OLDS — Taxpayers, utility customers and Mountain View Power (MVP) customers could soon receive information indicating how much money the municipally-owned company has granted to local groups.
A few councillors made the suggestion as council approved the fall disbursement of $50,000 grants last month.
The grants were recommended by the Mountain View Power Committee, which decides which applicants should receive grants from MVP profits and how much they should receive.
Coun. Heather Ryan raised the idea of letting residents know how much money, $247,000, has been disbursed since the process began in June, 2023.
I think that’s really good information for the community to know, how much money is actually going right back into the community and how valuable it is to be a member of Mountain View Power,” she said.
“I think the more communication we can do and get the word out, perhaps it will generate more people into joining Mountain View Power, as opposed to other companies that are out there, simply because this money goes back and stays in the community.”
The town's chief administrative officer, Brent Williams, agreed to do so.
He said the amount of money granted so far is “not a small chunk of change.”
RELATED: $50,000 in Mountain View Power profits dispersed to six groups
Coun. James Cummings suggested putting that information on Mountain View Power customers’ bills.
“Actually presenting it (in) the bill so the consumers, the people funding this program, can see where their money is going, I think it’s a great idea,” Cummings said.
Williams said he’d look into that idea, suggesting that if even just one customer sees the impact that could be worth it.
Ryan suggested taking the concept one step further and listing in Town advertising, “how many groups have gotten value out of the fact that people belong to Mountain View Power.”
Coun. Wanda Blatz said the Town could also send that information out in its newsletters, utility bills, or even its tax notices.
