Please be advised that the boil water advisory has been lifted for residences along Lady Helen Avenue East in Galahad.

Water quality has been tested and the water has been confirmed as safe to drink once again following the repair of a water leak.

Flagstaff County invites bids for the sale of the following two used graders. When bidding, please bid on each grader separately. Grouped bids will not be accepted.

1. 2020 872GP John Deere Grader – Ser. # IDW872GPLLF703076. Grader comes with 16’ moldboard, 17.5R25 Snowplus tires, blade lift accumulators and a BESL 12’ mastless snow wing with hydraulic push pole. Current hours: 7,380. Estimated hours as of February 10th, 2025: 7,500. The front Lift group and Hydraulic angle dozer are not included in the sale of this grader. Guaranteed trade-in: $206,700.00.

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2. 2020 872GP John Deere Grader – Ser. # IDW872GPHKF703031. Grader comes with 16’ moldboard, 17.5R25 Snowplus tires, blade lift accumulators and a 12’ mastless snow wing with hydraulic push pole. Current hours: 7,030. Estimated hours as of February 10th, 2025: 7,400.  The front lift group and hydraulic angle dozer are not included in the sale of this grader. Guaranteed trade-in: $206,700.00.

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• Call Kevin Kinzer to make arrangements for viewing these graders. These graders will be sold on an “as is” basis. Hours of operation may vary slightly at time of sale. Please note that Flagstaff County will be closed from December 24th, 2024 to January 1st, 2025. There will be no viewing during this time.
• Bids must be submitted on a tender form.
• Download a tender form HERE or contact our Administration Office at 780-384-4123 to receive a tender form.
• All bids must be delivered in a sealed envelope marked “USED GRADERS” to the Flagstaff County Administration Office, 12435 Twp Rd 442, Sedgewick, Alberta.
• Closing date for bidding on graders is Friday, January 3, 2025 at 11:00:00 a.m. MST. The highest or any tender not necessarily accepted.
• Graders will be available for purchase/pick-up during the week of February 10^th, 2025

For further information, please contact: Kevin Kinzer, Shop Supervisor, at 780-384-4106.

The ongoing Canada Post strike may affect mail delivery services. To ensure continued service and communication, Flagstaff County has implemented the following measures: 

1. Vendor Payments: 

• If you are expecting a payment from the County, please contact us at your earliest convenience at 780-384-4100 to arrange alternative methods for pick-up. 

2. Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Option: 

• We are reaching out to vendors via email to encourage sign-up for EFT, which provides secure and timely payments directly to your bank account. If you would like to enroll, please contact us to begin the process. 

3. Customer Payment Responsibilities: 

• Residents and businesses are reminded payments for utilities, accounts receivable, and taxes remain due as scheduled, regardless of mail disruptions. 
• To avoid delays, we encourage signing up for e-send billing, which allows you to receive invoices and statements via email. Please sign up at: https://portal.laserfiche.ca/r8288/forms/EmailSubscribe (please select “subscribe” and “e-billing”).
• We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. for in-person payments.
• We have a mail slot for payments after hours, at the County Administration Building located at 12435 Township Road 442, Sedgewick, Alberta.
• For further information, please visit: https://www.flagstaff.ca/county-services/taxations.

By Nick Dunn

For years, farmers faced a tough question: how to handle agricultural plastic waste. Often, the solution was to bury it, burn it with other farm waste, or stash it away in a shed. But with growing awareness around environmental stewardship, recycling initiatives have become a key priority. Thanks to Cleanfarms’ Bring ’em All Back program that was launched in 2022, farmers have a streamlined way to recycle their agricultural plastics efficiently and responsibly. We are now closing on the Bring ’em All Back pilot project with Flagstaff transitioning to retail jug collection in 2023 and all municipalities to be completed by December 31, 2024.

Cleanfarms, a national non-profit organization, is dedicated to helping Canadian farmers manage their plastic waste sustainably. Their work is tailored to each province, meeting unique recycling needs and addressing logistical challenges across Canada. Partnering with local governments, agricultural groups, and producers, Cleanfarms offers collection and recycling solutions at little to no cost, and for some producers they have turned it into profit.

By participating in this program, you’re actively reducing environmental impact, conserving natural resources, and supporting the production of recycled plastic goods. Shifting away from traditional disposal methods like burning and burying waste cuts down greenhouse gas emissions and keeps our landscapes free of litter. Producers are a major component to the recycling process and when waste materials are handled appropriately, there is circulation that benefits all.

Products can be refilled or re-manufactured like in Nobleford, Alberta. The southern Alberta town is home to Full Circle Plastics, that recycles agricultural plastics by converting them into building materials such as synthetic deck boards, planters, or parking curbs. PolyAg Recycling LTD, a leading Canadian mechanical recycler of agricultural film is in Bashaw, Alberta. Most grain bags in central Alberta are recycled here even if producers bring them to their local landfill.

Cleanfarms accepts a range of agricultural plastics, but it’s essential that the materials be as clean as possible to prevent contamination during the recycling process. To keep it simple, here’s how and where you can recycle agricultural plastics in Flagstaff:

Grain Bags: Completely empty, remove debris, mechanically roll or bale, and return to Flagstaff Waste.

Twine: Remove debris, bag, and return to local 4-H club or Flagstaff Waste.

Silage Wrap and Bale Wrap: Remove debris, compact material, and return to Flagstaff Waste.

Containers up to 23L: Triple rinse, remove cap and label, bag in new Cleanfarms bags provided by retailers, return to ag retailer.

Totes and Drums: Thoroughly rinse, rinse, return to ag retailer.

Seed, Pesticide & Inoculant Bags: Completely empty, remove debris, bag in new Cleanfarms bags provided by retailers, return to ag retailer.

Join Flagstaff in this sustainable step forward by bringing your used plastics to participating collection sites. Your involvement helps reduce your carbon footprint, keeps our farmlands clean, and supports a growing recycling industry that’s making tangible products from recycled agricultural plastics. With local support, this initiative will continue to enhance sustainable waste management in our community.

Nick Dunn is Flagstaff County’s Agricultural Fieldman. He can be reached via email at: ndunn@flagstaff.ab.ca or by phone at: 780-384-4138.

Please be advised that beginning the week of November 18, Accurate Assessment is conducting 2024 assessment inspections in the following areas of the County:

• All of Range 15;
• Twp 43-16 to Twp 46-16.

The purpose of these inspections is to look for any physical changes to residential (both farm and non-farm) and commercial properties. Physical changes could be exterior renovations, additions, removal of a mobile home, construction of new non-farm buildings without a permit, etc.

Our assessor may also need to assess out buildings on a former farm site that has sold to a non-farm owner (status change).

If the assessor can’t identify changes from the road, he will have to go into the property, where he will talk with the owner if they are home.

There are two assessors. One of the assessors is driving a blue Mazda SUV, while the other assessor is driving a brown GMC Sierra truck. Both vehicles have Flagstaff County logos on the sides.

For more information about assessments, please visit: bit.ly/FlagstaffAssessment.

Electoral Boundaries Bylaw

At a Special Council Meeting on October 7, 2024, Flagstaff County Council approved first reading of the Electoral Boundaries Bylaw 08/24 (Version 1 utilizing five divisions based on a balanced population and five councillors).

The next step is to host a Public Hearing in December.

Public Hearing

Proposed Bylaw

Click HERE for the proposed bylaw.

Survey Results

Click HERE for results of our public engagement, including the survey.

Background

The Need for a Review

Years of population change, including the more recent incorporation of the Hamlets of Strome and Galahad, have left an uneven distribution throughout our seven electoral divisions.

It’s time to redraw our electoral boundaries to give residents the best possible municipal representation.

Flagstaff County Council is conducting an Electoral Boundary Review based on the results of our recently completed census – and we’re looking for public feedback. 

Electoral boundaries distinguish the divisions represented by our councillors. Our boundaries haven’t changed since we became a County in 1968. Currently, the County is divided into seven electoral divisions, each represented by a single councillor.

This Electoral Boundary Review is occurring not only to help ensure fair representation, but also for efficient delivery of public services. 

What Was Considered?

Council has been considering the option of reducing the number of divisions within the County from seven to five.

Budget Implications of Reducing Council to Five Councillors

The annual estimated cost to support one councillor position annually is approximately $56,925 ($227,700 over four years), which includes wages, travel, conference, benefits, laptop, and reimbursed expenses. Over a four-year electoral term, decreasing from seven councillor positions to five councillor positions equates to an estimated cost savings of $455,400 for the County.

Who’s Affected?

Amending the electoral boundaries may impact a portion of residents within the County, as their current elected official may change if their land is amended to a different division. The change in electoral boundaries may also impact nominations and candidates in upcoming elections for Council. As such, residents have an interest in understanding how the change in electoral boundaries may impact them.

The Review Process

This process began this past spring with the municipal census, which provided insights into demographic changes and population distribution. 

The results of the municipal census provide the Current Division Boundary Information as follows:

Proposed Concept Maps

Using the 2024 population census data, along with pre-determined criteria agreed upon by Council, four concept maps were established. Council decided to put forth to the public two of these options, as well as the option to stay with the current electoral boundaries with seven divisions.

• Option 1: Five divisions based on balanced population. The electoral boundaries would result in the following population/residences split per division:

• Option 2: Seven divisions based on balanced residences. The electoral boundaries would result in the following population/residences split per division:

• Option 3: Seven divisions with no changes. Leaving the current electoral boundaries with no changes would result in the following population/residences split per division:

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Online Survey

Your voice is important in this process. A two-question online survey will be available until October 2, 2024, and the County wants to hear from you. Click the red button below to make your opinion heard.

Residents are also welcome to email their feedback to: PublicInput@flagstaff.ab.ca by Wednesday, October 2, 2024.

Public Open House

There will be a Public Open House from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at the Flagstaff County Administration Building.

Timeframe/Process

The following timeframe allows for the input to meaningfully influence Council’s decisions:

• The Electoral Boundary revision concept maps and information will be advertised, and feedback options made available for a minimum of three weeks.
• A public open house will be held at the administration office on Tuesday, October 1, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• The results of the public engagement will be presented at a Special Council Meeting on Monday, October 7, 2024.
• First Reading of the Electoral Boundaries Bylaw with a single boundary map to present to the public at the October 7th Special Council Meeting.
• Public hearing to consider a new Electoral Boundary Bylaw: Rescheduled Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 (to allow for the 60-day petition period).

Nominating a child in Flagstaff for a positive ticket just got easier.

Now you can do it online HERE.

Positive tickets are issued for positive behaviour such as practicing personal safety, being a community hero and making smart choices. Our peace officer wants to be notified by teachers, coaches, friends and neighbours throughout the Flagstaff Region who have witnessed a child doing a positive or helpful deed, or performing a safe act that would be worthy of receiving a positive ticket.

You can also contact Officer Skyler Zelinski if you know of a deserving youth! Officer Skyler can be reached by phone at 780-384-4100 or via email at szelinski@flagstaff.ab.ca.

Positive tickets come with a $10 coupon that can be redeemed at participating businesses, as well as a bracelet for a free swim at the Killam Regional Aquatic Centre.

Let’s acknowledge the good that our young people are doing right here in Flagstaff!

Join Flagstaff County’s Agricultural Service Board as a member at large.

The Agricultural Service Board (ASB) is an advisory board of Flagstaff County that reviews and makes recommendations on agricultural policies and other agricultural matters of the County. The Agricultural Service Board usually meets six times a year and is seeking one member from Flagstaff County for a three-year term.

Agricultural Service Boards work under the authority of the Agricultural Service Board Act. Section 2 of the Act assigns duties to ASBs as follows:

• to act as an advisory body and to assist the council and the Minister, in matters of mutual concern,
• to advise on and to help organize and direct weed and pest control and soil and water conservation programs,
• to assist in the control of animal disease under the Animal Health Act,
• to promote, enhance and protect viable and sustainable agriculture with a view to improving the economic viability of the agricultural producer, and
• to promote and develop agricultural policies to meet the needs of the municipality.

THE DUTIES OF AN ASB MEMBER INCLUDE:

• To consider the welfare and interests of the municipality as a whole and to bring to the Boards attention anything that would promote the welfare or interests of the municipality.
• To participate generally in developing and evaluating agricultural policies and programs to meet the needs of the municipality.
• To participate in ASB meetings and meetings of other bodies to which they are appointed
• To obtain information about the operation or administration of the municipality from the chief administrative officer or a person designated by the chief administrative officer
• To keep in confidence matters discussed in private at an ASB meeting
• To communicate effectively with the Agricultural Fieldman, other members of the ASB and council
• To review and recommend budget and programs to council for approval
• To administer approved budget and establish program policy
• To evaluate programs.

INTERESTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Agricultural Service Board, please provide a letter of interest outlining:

• Your relevant education, expertise, work or real life experience.
• How will Flagstaff County benefit from your participation on the board?
• What interests you to apply for this position?
• What special skills or knowledge would you bring to the board?
• What are you hoping to get out of the experience of being on this board/committee?

MEMBERS AT LARGE WILL BE SELECTED BY COUNCIL

REMUNERATION:           

Remuneration for this position is based upon Policy LE 004 Boards and Committees.

Per diem renumeration for Agricultural Service Board members:

• Full day – $400
• Half day – $250

If you are a resident of Flagstaff County and would like to become a member of the Agricultural Service Board, please submit a letter of interest to:

Nick Dunn
Agricultural Fieldman
Box 358 Sedgewick AB, T0B 2L0
ndunn@flagstaff.ab.ca

Flagstaff County advises residents that postal-related County services, including the sending and receiving of any mail correspondence (including bills, payments or notices), may be impacted by the Canada Post strike. 

The County is taking all practical steps to minimize disruptions and provide alternative methods of correspondence; however, residents may expect some delays until the strike is resolved and normal postal service is resumed.  

Residents and companies who typically mail in payments for items such as taxes, utilities or permits can drop off payments in-person Monday to Friday at the Flagstaff County Office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or leave payment in our secure drop box located near the entrance. 

For online payment options, please visit our Taxation webpage.

To stay up to date with important County news and updates, all residents are encouraged to regularly visit the County website and follow Flagstaff County’s social media channels. 

For more information about the Canada Post strike, please visit the Canada Post website. 

We thank you for your patience and understanding. 

Please see the following notice from the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) regarding a confined feeding operation in Flagstaff County.