Council Meeting Highlights - May 20, 2026

Regular Council Meeting

Meeting date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026

In attendance:  Mayor Fule, Councillor Chisholm, Councillor Hyde, Councillor Langmaid, Councillor Wegener and Deputy Mayor Wiley

Absent: Councillor Brown

Council adopted the minutes from the May 6, 2026 Regular Council Meeting and the May 13, 2026 Special Council Meeting.

BUSINESS

Proclamation – Seniors’ Week

• Council proclaimed June 1-7 as Seniors’ Week in the Town of Strathmore.
• This proclamation celebrates seniors and their contributions to our community.

2027 Capital and Operating Budget Timelines

• Administration presented Council with proposed timelines for the next budget. These give everyone the expected sequence for the 2027 budget process – to allow for proper planning and resource allocation.
• Council acknowledged they accepted the proposed timelines.

2027 Capital Project and Major Initiatives Priority Matrix

• This tool scores and ranks Capital Projects based on weighted criteria, helping determine which ones should proceed and when.
• Council approved the Capital Project and Major Initiatives Priority Matrix for the 2027 Operating and Capital Budget year.

2026-2029 Corporate Business Plan

• To ensure ongoing oversight and awareness of organizational planning activities, Council was presented with a Corporate Business Plan – providing transparency into how administration is aligning corporate priorities, services, and initiatives with Council’s strategic direction.
• The Corporate Business Plan itself does not create an immediate financial commitment. Rather, it establishes the organizational priorities and actions that will inform and guide financial decision-making through the annual budget and long-term financial planning processes.

2026 Capital Budget Amendment - Modular Fire Training Centre

• Funding for a modular fire training centre was approved as part of the 2026 Capital Budget. Following the project's initial approval, a review of the training centre requirements was undertaken. During this phase, additional site preparation work was identified as necessary to ensure the training centre can be safely accessed, properly drained, and effectively used for training evolutions.
• A budget amendment of $40,000 is required to complete the grading of the site and install a metal walkway around the building to prevent water from accessing the building.
• Council authorized a 2026 Capital Budget amendment for the Modular Fire Training Center, in the amount of $40,000, with funding from the Financial Stabilization reserve to complete additional site preparation work.

2026 Capital Budget Change in Scope - IT Backup Systems and Server Upgrade Projects

• Administration has reviewed additional emergent needs and is recommending that the remaining monies that were allocated to these IT projects be reallocated to additional server and storage work.
• Council authorized the following scope changes to the IT Backup Systems and Server Upgrade projects within the 2026 Capital Budget:

1. IT Backup Systems Project: Add current daily backup storage unit replacements to scope.

2. IT Server Upgrade Project: Amend project scope to include M-Files and Penny software upgrades, and the addition of an air conditioning unit in the server room.

Council also authorized a 2026 Capital Budget amendment in the amount of $115,000 to be funded by the Canada Community Building Fund Grant, instead of the Financial Stabilization Reserve, for the IT Backup Systems Project.

Video Surveillance Policy No. 1215

• The Town of Strathmore recognizes the need to balance an individual's right to privacy and the need to ensure the safety and security of municipal employees, clients, visitors, and property.
• As an institution governed by the Access to Information Act, R.S.A. 2024, c. A- 1.4 and the Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.A. 2024, c. P-28.5 the Town has obligations with respect to notice, access, use, disclosure, retention, and disposal of records. While video surveillance cameras are installed for security and law enforcement purposes, the Town’s video surveillance systems must also be designed to minimize privacy intrusion.
• This policy establishes procedures to achieve a balance between the purposes of and need for video surveillance and an individual’s right to privacy, specifically:
  • The operation of video surveillance at Town facilities;
  • The use of information obtained through video surveillance at Town facilities; and
  • Custody, control, access to, and retention of information created through video surveillance at Town facilities.
• Council adopted Video Surveillance Policy No. 1215.

Signing Authority Policy No. 1216

• It is vital that proper oversight is maintained of every contract and expenditure at the Town of Strathmore, regardless of scope or value. To support accountability to the community, the authorization of financial and non-financial transactions should be performed in accordance with agreed terms. This includes, but is not limited to – bylaws, minutes, cheques, contracts and other agreements.
• Council adopted Signing Authority Policy No. 1216.

After a Closed Meeting sessions Council returned with decisions on two items:

1) Council granted final acceptance of the conditional purchase agreement for the Strathmore Golf Club Water Licence transfer, keeping the details confidential in alignment with the terms of the agreement and authorized $561,000 to be funded through the water capital reserve for the Strathmore Golf Club Water Licence transfer.

2) Council directed Administration to advertise the Delta Force Paintball Canada Limited lease in accordance with the Municipal Government Act and return to Council on June 17, 2026 for final decision on the matter.

*Council Highlights provide a brief review of the information given and discussions had at Strathmore Town Council Meetings. Council Highlights are not presented as official minutes of the meeting and do not include items discussed in a closed meeting.

Official meeting minutes can be accessed here. 

Watch the full meeting:

May 20, 2026 – Regular Council Meeting – Part 1

May 20, 2026 – Regular Council Meeting – Part 2

Watch all past streams here:  https://www.youtube.com/@TOStrathmore/streams