MD of Taber Aug. 11 COW meeting highlights 

Posted on August 20, 2026 by Vauxhall Advance

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Municipal District of Taber (MDT) held its Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting on August 11, where members reviewed several items ahead of decisions by Council. Discussions included next year’s personnel budget, updated rules for food trucks at the MD Park, and a new draft policy for managing land revenue.

 Here are the highlights.

2027 Personnel Budget Update 

Each year, the MDT reviews the expected cost of labour for the coming budget. This includes cost-of-living adjustments, benefit and deduction changes, and merit increases. Administration presented the proposed 2027 personnel figures for Council’s information.

Several changes could shape the coming year’s numbers:

• Removal of temporary positions, wage corrections, and other mid-year adjustments account for a net decrease of roughly $268,000 from 2025.

• An attire allowance of about $22,500 will now be included in the budget. This cost has been paid each year but was not previously budgeted.

• CPP and EI deductions are expected to rise by about 4.5 per cent. Final rates arrive from the federal government in November.

• Pension program maximums are estimated to increase by 4.5 per cent, adding about $3,500. These figures are also confirmed in the fall.

• A cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 2.23 per cent, set under the MDT’s Compensation Policy, would raise salaries and wages by $177,000, CPP and EI by $7,750, pension contributions by $15,500, and benefits by $2,000.

• Merit adjustments of $100,000 represent slightly less than one per cent of the overall personnel budget.

Together, these changes bring the 2027 budget up by roughly $67,400, or 0.65 per cent, compared to 2026. Administration noted this figure may shift once federal rates are finalized and any further compensation adjustments occur before the end of 2026.

Administration also signalled plans to bring forward business cases for two new roles in 2027. The first is a Laserfiche workflow and records management specialist, who would help the MDT get more value from its technology investment by managing records and automating workflows. 

The second is a municipal intern, offering administrative support across departments while receiving mentorship. That position would require an application to the ACP grant program and, if approved, would be partly funded by the Province.

Mobile Food Sales and Services Policy 

The MD of Taber Park remains a popular spot for food trucks and other mobile vendors. Administration presented updates to the Mobile Food Sales and Services Policy, which sets out the guidelines vendors follow when offering services at the Park.

The changes make the policy clearer and easier to follow. New requirements were added for vendors seeking a Certificate of Operation, including a food handling permit, a fire inspection certificate, and liability insurance.

 Administration supports the updated policy for the added clarity it provides.

Draft Land Revenue Policy 

Council reviewed a draft Municipal Land Management Revenue Policy, referred to during the meeting as the Land Revenue Policy. The policy would apply to revenue generated from MDT agricultural land, with developed and sold lots excluded.

The idea grew out of the Land Management Plan Project, where a revenue policy was identified as a key step toward long-term sustainability and a balanced approach to managing municipal land. The goal is to secure revenue that can fund and invest in the essential infrastructure behind core municipal services.

The draft aims to capture several key concepts:

• Setting out roles and responsibilities for managing land-related revenue.

• Identifying land revenue sources and future trends.

• Establishing a general baseline for land revenue.

• Creating a Critical Infrastructure Fund/Reserve, grown by land revenue that exceeds the baseline and by interest earned over time.

• Defining how interest from that fund could support core services such as roads, water, wastewater, drainage, Fire and Emergency Services, and potentially culture and recreation.

• Protecting land revenue investments from spending habits of current and future Council and Administration, helping ensure the asset stays sustainable as it shifts from land to money.

• Identifying exclusions, such as joint venture agreements and projects with strategic revenue purposes.

The policy looks to alternative revenue sources, including potential land sales and interest earned on investments, as a way to ease reliance on traditional methods such as property taxes over time. Administration noted that a mix of revenue sources is still expected, since Council has set other revenue priorities through its strategic planning.

Administration recommended that the Committee consider the draft policy and provide feedback to guide further development before it returns to Council.

Learn More Online 

Learn more about these and other COW discussions on the Municipal District of Taber’s website.