Council Meeting Highlights for January 13, 2026

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      STARS Funding Request

Council passed a motion to direct administration to bring forward the funding request to the 2026 final budget for consideration.

At the December 9, 2025, Regular Council Meeting, a representative from STARS provided Town Council with a presentation outlining the services they provide, the geographical areas served, as well as statistical information for Ponoka regarding the number of patients flown by STARS over the last five years. In conjunction with this presentation, STARS submitted a funding request of $1 per capita for 2026.

6.2      Administration Rates and Fees Bylaw No. 12-2025

Council passed the second and third 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 this past fall; and 
• To align with provincial legislation, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) has been updated to: Access to Information Act (ATIA) and Protection of Privacy Act (POPA).

7.1      2025 Code of Code Regulation – Annual Compliance Report

Council approved the 2025 Code of Conduct Regulation - Annual Compliance Report.

The Code of Conduct Regulation (AR 58/2025) under the Electric Utilities Act and the Gas Utilities Act requires the Town of Ponoka to file an annual compliance report with the Alberta Utilities Commission within 90 days after the end of the calendar year.

7.2      Partial Refund of 2025 Property Taxes

Council reviewed the request for a tax adjustment and passed a motion to decline the partial refund on property tax roll numbers 408565, 408570, 408575, 408580, 408585 and 408590.

7.3      Ponoka Jubilee Library Board Appointments/Reappointments

Council tabled the reappointments of Ponoka Jubilee Library Board members until the January 27 Regular Council Meeting pending additional information.

10.4    Minister of Justice – December 18, 2025

Mayor Ferguson sent a letter to the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada in early December. In this letter, Mayor Ferguson addresses:

• The community impact and hidden cost that repeat offenders and criminal activity has on the Town of Ponoka; and
• The need for the Government of Canada to reform the criminal code.

11.1    Rimoka Housing Foundation Board Minutes

Rimoka Housing Foundation Board Meeting Minutes were provided to Council for information. Please click here to view the meeting minutes.

11.2    2025 Collections and Write-offs

The 2025 Collections and Write-offs were provided to Council for information. This report outlines outstanding receivable balances for 2025 that will be issued to collections.

13.1    Closed Session

Following the Closed Session, Council approved a motion to accept an offer to purchase 5501 and 5503, 50 Street for $20,000 each from Jelda Jayne Miranda and Sardhar Shaik in accordance with CP-22 Land Management Policy, subject to the execution of a sale agreement between the purchasers and the Town.

Next Regular Council Meeting: Tuesday, January 27 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).