City of Brooks Organizational Appointments - These are the Board, Committees, and Commission councillor appointments for 2024/2025.

Mayor John Petrie  

1. Intermunicipal Development Plan Committee (IMDP)  

2. Joint Shared Services Committee  

3. Mid-sized Cities Mayor’s Caucus  

4. Palliser Economic Partnership (PEP)

5. Newell Foundation  

6. Route 36 Highway Association

7. Southeast Mayor and Reeves

Councillor Joel Goodnough - Deputy Mayor

1. Brooks Region Tourism  

2. Community Futures Entre-Corp  

3. Intermunicipal Development Plan Committee (IMDP)  

4. Joint Shared Services Committee  

5. Municipal Planning Commission  

6. Sign Committee

7. Silver Sage Agricultural Society

Councillor Mohammed Idriss - Acting Mayor

1. Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ)  

2. City of Brooks Library Board  

3. Intermunicipal Development Plan Committee (IMDP)  

4. Intermunicipal Subdivision & Development Appeal Board (SDAB)  

5. Joint Shared Services Committee  

6. Safe Communities Committee

7. Shortgrass Library Board

8. Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce

9. Youth Advisory Committee  

Councillor Ray Juska  

1. Airport Commission  

2. Bow River Basin Water Council  

3. Brooks & District Museum  

4. Communities in Bloom  

5. Emergency Management Committee  

6. Environmental Advisory Committee (EcoBrooks)  

7. Oldman River Regional Services Commission Board (ORRSC)

8. Sign Committee

9. Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association (SAEWA)

Councillor Jon Nesbitt  

1. Arts, Culture & Heritage Board  

2. Emergency Management Committee  

3. Newell Regional Services Corporation (NRSC)

4. Recreation and Parks Board

Councillor Bill Prentice  

1. Airport Commission  

2. Municipal Planning Commission  

3. Newell Recycling Association

4. Newell Regional Services Corporation (NRSC)

5. Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority

6. Sign Committee

7. Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association (SAEWA) (alternate)

Councillor Marissa Wardrop  

1. Brooks Co-Design Lab  

2. Grasslands Regional FCSS  

3. Inter-City Forum on Social Policy (ICFSP)  

4. Intermunicipal Subdivision & Development Appeal Board (SDAB)  

5. Newell 9-1-1 Dispatch Association

6. Newell Foundation  

7. Recreation and Parks Board

8. Welcoming Inclusive Community Committee

New School Site - During a public hearing to consider redesigning the Old Rodeo Grounds as a location for a new school residents expressed safety concerns. They shared worries about the Old Rodeo Grounds’ proximity to a truck route and train tracks. City representatives acknowledged these concerns and emphasized that redesignation of the land is just the beginning of the process. A Transportation Impact Assessment (TIA), is required before construction begins. It was noted that provincial support may assist with a future truck bypass at this location.

Brooks Minor Hockey Association (BMHA) is hosting five tournaments this season and faces challenges in attracting teams due to limited hotels with pool facilities. BMHA has requested the City provide up to 60 youth passes per tournament to the JBS Canada Centre for teams staying in hotels without pools. This request, was approved in 2022 and 2023 and resulted in 304 passes issued last year, with 119 used. If approved for the next three seasons, this donation—valued at about $2,000 per year—would be funded through Grants to Organizations.

Future Road Improvements - The five-year street improvement map was reviewed, highlighting upcoming road projects. Discussions included project timing and potential impacts from the new Junior High School construction, as well as other roads needing improvements beyond the current five-year plan. The city will explore a special tax bylaw to address funding gaps for future road improvements.

Significant challenges exist with the City’s lagoon infrastructure, which lacks the flexibility and capacity to meet current requirements and accommodate future growth. With limited capacity in existing infrastructure and a preference from the Eastern Irrigation District for new disposal methods, the City is under pressure to enhance its wastewater management system for long-term sustainability.

Enforcing cardboard recycling - Council discussed the challenges in enforcing commercial cardboard recycling. It was suggested that a bylaw to make recycling mandatory is needed. The City will research other municipalities' approaches and draft a bylaw for future consideration.

2025 Budget - Staff have identified the following specific areas which will create significant impacts on the 2025 budget:

• RCMP 2027 Population Phase-in $186,500.

• Debt Repayment Public Works Building.

• Collective Bargaining Settlements 1.75 for wages

• Employee benefit changes - a trend of rate increases well above inflation.

• Utility (electricity, natural gas, etc.), chemicals and core maintenance supplies.

• Increase Operating funding related to franchise fees.

• Phasing in the impact of the loss of provincial capital funding and infrastructure needs.

The guiding principles for the 2025 budget include maintaining service levels, aligning with the Strategic Plan, enhancing customer service, keeping tax rates competitive, implementing an infrastructure renewal plan, identifying efficiencies, and setting appropriate service rates while being responsible stewardship of public funds. The City will also actively seek provincial and federal funding opportunities. Budget packages are expected to be available to the public by late November.

Your property tax helps fund essential services such as policing, fire, snow removal, economic development, playgrounds, recreation, road maintenance, and more. This survey is your opportunity to let the City know how you feel about these services and share your thoughts on how they can be improved.

Farm & Business Succession Workshop on Nov. 14th at the Heritage Inn in Brooks. When it comes to selling your business or maybe passing on the farm to the next generation, there are some tough questions that need to be asked. How can I manage the tax hit? Is it fair to the kids? Why is it so hard to talk about this? A panel of experts will answer these questions and many more. Pre-register here.

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