MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - The county's agricultural service board (ASB) has made some changes to a local sponsored resolution scheduled to be presented to the provincial ASB conference in 2022.
The move came by way of motion at the board’s recent regularly scheduled meeting.
ASB members put forward resolutions to bring forward agriculture related issues that require action by levels of government and to direct the advocacy process.
The resolution being proposed by the Mountain View County ASB aims to help ensure future resolutions provide clear and concise direction as to the issue and preferred solution.
Specifically, the resolution calls on the ASB provincial committee to “bring forward amendments to the regional and provincial ASB Conference Rules of Procedure for consistent ASB member representation that would facilitate greater oversight of the review of resolutions, with the objectives to clarify the content within resolutions, reduce resolution duplication of similar intent with consultation with the sponsoring municipality of the changes.”
The regional ASB and the provincial committee do not currently have the authority to identify when a resolution duplicates an issue already addressed through a previous resolution.
In the background note accompanying the resolution states, in part, that the changes suggested would align with the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) resolution policy that identifies the authority of the RMA and resolution committee.
The Mountain View County ASB is made up of appointed public members and members of council.
Rebate approved for weed control
In other board news, members have approved $5,000 in additional costs incurred by the weed control rebate program this year.
The ASB has a rebate program for the control of regulated weeds under the Weed Control Act in range and pasture. Its 2021 budget is $10,000, down from $17,000 in 2019.
“In 2021 we are seeing similar uptake of the program incentive as observed in 2020,” Jane Fulton, assistant director of agricultural services, told the board in a briefing note. “Currently the program has approved $7,859.80 with an additional $4,363.65 of qualifying rebate costs awaiting approval and additional receipts expected.”
Administration proposed funding the $5,000 overage of the budgeted line of the program from the overall existing operating budget.
“Due to the ongoing pandemic, there is approximately $5,700 in funds available from the Re-Connect with Farm Tour that did not go forward that could be used towards the rebate program with ASB’s approval.”
Members passed a motion to take the funds out of the operating budget to cover the overage.
During the Sept. 20 board meeting members passed a related motion recommending the 2022 ASB capital budget to council for approval.
It calls for 2022 capital budget acquisition of $183,000 in equipment, including pickup truck, mower and skid steer, and $106,000 in disposal of similar older equipment.
