DIDSBURY - At the regular council meeting on Jan. 8, council approved a motion to update the town's procedural bylaw.
Didsbury mayor Rhonda Hunter told the Gazette that reviewing bylaws, policies and procedures is ongoing and common.
"The bylaws, policies and procedures need to suit the way a council does their business and handles their meetings," said Hunter. "This council has seen the need for revision to many bylaws, policies and procedures and is making sure the revisions are complete to be as effective in their meetings and work that they can be."
Several changes to the bylaw were made after council requested a review by council at the Dec. 11 meeting including: cellphones may be used at meetings as long as they are set to mute and do not disturb the proceedings; all documents and notice of delegations must be brought forward to administration on the Monday eight days in advance of the regular council meeting; and the CAO and mayor shall review the items to be included in the agenda by end of the day of the Wednesday preceding the regular council meeting.
Council pay raised
In other council news, council approved an update to the council remuneration policy. The update was necessary after council approved a remuneration increase for themselves of 14 per cent at the Dec. 11 regular meeting. The increase is to compensate for the federal government removing a one-third tax exemption for elected officials as of Jan. 1.
The mayor will receive $2,608.08 per month with a per diem of $42.75/hour, the deputy mayor (which rotates between councillors) $1,868.69 per month, and councillors $1,434.44 per month. Each councillor receives a per diem of $42.75/hour up to a maximum of $250 daily (up from $37.50/hour for a maximum of $220 per day). Remuneration for Internet usage remains at $21 per month.
Council also directed administration to complete an updated council remuneration by reporting all remuneration from committees.
Strategic plan updated
Council voted to accept the amended Town of Didsbury Strategic Plan for 2017-2027. The plan was updated after the town's strategic planning workshop held Sept. 5-7.
This was the first full review and update of the document since it was adopted in 2017 by the previous town council.
"When new councils are elected they want to make sure the strategic plan of their municipality is planned around the strategic direction for their term," she said. "The workshop in September was to revise the strategic plan to bring it in line with this council's strategic direction and priorities."
Some of the changes include: an updated message from the mayor including new pictures; updated strategic planning process to include work accomplished by council in September; and updates to the action plan to mark completed items, update priorities for current council and adjust timelines as required.
After advertising the revised strategic plan to the public for feedback and comment, the town received three responses from members of the public.
The feedback received from the public will be utilized during an upcoming strategic planning workshop scheduled for April, according to administration.
"A more thorough revision of the strategic plan will take place in April of this year, and the strategic plan will then evolve from that workshop into the high-level plan that encompasses the stated desire of this council's planned future and direction for the town," she said. "Strategic plans give administration guidance and help them to build operational plans. Once council has set this new strategic direction, administration will be able to build plans and budgets that carry out council's direction."
