Mountain View councillors have passed a motion directing administration to provide an update on what fees the county is receiving for oil and gas drilling in the county.“It would be great to have that information and the sooner the better to help formulate our discussions with the province,” said Coun. Al Kemmere said during last week's policies and priorities meeting.The county may bring someone in from the ERCB to speak to council about how licences are issued and how fees are calculated, council heard.Reeve Bruce Beattie called it a “significant issue because the province is talking about eliminating the well drilling tax which results in a significant amount of cash flow for our county and others, so we need to have that information.“We need to get this sorted out and we can't make much of an argument unless we know exactly how this is being done.”Coun. Paddy Munro said he would like “clear details on the process for when they re-enter old wells. Every one of those old wells is virtually the same impact as a new well with the fracking process. I want absolute clarity on re-entering existing wells.”LIGHTER SNOW FALL LEADS TO BUDGET BREAKIn other county news, the county has spent $755,000 on snow removal so far this year, compared with $1.8 million up to the same time last year, according to financial statement presented to council.Other highlights of the June financial statement overview included: well drilling fees are projected to be above the $500,000 budgeted amount, traffic fine revenue is projected to be close to budget expectations, re-designation fees are tracking to be $10,000 short of the $90,000 budgeted but still twice the 2011 levels, and development permit revenue is tracking slightly below budget.The operational services report presented to council outlined recently completed projects, including $30,000 on Sundre shop upgrades, $28,000 for Highway 27 and RR 42 service road work, and $25,000 for Didsbury shop work.There were 10 rig moves in the county in June, with an average of 33 truck loads per move, and eight rig moves in July, with a 38 load average.The operational services department has responded to 269 calls for service up to the end of June, including 57 grading requests, 16 pothole calls, 12 signs missing or damaged calls, and 31 calls for snow plowing.In his planning and development services report, director John Rustling said an update on Netook Crossing development will be given to council at next month's council meeting.In her legislative, community and agricultural services report, manager of agriculture Jane Fulton said the majority of roadside herbicide application has been completed for the year.“The area from Hwy 22 west to the country border and from Hwy 582 north to the border was covered as part of our three year rotation. The spraying went well with very few mechanical issues and fairly good weather,” she said.Community peace officers issued 192 violation tickets for traffic, overload and bylaw offences in June and July.COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE ORDEREDCouncillors have instructed administration to report back on the current state of the county's communication strategy, including how the county is keeping in touch with ratepayers.Councillors were given an update on the county's strategic communications plan prepared by Coupen Group. That plan was formulated at the request of the previous council.Councillors asked for an update covering the period since the new council has been in place.
