Joining by teleconference, representatives of the Safe Places initiative in Swift Current made a presentation to Council to discuss the benefits of the program and the process with which adult volunteers would become designated. Introduced by Councillor Shaun Henry, Safe Places is a community-wide initiative to reduce potential risks to youth and children by encouraging those who coach, teach, or work with youth citizens to become ‘youth certified’ through a series of background checks, education, and training. Administration was tasked with looking into the program further and evaluating whether it would be best championed by a community organization.

Speaking on behalf of Mater Tasty Concessions owner Jackie Altomare who was unable to attend the Council meeting, Town staff members Michelle McMillan, Manager of Community Culture and Relations, and Chanell Brick, Municipal Enforcement Officer, informed Council of preliminary discussions with Altomare to establish a food truck operation in downtown Kindersley. Council was receptive to the idea in principle but deferred any further decision until a future meeting when Altomare is able to attend and discuss.

Council officially acknowledged receipt of the 2016 Waste Minimization Award from the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council, which was awarded to the Town of Kindersley earlier this spring to recognize the enhancements that have been made to operations at the Waste and Recycle Centre.

June was also proclaimed as Recreation and Parks Month in Kindersley to recognize the ways in which recreation enhances quality of life for citizens of all ages, and also contributes to the health and vitality of communities.

Council approved the first budget of its term at the May 24 meeting. The 2017 Budget sees a drop in the uniform mill rate of more than 5 mills and a focus on reduced spending and construction of the new indoor aquatic centre.

The mill rate is a figure that represents the amount per $1,000 of the assessed value of a property, which is used to calculate the amount of property tax. The mill rate (9.7) was influenced by significant increases to property assessments in Kindersley, many of which were close to double the value of the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency’s (SAMA) assessments in 2013. With several new properties joining the tax roll in 2017, the Town was able to lower the mill rate and still achieve near equivalent tax revenue as achieved in 2016. Bylaw 07-17 was formally approved to adopt the 2017 mill rate factors.

Council dedicated $6.35 million to the new aquatic centre, approximately $1.3 million of which is already set aside in reserves. It is hoped that most of the remaining funds needed will be collected through sponsorships and fundraising, although Council approved a capital loan of up to $3.5 million to cover costs in the interim.

For complete information about the budget, visit /towncouncil/budgetsfinance.