At the regular Council meeting of May 27, 2024 Council passed first reading on three bylaws. Bylaw 2024:09 is a Borrowing Bylaw to allow the Town to borrow $600,000 for a 10 year period to fund the construction of a new Public Works Building. Bylaw 2024:10 is an Interim Borrowing Bylaw to allow the Town to establish a rotating line of credit or overdraft product in the amount of $1,000,000. This loan would be payable within 3 years if and when funds are required for operating expenditures. Bylaw 2024:11 is an updated Development and Subdivision Authority Bylaw to replace the Municipal Planning Commission Bylaw. The significant changes being considered by Council is changing the number of members of the Municipal Planning Commission from 6 members to a range of 5-7 members to allow more flexibility in reaching a majority for a meeting. The approval of subdivision of land will be granted to Council instead of the Municipal Planning Commission. Any questions or comments on these bylaws can be forwarded to townoffice@bowisland.com or by calling Dave Matz at 403-545-2522.
At the May 13 Regular Council meeting Bylaw 2024:08 Water Conservation received first reading. Final reading is scheduled for the May 27 Council meeting. The Provincial Government has asked all municipalities to review their water conservation bylaws and this is an update to the existing bylaw passed in 2002. The new Bylaw provides the CAO with authority to implement temporary water restrictions in an emergency, such as a water break or failure of infrastructure. Council would have authority to implement restrictions for any other reason including drought. A Drought Management Plan has been drafted with potential restriction stages that could be implemented in a drought situation. The Provincial Government has asked all municipalities to reduce water usage by 5-10% this summer. The Town is currently not implementing any restrictions on water usage and will instead begin an education program on conserving water with the goal of a 10% reduction by residents and in Town parks/facilities. Comments on the proposed Bylaw 2024:08 can be sent to townoffice@bowisland.com or by calling 403-545-25222. Bylaw 2024:08 Drought Management Plan Dave Matz, CAO
Residents can now apply to have up to 4 hens at their residence for personal use. The new Urban Hen Bylaw will allow up to 5 licensed residences in Town. If more then 5 applications are received Town staff will perform a draw. Deadline to apply is 4:00 pm May 24. Applications may be submitted to townoffice@bowisland.com or dropped off at Town Office.
Congratulations to Bill Ressler on his recent acclamation as Town Councillor! Councillor Ressler will take the Oath of Office at the May 13 regular Council meeting. Councillor Ressler is a retired school teacher/ administrator at Senator Gershaw School and Bow Island Elementary. Councillor Ressler has served 3 prior terms on Town Council and is also the President of the Golden Age Club.
At the regular Council meeting on Monday April 8 the 2024 Tax Rate Bylaw received 1st and 2nd readings. 3rd Reading is scheduled for April 22. The municipal tax rates have decreased from 2023 with Residential decreasing from 10.0717 to 9.6040. The Non Residential tax rate has decreased from 12.9253 to 12.7298. The Provincial Education Tax Rate has remained the same as 2023, the rate set by the Town varies from the Provincial tax rate slightly to compensate for under or over collection from the previous years. If you have any comments about the Tax Rate Bylaw please email Council@bowisland.com or call Dave Matz at 403-545-2522. 2024 Tax Rate Bylaw 2023 Tax Rate Bylaw
Bow Island Town Council is accepting nominations for a new council member! Please have your nomination papers in before April 17th at 12:00pm noon. Stop into the Town of Bow Island Office to receive your nomination papers today.
The Town of Bow Island is pleased to announce an agreement has been reached with CMHC to fast-track housing construction under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). The HAF will provide Bow Island up to $1,568,000 over 4 years towards initiatives that increase the housing supply in Bow Island.
