MD of Taber moving forward with Taber County rebrand

Posted on October 29, 2026 by Vauxhall Advance

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Municipal District of Taber Council met on Oct. 20. Here is an overview of decisions and discussions that took place.

September 22 Minutes Adopted 

The meeting opened with the adoption of the Sept. 22 minutes.

Aurora Prairie Power Lease 

At that meeting, Council approved exploring whether the proposed solar project could be relocated to the northeast corner of the SE of Section 21, Township 12, Range 16, W4 meridian. If relocation is not feasible, the project will remain in its current location.

Resolution No: C-2026-344 Proposed Amendment moved by Councillor David Torrie, stated “And; if relocating is not feasible, then further discussion with Aurora and the current lease holder take place to find a preferred location.” This motion was defeated.

Resolution No: C-2026-345 Aurora Prairie Power Lease, moved by Councillor Ernie Peters states, “That; the Municipal District of Taber explore the feasibility of relocating the proposed solar project to the northeast corner of the southeast of Section 21, Township 12, Range 16, W4 meridian. And; if relocating is not feasible, that the solar project remain in the same location.” This motion carried.

Grassy Lake Lot Development and Road Closure 

Council directed Administration to complete a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) on the southeast lot development property in the Hamlet of Grassy Lake. Council also approved a 2026 budget amendment of $3,800 from operating reserves to cover the assessment.

Name Change to Taber
County and Brand Refresh 

Council directed Administration to begin the formal process of changing the municipality’s name to Taber County. Administration will apply to Alberta Municipal Affairs and take the necessary steps to complete the change. Implementation is planned for the first half of 2027. Council further directed Administration to prepare potential brand and logo refresh ideas. Keeping the current brand will be one of the options.

Scope Reservoir Road Contract 

The MD has awarded the contract for the Scope Reservoir Roads project to BYZ Enterprises Inc. for $1,424,115. Council approved the award on a motion from Councillor John Turcato.

The award followed a debate over whether to delay it. Turcato first moved to amend a motion to table the contract award, proposing that council hold the item until an Oct. 22 meeting. The delay would have given administration time to communicate the proposed road construction to the Vauxhall Grazing Association and to include the successful bidders on the project. That amendment carried, but Councillor Layne Johnson’s motion to table the item as amended was defeated, which cleared the way for council to vote on the award itself.

Meeting Request with Provincial Ministers 

Council directed Administration to request a meeting with Minister Hunter and Minister Loewen about the municipality’s land swap request. A proposed amendment to include the Vauxhall Grazing Association in the meeting invitation was defeated.

New Business on Oct. 20 

The meeting moved to new business. Included in the discussions was the MD discussing changes to Bylaw No. 2036 – Amendment to Land Use Bylaw No. 2011.  

Administration said it tracked development and subdivision applications and found the same waiver requests coming up repeatedly, with the Municipal Planning Commission often willing to grant them. The amendments aim to reduce that reliance on waivers. They include changes to rules for ancillary buildings and to lot size and height requirements for duplex and semi-detached housing in the Hamlet Residential district, updated sign regulations across all districts, and a broader allowance for shipping containers in Grouped Country Residential.

Administration said the bylaw also corrects clerical and technical errors and clarifies application processes.

The most notable change would establish data centres as a distinct discretionary use in certain districts, with their own permit requirements and locational criteria. Until now, such proposals would have been considered under the Rural Industrial Class B provisions for data warehousing, which refer to cryptocurrency mining. Following a public hearing on Sept. 22, council amended the bylaw to tighten the wording on where data centres can be located, unless the development authority is satisfied nuisance, hazard and noxious effects will be minimized.

It also required direct notification of a meeting to the MD and any other affected municipality within the notification area. Comments came in from the St. Mary River Irrigation District, the Town of Taber and members of the public.

Learn More Online 

To learn more about these and other agenda items, visit the MD of Taber website.