Town of Ponoka Council Highlights - November 25, 2025

Friday, November 28, 2025 at 12:00 AM

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:

6.1 2025-2026 Council Meeting Schedule

Council approved meeting dates for Regular Council Meetings and Priorities and Initiatives Meetings from November 2025 to October 2026.

7.1 Application to the Alberta Municipal Water and Wastewater Program (AMWWP) Wastewater Treatment Facility Headworks Improvements (Early Works)

Council approved a motion to authorize Administration to submit a grant funding application for $5,127,363 to the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership for the 2026 Wastewater Treatment Facility Headworks Improvements.

In September 2025, the Province of Alberta issued the Town of Ponoka a new 10-year operating approval for the Wastewater Treatment Facility under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. The approval establishes new, more stringent provincial effluent treatment requirements to be achieved through phased upgrades beginning in 2026.

To comply with the new approval, the Town of Ponoka must undertake three major phases of Wastewater Treatment Facility upgrades:

Early Works (2026–2027) – focused on headworks, screening, conveyance and flow diversions.
Phase 1 (August 31, 2031) – mechanical treatment upgrades.
Phase 2 (August 31, 2035) – tertiary treatment improvements.

The Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership is a provincial cost-sharing program supporting municipal water and wastewater infrastructure. The program prioritizes environmental protection and projects that improve effluent quality—making Ponoka’s Wastewater Treatment Facility upgrades well-aligned with program objectives. Funding allocations are determined by a population-based formula using the most recent municipal census. For municipalities under 10,000 population, such as Ponoka, the Town is eligible for 38.64 per cent provincial funding.

7.2 County Residential District

Council approved a Notice of Motion for Administration to explore the possibility of Country Residential designations within the Town of Ponoka.

7.3 Crosswalk Markings

Council approved a Notice of Motion directing Administration to look into crosswalk markings around the community, specifically around playground areas and intersections, as well as the potential for a veterans’ crosswalk by the Ponoka Legion.

7.4 Land Disposition – 5501 and 5503 50 Street

Council approved a motion directing administration to negotiate an Offer to Purchase with a private developer in accordance with the Town’s Land Management Policy for the following surplus properties: 5501 and 5503 50 Street. Administration will bring back the Offer to Purchase at an upcoming meeting for Council’s review.

7.5 Bylaw 16-2025 Rate of Last Resort

Council passed the first 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.

7.6 Residential and Commercial Incentive Programs

Council approved first reading of:

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

Council also passed a motion approving:

CP-27 New Resident Incentive Policy; and
CP-18 New Business Grant.

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

7.7 Bylaw 11-2025 Electrical Distribution Tariff

Council approved first reading of Bylaw 11-2025 Electrical Distribution Tariff to amend Schedule 2 of the 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.

7.8 Bylaw 10-2025 Utility Rates for 2026

Council approved first 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.

7.9 Ponoka Community Christmas 2025

Council approved a donation of $1,000 to the 2025 Ponoka Community Christmas Dinner to be funded from the Council's advertising, promotions and sponsorship budget.

7.10 Holiday Hours, Christmas Management Plan and Employee Recognition

Council accepted as information the 2025 Town of Ponoka Holiday Hours, Christmas Management Plan and Employee Recognition Plan.

12.1 Notice of Motion – Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse

Councillor Carla Lloyd made a Notice of Motion to explore the possibility of having a Council representative sit on the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse board for a two-year term.

Next Regular Council Meeting: Tuesday, December 9 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).