Mountain View County has allocated $10,000 to the Olds and District Hospice Society to help the group develop a hospice program for the area.The funding, one of three late Family and Community Support Services grants approved by council on July 20, will be spent on volunteer training, new program development and board training, administration reported.ìThis is a new initiative and utilizes volunteers for service delivery and implementation,î the staff report says, adding that while operating costs are not eligible for FCSS funding, startup costs can be funded.Council also approved $8,825 for the Boys and Girls Club of Olds and Area and $4,000 for the Youth Empowerment and Support (YES) program.The Town of Olds contributes more than $20,000 to the Boys and Girls Club's overall operations and the county grant is used to fund the club's after-school program, staff reported.The $4,000 allocated to the YES program will go toward a youth mentor position.The county's total FCSS budget for 2011, including grant transfers to other FCSS offices, was more than $357,000. About 80 per cent is covered by a provincial grant.Land rates boostedMountain View County has increased the rates for construction payments to landowners from $2,500 to $3,200 per acre.The rate increase applies to land purchases for right-of-way widening, corner cuts and curve expansion.Compensation to property owners for land disturbances, crop loss, ditch backsloping and test holes is unchanged at $500 per acre, with a minimum $200 payment.Staff said the new rates will be applied to right-of-way purchases for the Acme Road reconstruction project, tentatively budgeted to start in 2013.New emergency directorMountain View County has named Ryan Morrison as director of Municipal Emergency Management.Morrison, who is the county's manager of infrastructure projects and technical services, is a trained first responder and ìis well suited to the role,î CAO Tony Martens told council at its July 20 regular meeting.Martens has served in the position for several years but said his appointment as CAO has made it impossible for him to continue in the role.Kevin Heppler, a peace officer, will remain as deputy director.Gravel pit expansionThe Municipal Planning Commission has approved the application by Glen Allison for the expansion of a gravel pit west of Sundre to 112 acres.The operation can run from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. from May through October and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from November through April.Expanding the hours for crushing purposes will require written consent of a majority of landowners within half a mile of the site, located at Highway 584 and Rge. Rd. 61.
