INNISFAIL – For now on the town will do its own weed and pest control.
In previous years the Town of Innisfail has contracted out the weed/pest inspection services to Red Deer County.
The last contract with the county was a three-year agreement that expired in 2022. In the last year of that contract the town paid the county $12,000 for weed and pest inspections.
At town council’s regular meeting on March 13 it was unanimously approved to appoint Braden Wilson, who is currently the town’s horticulturist, as lnnisfail's local Municipal Weed and Pest Inspector.
His duties will be aided with enforcement support from the town's Municipal Enforcement department.
Steven Kennedy, operations manager for the Town of Innisfail, told council Wilson received the pesticide applicators licence which will help with weed control throughout town.
He added Wilson will be taking additional agricultural courses this year through Lakeland College.
“Under the Alberta Weed Control Act and Agriculture Pests Act municipalities or local authorities are identified as having responsibilities within the Acts,” Kennedy told council through his report. “This includes appointing inspectors to enforce and monitor compliance within their municipality.”
Kennedy told council the additional time required to complete local weed and pest inspection services will be filled internally between full time parks staff and summer students.
He said there will be no impact on the existing service level.
