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Council Meeting Highlights for December 9, 2025

These Council highlights are intended to provide a brief overview of the most significant decisions made during the Council meeting. To access more information about the items listed below and to view the full Council meeting agendas, minutes and meeting schedules, please click here.

Regular Meeting of Council: 

4.1      STARS Presentation

Council accepted the STARS presentation as information. Highlights from the presentation included:

  • STARS celebrating 40 years of providing critical care across Alberta;
  • Since 2010, 98 Ponoka residents have been transported by STARS (based on the Ponoka postal code);
  • STARS has recently introduced a virtual care platform for rural hospitals;
  • STARS asked that the Town of Ponoka consider funding $1 per capita as part of their municipal initiative program; and
  • STARS thanked Council for their work in advocating for the expansion of the helipad at the Ponoka Hospital.

To view the full presentation, please click here.

6.1      Bylaw 10-2025 Utility Rates for 2026

Council passed second and third reading of Bylaw 10-2025 Utility Rates. The purpose of this bylaw is to establish utility rates for water, sewer, solid waste and storm drainage for 2026. Utility rate increases are analyzed using actual costs and an estimated annual Alberta Consumer Price Index (CPI). 

  • Water consumption rate has increased by 15 per cent due to an equivalent increase in water purchase costs from North Red Deer Regional Water Commission. Flat rates have increased by CPI.
  • Sewer consumption rates are set at 30 per cent of the water rates and have therefore also seen an increase of 15 per cent. Flat rates have increased by CPI.
  • Garbage tipping fees have increased moderately, by less than one per cent.
  • Storm drainage system fees remain at $2 per month for residential and $2.50 per month for commercial. 

These increases and new rates support ongoing day-to-day operations, as well as providing funding for current and future capital projects.

6.2      Bylaw 11-2025 Electrical Distribution Tariff

Council passed second and third reading of Bylaw 11-2025 Electrical Distribution Tariff to amend Schedule 2 of the current tariff bylaw. As an electric distribution facility owner in Alberta, the Town of Ponoka is required by the provincial Electric Utilities Act to approve an Electrical Distribution Tariff to enable customer access to the distribution system. 

The changes to Schedule 2 of the Electrical Distribution Tariff Bylaw reflect a reasonable parity with Fortis customers living near the Town of Ponoka for the following distribution tariff rate classes. The increases represent a minimal impact to the monthly electrical bills paid by customers and position the Town’s electricity charges to be competitive with Fortis customers in the County and nearby communities. 

The increase in revenues will allow the Town to bolster the capital replacement reserve for future electrical system improvements as outlined in the Town’s capital budget:

  • Residential – five per cent increase
  • Small Commercial – two per cent increase
  • Large Commercial – two per cent increase
  • Streetlights – two per cent increase
  • Traffic Lighting – two per cent increase
  • Lane Lighting – two per cent increase
  • Balancing Pool Rate Rider – two per cent increase for all classes.

6.3      Bylaw 16-2025 Rate of Last Resort

Council passed the second and third reading of Bylaw 16-2025 to amend Appendix A of Bylaw 06-2024 - Regulated Rate Tariff Bylaw (Rate of Last Resort). 

The Regulated Rate Tariff bylaw sets the terms and rates for electrical customers who do not have a competitive electrical rate contract with a retailer. The amendment to the Town of Ponoka's Regulated Rate Tariff Bylaw is to ensure it remains consistent with the terms and conditions of the Town’s contracted regulated rate provider.

6.4      Residential and Commercial Incentive Programs

Council passed the second and third reading of:

  • Bylaw 13-2025 Residential New Build Incentive; 
  • Bylaw 14-2025 Major Home Renovation Incentive; and
  • Bylaw 15-2025 Commercial New Build Incentive.  

The Town of Ponoka offers residential and business incentive programs to attract new businesses and residents to Ponoka. To learn more, please click here.

7.2      Committee Appointments/Reappointments

Council passed motions to appoint the following individuals to the Community Enhancement Committee for the specified terms:

  • Appoint Charlotte Winters for a two-year term effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027; 
  • Appoint Jacquie Corkery for a one-year term effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026;
  • Reappoint Rian Orie for a two-year term effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027; and
  • Reappoint Sharon Klinger for an additional one-year term effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026.

7.2      Request from the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse Society

Council approved appointing a member of Ponoka Town Council to the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse Society Board of Directors for a two-year term. Council passed a motion to appoint Councillor Carla Lloyd for this position.

The Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse is an integral part of the Ponoka community for the past 31 years through the provision of a community-based mental health program that supports adults living with mental illness. This past year, funding for the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse moved from the ministry of Recovery Alberta to the ministry of Assisted Living and Social Services as a pilot project. In the coming year, it is anticipated that new opportunities will be presented to the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse through Assisted Living and Social Services.   

Town Council’s representation on the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse Society Board of Directors will provide added support through collaboration with the Town of Ponoka and advocating for the ongoing role this organization plays in our community. 

7.4      Administration Rates & Fees Bylaw No. 12-2025

Council passed the first reading of the Administration Rates & Fees Bylaw 12-2025. The updates to this bylaw include:

  • Criminal Record Check - change from ‘GST Included’ to ‘GST Exempt,’ as a result of a GST Audit held earlier this fall; and
  • To align with provincial legislation, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) has been updated to:
    1. Access to Information Act (ATIA); and
    2. Protection of Privacy Act (POPA).

7.5      2026 Interim Operating & Capital Budget

Council approved the:

  • 2026 Interim Operating and Capital Budgets as presented with a total source of funding for operating and capital of $23,968,170 and $15,438,678 respectively for a total of $39,406,848; 
  • 2026 staffing complement of 76.80 FTE;
  • Three-Year Financial Plan for operating as presented; 
  • Funding sources for the 2026 Interim Capital Budget as presented; and
  • Council approved the Five-Year Financial Plan for capital as presented.

7.6      Electricity Supplier Rate Contract Award

Council awarded the contract for electrical supplier rates for Town facilities to Alberta Municipalities for a period of four years effective January 1, 2026. The current agreement with ENMAX to provide electrical supply services to Town facilities expires December 31, 2025.  

10.1    Correspondence Item - Kathy Masters – November 28

The Town received a letter from Kathy Masters requesting that the Town look into lighting in the downtown area. 

10.2    Correspondence Item - Paul Neumann – November 21

The Town received a letter from Paul Neumann requesting the Town look at constructing concrete sidewalks along Highway 2A between 50 Street and Highway 53. 

10.3    Correspondence Item - Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs

The Town of Ponoka received a letter from the Minister of Municipal Affairs informing the Town the application has been approved for an Administrator Intern for 2026. The provincial government will provide the Town of Ponoka with a $62,500 grant to recruit and train a new or recent graduate who is pursuing a career in municipal administration, finance or land-use planning.

The Administrator stream offers interns a wide range of experiences in municipal policy, management and operations over an 18-month period. The goal is to gain knowledge and understanding of multiple areas of municipal administration that can be built upon as the intern's career progresses beyond the internship. For more information about the program, please click here. 

  • Next Regular Council Meeting: Tuesday, January 13 at 6 p.m.
  • The public is welcome to attend all Council meetings. Meetings are held in Town Council Chambers on the third floor of the Ponoka Civic Centre (5604 50 Street).