BRZ Tax Write-Offs – Council is being asked to approve the write-off of 22 unpaid Business Revitalization Zone tax accounts totaling $11,615. The balances range from about $100 to $2,628. The accounts have gone through the collection process, but the businesses have either closed or moved outside the BRZ area, making the balances uncollectible. Because the amounts were already recorded as bad debt in previous financial statements, the write-off does not create a new expense or financial impact for the current year.

Health Foundation Updates – The Brooks & District Health Foundation said its main current project is upgrading the final two palliative care rooms in Unit A, helping patients and families stay close to home during end-of-life care. The upgrades are expected to cost about $116,000 to $120,000, with $50,000 already donated by the Shouitt family and $26,310 raised through Smile Cookie sales. The Foundation also highlighted the AIR Committee, which brings the City, County, Brooks Immigration Services, the Health Foundation, and local physicians together to attract, integrate, and retain doctors. The Foundation said the effort has helped recruit five new physicians, with two more looking at Brooks, and that Brooks is becoming more competitive because of its physician attraction package.

Prairie Schooner Camping – County Council approved 14 on-site camping spots at the Prairie Schooner Inn for year-round use. The sites are intended to cater to people working in the area and looking for longer-term accommodation. The owner said he has received a number of calls from people looking for a place to park and stay. Adjacent landowners raised concerns about privacy, noise, traffic, fire, garbage, fencing, layout, and access. Council added conditions, including privacy fencing to the north, chain-link fencing to the east, no permanent structures, dust control, garbage collection, designated fire pits, and septic requirements.

Kick-Off Market Almost Full – The Brooks Farmers’ Market Kick-Off is getting close to last year’s record number of vendors. The market continues to grow as a community gathering place and shopping destination, bringing makers, bakers and growers and family-friendly energy to Veterans Park. A few vendor spots are still available. Vendor application is on the website.

Data Centre Rules – Council is considering whether to approve new data centre rules in Brooks. The proposed rules would treat data centres as an industrial use and require information on power connection, water and wastewater use, fuel storage, noise, generator controls, security, fire safety, and lighting. A detailed submission received for the public hearing supports data centres, but says the rules treat very different projects too much alike. It argues that the impact of a small project and a large facility would create very different demands. On noise, the submission says many municipal rules are written for “noisy block parties,” not for industrial equipment that runs continuously. It says stronger rules would show serious, long-term developers that Brooks is a capable and trustworthy partner.

Recreation Agreement Approved – County Council approved the new Recreation, Parks and Cultural Services Agreement with the City of Brooks. The agreement sets the County’s operating contribution at about $611,000, roughly $80,000 less than before. It also reduces unnecessary back-and-forth on smaller capital repairs. As Matt Fenske explained, if a needed repair falls within the County’s 20% share, up to $150,000 per year, “Just replace that stuff. Send us the bill.” Larger projects or major service changes will still need both councils at the table. Fenske said many significant recreation assets in the region are nearing the end of their life, and councils need to do more work setting priorities, “socking away some money,” or having the difficult conversation about whether some facilities may need to be “shuttered.”

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