JANA SEMENIUK
Canada Day fireworks, an increase in funding for Economic Development and scrapping of attendance at the Alberta Municipalities conferences, were some of the highlights at the Nov. 20 Bruderhiem town council meeting where the 2025 Interim Budget was approved.
Chief Administrative Officer Phyllis Forsyth said that although the interim budget has been approved, it can still be adjusted when the final budget comes forward in May.
“Council may revisit parts of it when we receive the final assessments and requisitions,” she clarified by email.
Every gallery seat was taken by the public during the meeting, and attendees were glad they came in person. The
Town’s audio for their online livestreaming wasn’t working well for the entire three-hour meeting.
Among the first items for discussion were attendance at conferences. CAO Forsyth brought forward a number of conferences to consider for 2025 including spring and fall training sessions with Alberta Municipalities incurring costs for registration per attendee plus travel and remuneration, although Forsyth did not include dollar amounts.
She also brought forward the Alberta Industrial Heartland Association (AIHA) conference in Lake Louise for $999 per person plus travel and remuneration, as well as an in-house councillor training session mandatory after every election.
The next municipal election is Oct. 2025. Forsyth said the cost for the training session would be $10,000.
Councillors voted to forego all Alberta Municipalities conferences for 2025 with only Mayor Karl Hauch opposed.
The Town’s total tax collection for 2024 was $1,526,512 and expected to increase by just over $45,000, (2.9 percent) for 2025. The tax rate for 2025 won’t be passed until the final budget in May.
CAO Forsyth said council members decided against a remuneration increase during a previous session that was closed to the public.
