, and is aware of the role it plays in being a responsible steward of the land. Some highlights of the County’s work include:

Following a successful first season of the “Take it Off” program on Gull Lake, Lacombe County is expanding the program to include Buffalo Lake for the 2017-2018 ice fishing season. Anglers on both Gull Lake and Buffalo Lake can register their ice hut online by visiting the Lacombe County website or by calling the County Office at 403-782-8959.

“Last year, we were pleased to have zero ice huts left on Gull Lake or on Sylvan Lake,” said Lacombe County Environmental Coordinator Jennifer Berry. “We are excited to launch this program on Buffalo Lake, as well, as another way to protect our water resources.”

(Lacombe, Alberta, December 4, 2017) Over the month of December, Lacombe County and the City of Lacombe are teaming up for a County-wide recruitment campaign for volunteer firefighters.

“In the past, the City did its own drive for volunteers in December, while the County would recruit throughout the year, as needed,” explained Drayton Bussiere, Lacombe County Fire Chief. “By combining efforts, we hope to better promote our teams throughout the County, as well as our need for volunteers.”

On November 30, Lacombe County Council adopted the County’s 2018 interim operating and capital budgets. The budgets continue to follow priorities set out in the County’s Strategic Plan and its long-range road construction and capital equipment replacement plans. They also reflect the desire to support the maintenance of existing service levels, while undertaking some new initiatives, such as funding for an RCMP enhanced position to help combat crime in our area.

The $56,315,470 interim operating budget is balanced and is supported by a 2.5% property tax rate increase for residential properties and 4.5% property tax rate increase for all other properties and a transfer of $322,300 from the tax rate stabilization reserve. The 2.5% property tax rate increase represents an additional $24.40 in taxes on a $400,000 residential property.

“The 2018 budget recognizes the challenges Alberta has faced over the past few years due to the economic downturn – both from a municipal, ratepayer, and industry perspective,” said Manager of Corporate Services Tim Timmons. “Council felt this budget will allow Lacombe County to take advantage of the competitive pricing environment for new infrastructure projects, while protecting our existing infrastructure assets.”

During the October 24 Organizational Meeting, Lacombe County Councillors were officially sworn in, including newcomer John Ireland, who was elected to Division 1 in the 2017 Municipal Election.

County Council also re-elected Division 4 Councillor Paula Law as Reeve for a fifth one-year term. Councillor Law assumed the Reeve’s Chair after taking her Oath of Office from Corporate Services Manager, Tim Timmons, and expressed thanks to Council for its continuing support.

(Lacombe, Alberta) – Below are the official results of Lacombe County’s 2017 municipal election.

(Lacombe, Alberta) – Below are the unofficial results of Lacombe County’s 2017 municipal election.
Official results will be distributed at noon on Friday, October 20, 2017.

Pursuant to Municipal Government Act M-26.1 534(1) Lacombe County hereby provides notice
to any person having an interest in land that is adjacent to lands which Lacombe County has
constructed a public road. Persons entitled to compensation from the municipality for loss of or
the permanent lessening of use of that person’s land caused by the public work are advised to
make a claim within 60 days after this notice is published.

The following roads have been completed as of October 10, 2017:

Project:
Number C0201

Description:
West of 6, 7, 19 & SW 19-40-1 W5
Rge Rd 2-0 (from Twp Rd 41-0; 2 ½ miles north to
North boundary of SW 19-41-1 W5)

For more information, please contact:
Bill Cade
Public Works Supervisor
(403) 782-3567

(UPDATED OCT. 19)

Lacombe County would like to advise the public on the following projects. These projects could result in detours for people travelling. You can learn more by clicking on the documents below.

• Road Construction: Twp Road 41-4 (Junction of Hwy 792 west 1 mile to Range Road 28-2). Project expected to start on Sept. 29, and be completed in mid-November (weather permitting)
  pdf PUBLIC NOTICE OF MUNICIPAL WORKS C4141 (677 KB)
• Road Construction: Twp Road 40-2 (From the Junction of Range Road 1-2, running 2.5 miles east to Range Road 28-4 (2 miles south of the Town of Bentley). Construction started on August 21, and is expected to be completed at the end of September (weather permitting).
  pdf PUBLIC NOTICE OF MUNICIPAL WORKS C4022 (539 KB)
• Bridge Construction: 1.5 miles North of Highway 12 on Range Road 24-1. This project started on August 21, and is expected to be completed in mid-October (weather permitting)
  pdf PUBLIC NOTICE OF MUNICIPAL WORKS BF8739 (625 KB)
• Bridge Construction: Over Medicine River on Twp Road 392. Project started on July 20, and is expected to be completed in mid-November (weather permitting)
    pdf PUBLIC NOTICE OF MUNICIPAL WORKS BF6914 (810 KB)  - UPDATED

 (Lacombe, Alberta, Friday, September 29, 2017) – CP Rail has notified Lacombe County of the following road closures: 

• October 1, 2017 – Range Road 27-4 (between Highway 12 and Township Road 40-2), and Township Road 40-2 (between Range Roads 27-3 and 27-4).
• October 2, 2017 – Township Road 40-2 (between Range Roads 27-2 and 27-4).
• October 3, 2017 – Range Road 27-3 (between Highway 12 and Township Road 40-2), and Township Road 40-2A (east of Range Road 27-3).
• October 4, 2017 – Range Road 27-1 (between Highway 12 and Township Road 40-2).

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

For more information contact:

Steve Ricketts
CP Rail
587-983-1907

The September County News is here. You can read it online HERE, or stop by the County Office for a copy.

The 2017 Municipal Election is almost here! Advance voting takes place on Oct. 2, 2017, and Election Day is on Oct. 16, 2017. Details on the voting locations are below.

Only eligible voters can participate, and those who vote must follow the voter identification requirements. Learn more here: https://www.lacombecounty.com/index.php/188-council/election/1364-how-do-i-vote

X – Denotes Incumbent

The 2017 municipal election will be held on Monday, October 16, 2017 between 10 am and 8 pm. Advance voting will take place on Monday, October 2, 2017 between 2 pm and 8 pm.

For more information contact:

X – Denotes Incumbent

Candidates have until 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, September 19^th to withdraw their names from consideration for municipal election.

(Lacombe County, September 13, 2017) – Thanks to the cooler temperatures and recent precipitation, Lacombe County has lifted its Fire Ban.

Fire permits are still required for all outdoor fires, excluding fires used for cooking or warming purposes and burning barrels. The public is asked to make sure all fires are completely extinguished before leaving them unattended. 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.

Lacombe, Alberta (September 11, 2017) – The City of Lacombe and Lacombe County today celebrated a historic milestone with the signing of two significant joint agreements, which lead the way for the servicing and future development of lands near the interchange of Queen Elizabeth II Highway (QE II) and Highway 12 at the western edge of Lacombe.

“The agreements we are signing today mark a significant step forward, and should be regarded as a historic moment for our two communities,” said Lacombe County Reeve Paula Law. “We are honoured to stand here with the City of Lacombe to set in motion the development of the Lacombe West Area Servicing Project, which will provide for future growth and development in both Lacombe County and the City of Lacombe.”

Effective Immediately: Lacombe County has issued a Fire Ban for the County. No new fire permits will be issued, and existing permits are hereby cancelled. 

No burning barrels are permitted under this ban. Fires for cooking or warming purposes, gas/propane stoves, barbeques and portable propane fire pits are permitted, but must be attended at all times.

This ban remains in effect until further notice.

Lacombe, Alberta (August 29, 2017) – City Council endorsed the Joint Economic Servicing and the Capital Project Contribution agreements as proposed, then gave first reading to Bylaw 430, a proposed borrowing bylaw for the undertaking of the West Area Servicing Project.

“The City of Lacombe continues to work with Lacombe County to ensure that growth and development along our borders is beneficial to both municipalities,” said City of Lacombe Mayor Steve Christie. “We are working together in our Joint Economic Area to accommodate rural development and sustainable urban growth in a manner that is mutually acceptable, orderly and efficient.”

“It is exciting to take this next step forward in our Joint Economic Area, which will provide for future growth and development in both Lacombe County and the City of Lacombe,” said Lacombe County Reeve Paula Law. “The Lacombe West Area Servicing Project is a great example of how rural and urban municipalities can work together in providing new opportunities that will benefit all our communities.”

The August County News is here!

You can read it here:  pdf County News August 2017 (4.20 MB)

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Click "read more" for more details:

(Lacombe County, Alberta, August 10, 2017) – Lacombe County invites the public to three grand opening celebrations for some new recreational areas. These new offerings are Anderson Park (east side of Gull Lake), Mary & Cliff Soper Natural Area (east of the Blackfalds Bottle Depot on South Street), and Sandy Point Beach (west side of Gull Lake).

“We are so pleased to offer these areas to people of all ages and interests, so they can enjoy the outdoors in our beautiful county,” said Reeve Paula Law. “Each location provides a different way to enjoy the outdoors, whether it’s playing a game of disc golf, enjoying nature on some quiet trails, or soaking up the sun at the beach.”

Details of these events are as follows:

The July 2017 County News is here! You can read it online, or pick up a copy at the County Administration office.

(Blackfalds, July 13, 2017) – Engine #3 is now in service.

 Lacombe County and the Town of Blackfalds celebrated the official commissioning of the new Rescue / Pumper unit, and invited the community to get a close-up look at the new fire truck.

The state-of-the-art Rescue / Pumper unit, now known as Engine #3, was built by MaxiMetal in Quebec and arrived from Wholesale Fire & Rescue LTD. out of Calgary. The total cost of the unit was $572,344, with a $350,000 Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) grant covering the majority of it. Lacombe County and the Town of Blackfalds split the outstanding amount, each paying $87,000 for the new truck.

(Lacombe, July 11, 2017) – Thanks to the cooler temperatures and 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 asked to make sure all fires are completely extinguished before leaving them unattended. 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.