DID YOU KNOW THE MD REGULARLY POSTS
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE LATEST COUNCIL MEETING
ON YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY KIOSK?
Q: There is a lot of talk
about intermunicipal
cooperation. What is
that about?
“Intermunicipal cooperation
is one critical area where
we are far ahead of most
municipalities. One shining
example is our Tri-Council
collaboration with the Town of
Slave Lake and Sawridge First
Nation. We continue to work
steadfastly with our neighbours
including Big Lakes, Athabasca,
Westlock, Woodlands,
Opportunity and Northern
Sunrise on agreements.”
Q: What are some of the
MD’s biggest challenges to
mitigate/overcome?
“Some of our capital projects
have been placed on hold until
the economy recovers. Freezes
on assessment modifiers
and increased costs from the
carbon tax have not helped
either. The already-high costs
of resource road maintenance
and bridge repairs appear to
be climbing, so we hope the
provincial government will
realize where their royalties
come from and assist more in
this regard.”
Q: Why is the MD
spending more on road
infrastructure this year?
“Over the last few years we have
increased gravelling programs
and ditch pulls. The schedule
we had been using was setting
us further behind, which
would have led to much higher
costs in the future had we not
remedied it. Our new program
is costing more at present, but
will save us considerable money
in the future.
Maintaining infrastructure
while remaining fiscally prudent
is a never-ending balancing act.
Much time is spent on budget
as our assessment is shrinking,
which reduces our finances.
Council works hard to continue
to deliver services to our
residents without forcing big
tax increases.“
Q: If you could change
one thing in Lesser Slave
River, what would it be?
“Our rural municipality is special
because of the parts that
DON’T change, like our enviable
natural assets or the close-knit
fabric of our communities. Our
job on Council is to preserve
these aspects of the MD while
evolving processes to help our
region do business better, and
to attract newcomers to Lesser
Slave River. I am excited about
the economic development
initiatives we have begun to
help us achieve these goals“
Q: What does the
future of Lesser Slave
River look like to you?
“I believe we have a Council
that cares about our future,
and a staff that never fails
to work above and beyond
requirements to steward
our region and satisfy the
needs of its residents. With
continued fiscal restraint and
resourcefulness, I am confident
we will weather this economic
downturn while continuing
to cement our MD’s stellar
reputation in the eyes of the
rest of Alberta.”
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