REMARKS FROM CAO MATT FENSKE – At the Leadership Breakfast, County CAO Matt Fenske stressed that business drives the region’s economy, noting that 83 cents of every County tax dollar comes from businesses, which pay about twice the residential rate. Strong business growth has allowed the County to offer above-average services while keeping tax rates low, with most rates declining over the last four years. Fenske also urged residents to direct concerns to the right place, saying, “If you have a pothole, washboard—any kind of service request—call City Hall or County Hall. Don’t call your councillor. If you have a vision for the region, call your councillor.”

NEW PARK SPACE AND FUTURE SOCCER FIELDS - Council approved a subdivision request to split a 17-acre property into two lots, including 5 acres for public use in the Southeast Sector. The west side of the land already has a pond and open space, and the rest is planned for future soccer fields. Council’s decision focused on whether the land is suitable for open space and recreation. As part of the review, they considered comments from nearby landowners. Access to the proposed lot would be from Greystone Close East.

BROOKS HOUSING SOCIETY REQUEST - Council approved a request from the Brooks Housing Society to transfer ownership of the land where its Prairie Village complex is located. Brooks Housing is a nonprofit organization created to provide safe and affordable homes for residents in Brooks. It has operated 87 below-market rental units since 2002, but the legal title to the property is still held by the City. In 2022, the City also donated a second parcel for a future 24-unit expansion, and the Society says holding the title to both parcels would strengthen funding applications to move forward on that expansion. The City placed a caveat ensuring the land returns to the City if the Society dissolves or sells the property.

Drive-through Light Display - The drive-through light display is open at the Brooks & District Museum from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm for all of December! There will be a sign on the grounds with the radio station to tune into. The donation box at the end of the drive-through will be collecting donations for the new tractor exhibit building!

TRANSPORTATION STUDY - The City of Brooks and County of Newell plan to apply for an Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) grant to fund a new Regional Transportation Study. The last major traffic and intersection study was done in 2009. If approved, the ACP grant will cover the full $200,000 cost of the project, which includes traffic data collection, growth projections, intersection and signal-timing analysis at 11 intersections, pedestrian crossing reviews, and updates to the City’s Transportation Master Plan. The goal is to ensure the region’s road network can support future growth, safety, and investment.

NEW MOSAIC THEATRE - The City of Brooks recently purchased the former Oasis Theatre on 2nd Street West and completed a month of due-diligence inspections on the building’s structure and major systems, including electrical, plumbing, audio-visual, and HVAC. All results were positive, confirming the theatre is in good condition and a sound acquisition. The City has also established a new non-profit, the Mosaic Theatre Society, which will operate the facility at arm’s length. This approach mirrors other City-owned buildings leased to independent non-profit organizations such as the Brooks Bandits, Prairie Pioneers, SPEC Association, Brooks Curling Association, and Newell Integrated Child Care Society. To allow the Society to begin preparing for reopening, Council approved a formal lease agreement. The draft agreement sets rent at $1 per year and requires the Society to cover all utilities, insurance, and operating costs. Brooks Newell Region Economic Development has contributed $15,000 in start-up funding through its NewGrow program to help launch the project.

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