YEAR IN REVIEW - Salt Flats Solar Farm - The Salt Flats Solar Farm is a proposed renewable energy project within Brooks city limits. Plans include eco-shelter belts, a 4-kilometre walking trail, and continued agricultural use through an agri-voltaic approach. If approved, the project would generate about $311,000 per year in municipal tax revenue, compared to roughly $250 under its current agricultural use.

In March 2025, PACE Canada Development asked the Alberta Utilities Commission to pause the approval process. This placed the project in abeyance, meaning it is on hold but not cancelled. The pause followed issues with a separate solar project near Caroline, Alberta, involving companies related to PACE, where required payments to local participants were not made as ordered by the AUC.

Because of this, the AUC said it will apply closer review to future applications from PACE and may require money to be set aside up front to cover costs. These added requirements would apply to the Salt Flats project if the developer asks to restart the approval process.

PACE provided an update on the project at the September 9, 2025, Council Committee meeting. The developer explained that the abeyance to March 31, 2026, is expected. PACE asked for continued support from Council while the project remains on hold. Mayor Petrie noted that the City had already provided a letter of support and recommended reconnecting with the newly elected Council before any request is made to lift the abeyance.

YEAR IN REVIEW - Fishing the Wild West TV show filmed two episodes in our region, featuring fishing at Crawling Valley Reservoir, Rolling Hills Reservoir, and Lake Newell. The episodes are complete and will start airing in early 2026.

The Mosaic Theatre Society - welcomed more than 300 people to four sneak peek movie showings, made possible by 15 dedicated volunteers and many others who helped behind the scenes. A strong turnout from teens stood out, including one young person who attended both movies and offered to help however he could, noting that “there’s not much for young people to do.”

Over the Christmas break, the Society screened The Polar Express and Elf, offering tickets for just $5. The focus now shifts to completing renovations and planning for the year ahead, with hopes of reopening on a regular basis in February. To find out more and to spread the word, follow, like and share.

YEAR IN REVIEW – Utility Fees - January 1, 2025, the City increased utility fees, resulting in a bi-monthly increase of about $18 for a typical household.

At the end of 2025, the newly elected City of Brooks Council approved a rate increase for 2026. The increase was smaller, adding about $11 per bi-monthly bill.

YEAR IN REVIEW – Urban Hen Program - Council spent much of 2025 reviewing the Urban Hen Program after the pilot ended January 1. With no complaints reported since the program began, discussions focused on how many hens should be allowed, whether limits should vary by property size, and how to handle requests that fall outside the standard rules.

• January 2025: Options were discussed to make the program permanent, including updating the Animal Control Bylaw and setting a clear hen limit.
• February 2025: Council Committee debated whether hen limits should vary by property size or remain the same city-wide. Administration was asked to refine the bylaw and return with updates. Administration also clarified that the Province, not the City, regulates egg sales. Eggs from a producer’s own hens may be sold directly to the public at the Alberta-approved Brooks Farmers’ Market.
• April 2025: The program resurfaced to discuss a request to keep up to 20 hens. This still required Council approval and must meet fencing and location rules.
• June 2025: City of Brooks Council passed Animal Control Bylaw 25/07, making the Urban Hen Program permanent with a limit of six hens per property. Council also approved a one-time variance allowing a specific property to keep up to 20 hens under strict conditions.

After months of discussion, the hens finally found a permanent home in City bylaws. 🐥

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