Town council meeting briefs from Sept. 8

Posted on September 18, 2025 by Taber Times

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Audit committee

 On Sept. 8, council returned for second and third readings of a revised audit committee bylaw that was first reviewed in August. After the provincial government made changes to the Municipal Government Act, it changed the expectations for how the administration provides information to council.

 A new section reads as follows: 208.1(3) “Where the chief administrative officer or a person designated by the CAO provides information referred to in section 153(d) to a councillor, the CAO or a person designated by the CAO must provide the information to all other councillors within 72 hours of the information being provided to the councillor.”

The change prompted the administration to recommend that the council approve an amendment to the audit committee bylaw. Additionally, the administration said that during the presentation of the 2024 financial statements, some members suggested that increased participation in the audit committee would provide an opportunity for council to better understand the finances and therefore the operations of the municipality, which is a key responsibility of elected officials set out in the MGA.

 The administration proposed two changes to the bylaw: 1. That the membership of the committee be changed to include all of council 2. That when time allows, finance information may be presented in regular council meetings to reduce the total number of meetings when possible.

 CAO Derrin Thibault said that the change would allow more than three members of council to serve and effectively make council the audit committee. Members unanimously approved both readings of the bylaw.

Investment incentive bylaw

 The administration proposed changes to the Town’s investment incentive bylaw, which it called “a great catalyst in our community for promoting growth in our industrial and commercial sectors.” Second and third readings were on the table after the first reading passed in August.

 The bylaw is a building block for the town’s growing economy and offers a five-year tiered exemption on municipal taxes for new buildings or renovated commercial and industrial space.

Administration recommended a change to how the Town calculates the investment on renovations.

 Currently, the bylaw requires the applicant to “make a capital investment to expand, improve or renovate the non-residential property resulting in an increased assessment value by at least 25 per cent by the end of year two from when the development permit was issued.”

 Confusion over how construction costs and market changes can affect a building’s assessment value led the administration to suggest rewording the bylaw. Economic Development Manager Amy Allred told council that up until now the Town could not confirm an applicant’s eligibility until after they take occupancy and the Town receives an updated assessment.

 The wording of the updated version wasn’t simplified, but stated that the improvements must add 25 per cent to the current assessment value – and be done within two years of receiving the development permit.

 The agenda noted that Superior Safety Codes uses a construction cost calculator that is applied to a building permit. The building permit value helps determine if an applicant qualifies beforehand, making the process more user friendly. Council approved the revisions.

Taber allocated $588K from CCBF

 Council reviewed a letter to Mayor Prokop from Dan Williams, minister of municipal affairs, informing him that Taber’s 2025-26 allocation from the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) is $588,248.

 Williams reported that in 2025, Canada allocated Alberta $276 million to ensure local governments in Alberta can make needed investments into local infrastructure.

 “I look forward to working together with you to support your local infrastructure needs, and building strong, vibrant communities across Alberta,” Williams wrote.

Pedestrian safety

 During the council requests, Coun. Jack Brewin relayed a community member’s suggestion for pedestrian lights on 47 Ave. at Ace Place Learning Centre.

 “There are going to be a lot of students walking across from the south side and parents parking on the CPR lands with kids jumping out and crossing the street,” he said. “We do have a school zone there, which to be honest I don”t think is very well followed. Cars do still fly by there fairly quickly.”

 He asked that the item go up for consideration in next year’s budget. The mayor thought that there were one or two new lights either on-order or in the Town’s possession, but no one could confirm that.

 Coun. Carly Firth, who sits on the traffic committee, said that the plan was to order and install new lights at a rate of one per year in areas identified by the committee. Brewin made a motion to pass the matter over to the traffic committee and council supported it.

Downtown parking

 Also during council requests, Mayor Prokop said recent conversations had reminded him of the shortage of downtown parking spaces. He said there had previously been talk at the Town of purchasing other land or cost-sharing a project with local businesses. “I do think it’s a valid request,” he said.

 Coun. Bekkering dismissed the idea of buying land for people to park on. “I’d be totally opposed to it,” he said.

 The mayor proposed a motion that council direct administration to investigate the possibility of further parking in the downtown core and report back on it. Coun. Firth suggested a friendly amendment to look into partnering with other organizations adjacent to downtown. Council voted in favour of the motion.