Town council briefs from December ‘25

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Taber Times

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The following are briefs from the one regular meeting of town council on Dec. 15.

Interim operating budget for 2026

Council approved an interim operating budget from Jan. 1, 2026 that will stand until it adopts the final 2026 operating budget. The interim budget includes expenditures required to maintain the continuity of existing approved service levels, as per the 2025 operating budget and any other approved expenditures. It excludes any changes to service levels, any new programs or initiatives, and any one-time purchases.

The Municipal Government Act requires all councils to approve an annual operating budget for each calendar year, and in the event that the final operating budget is not approved by Dec. 31, municipalities need to adopt an interim budget.

Finance director Rob Osmond told council that in the past, the Town has prepared a full budget for interim approval at the end of the year and then reworked that budget in the spring.

“This year, what we’re going to look at is an interim operating budget motion,” Osmond said. “So the motion essentially allows for the continued spending of regular operating expenses into 2026 as we finalize the 2026 operating budget. The proposal here is that the interim budget be approved based on the service levels and financial commitments of the 2025 operating budget.”

Osmond simplified the approval by telling councillors, “We’re going to continue to spend money on the regular expenses that we have. Any one time special expenses are not discussed and you can’t proceed with them till they’re approved in the operating budget.”

The interim budget provides a way of paying wages, keeping the lights on, and delivering services for continued operations until such a time that council has completed its deliberations on the operating budget.

Airport expansion

CAO Derrin Thibeault told council that the administration was seeking council’s approval for a joint letter from the Town and MD to MLA Grant Hunter about its airport expansion project.

Mayor Prokop said that gaining Hunter’s support was a “necessary next step that hasn’t been discussed before.”

Thibeault said the airport expansion feasibility study is complete, and expects to see it in January. “It just seemed to be a very responsible next move to go forward with, just basically advising our MLA for grant possibilities. Grant Hunter is generally really good with that sort of thing.”

Hunter’s involvement could propel grant funding for a shovel-ready project.

MD Reeve Tamara Miyanaga had already inked and signed a letter on behalf of the MD, Taber, and Vauxhall. It said that the MD had received a grant for $100,000 through the Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) grant program, and in regional partnership Taber and Vauxhall, was pleased to introduce the feasibility study/master plan.

The letter stated that the study’s objectives were: looking at extending the length of the Taber airport runway; evaluating other infrastructure improvements; and drafting a master plan for the airport.

“The project is a comprehensive review of the Taber Municipal Airport’s role in supporting regional economic development, agricultural operations, and critical air ambulance services for the benefit of the Taber-Warner region. We believe this initiative has significant value to the region and awareness of the value of rural airports,” Miyanaga’s letter said.

Recognition of elected officials

At the Dec. 15 meeting, past and current councillors were recognized for their service to the community. Elected officials are recognized for their service on the basis of four year terms.

Three past council members were recognized: Garth Bekkering for 20 years of service, Jack Brewin for 12 years, and Monica McLean for four years. Bekkering was the only one present to accept his certificate and the other two were listed as unable to attend. Mayor Prokop made the presentation to Bekkering.

Three current council members were also recognized: Mayor Prokop for 12 years of service, Coun. Firth for eight years, and Coun. Sorensen for four years. All were present to accept certificates. Deputy Mayor Sparks presented a certificate to Mayor Prokop, and Prokop in turn presented one to Firth and Sorensen.