MD of Taber Oct. 27 Council Meeting highlights

Posted on November 12, 2026 by Vauxhall Advance

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Municipal District (MD) of Taber Council met for its regular meeting on Oct. 27. The meeting opened with the adoption of the Oct. 20 minutes.

Condolences for CFB
Wainwright Tragedy 

Reeve Miyanaga expressed condolences regarding the recent tragedy at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright. Four members of the Canadian Armed Forces lost their lives and dozens of others were injured during a training exercise. The Reeve offered her thoughts and prayers to the families of those who lost loved ones and to those recovering from their injuries. She also thanked the first responders, emergency personnel and medical teams who responded to the incident.

Aurora Prairie Power Solar Project to Stay Put 

Council confirmed its earlier decision, made under resolution C-2026-345, that relocating the Aurora Prairie Power solar project is not feasible. The project will remain in the location originally agreed upon. Councillor John Turcato moved the motion (C-2026-377), which carried.

Policy Changes 

Council approved several amendments to the MD of Taber Land Sale Policy and related lease policies. All competitive land sales will now require a minimum reserve sale price or minimum reserve bid. Auctions will be the preferred method of sale. Councillor Turcato moved the motion (C-2026-378), which carried. The policy now defines an “original tenant” as the leaseholder at the time of lease execution, once the new land leases and policy are implemented. Councillor Layne Johnson moved the motion (C-2026-379), which carried.

Council directed further administration to offer the Vauxhall Grazing Association current grazing rental rates and invoicing for lease lands in Section 22, the West ½ of Section 26 and the West ½ of Section 35-12-14-W4M. These lands are associated with Phase II of the Scope Reservoir Irrigation Project. The arrangement will remain in place until a decision is made on the land exchange with the Province of Alberta. Reeve Miyanaga moved the motion (C-2026-380), which carried.

Current leaseholders of non-reoccurring cultivation leases, along with grazing leases that have been previously tendered, may now request to purchase the MD-owned lands they lease before the lease expires. These sales will go through a competitive auction process without a First Right of Refusal. The change amends the Cultivated Lands Policies, Grazing Lease Policy and Land Sale Policy. Councillor Turcato moved the motion (C-2026-381), which carried.

Current leaseholders of reoccurring cultivation leases and grazing leases may now request to purchase the MD-owned lands they lease. Tendered Grazing and Community Pasture Grazing leases are excluded. The reserve sale price will be set using the average of two appraisals, and leaseholders will have a First Right of Refusal. Councillor David Torrie moved the motion (C-2026-382), which carried.

Council directed administration to contact all cultivation leaseholders by mail and email about the land sale policy. Leaseholders will be asked to confirm receipt of all related correspondence. Councillor Turcato moved the motion (C-2026-283), which carried.

Council amended the Cultivated Lands Policy, effective March 1, 2027, to remove the one-time First Right of Refusal for current leaseholders of non-reoccurring cultivation leases. Councillor Johnson moved the motion (C-2026-284), which carried.

New Business on Oct. 27 

The meeting moved to new business.

CAO Report 

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) reported steady progress on several administrative initiatives.

• Policy adoption for the Land Management Plan is complete. Administration is now implementing the recently approved cultivation, grazing and land sale policies.

• The Strategic Communication Plan is also complete.

• Eastbound lanes on Highway 3 are projected to open by the end of October. Work is expected to continue in the area.

• The 2026 Hard Surface Patching Program was completed in September.

• Geotechnical evaluation for RR18-0 and RR18-2 is complete, and design work is well underway.

• Gravel crushing at the Reti pit is complete. Final quantities will be measured shortly.

• Soil remediation was completed at the old CPO building.

• Proposals are being evaluated for the Operations Wash Bay and Chem Shed project.

• Construction on the Hays Sanitary Replacement is set to begin soon. Work will take place just north of the hamlet, and residents should not be affected.

• Crews crack-sealed the airport runways at the end of September.

Ministerial Order Supports
Regional Emergency Management 

Council received a letter dated Oct. 16 from the Honourable Mike Ellis, Deputy Premier of Alberta and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services. The letter responded to Reeve Miyanaga’s request for a Ministerial Order.

The Ministerial Order authorizes the Village of Barnwell, the Town of Vauxhall and the MD of Taber to delegate their powers and duties under the Emergency Management Act to the Taber Region Emergency Advisory Committee. The Minister commended the three municipalities for pursuing regional collaboration and wished them success with the initiative.

Cemetery Maintenance and
Responsibilities 

At its May 26 meeting, Council asked administration for information on the provision of cemetery services (resolution C-2026-294). Administration presented its findings in a Council memo.

The MD has several registered cemeteries. It currently maintains the Grassy Lake, Enchant, Purple Springs, Retlaw and Hays cemeteries. This work includes mowing, weed trimming, herbicide application, tree maintenance and irrigation support where needed.

The MD also helps cemetery operators through donation requests, insurance programs, municipal utility plans at program rates, grant writing and annual contributions. Most of this support has been provided on request and requires MD approval.

Administration compiled a directory of cemeteries in the MD. It covers land ownership, location, active or inactive status, grounds maintenance, primary contacts, burial coordination and current MD involvement. A list of past MD cemetery funding was also prepared.

The MD’s Cemetery Maintenance Policy 56-001 was last revised in July 2000. It only addresses an increase to the annual maintenance fee for the Ibbestad and Retlaw cemeteries. It does not cover municipal responsibilities, service levels, ownership, inactive cemeteries, funding requests or capital improvements. Administration recommends reviewing it for currency and relevance.

Alberta’s Cemeteries Act and its General Regulation require cemeteries to be maintained. However, they do not set specific service levels or standards for fencing, irrigation, landscaping or capital improvements. Provincial officials confirmed that municipalities are not required to take ownership of abandoned or inactive cemeteries.

Volunteer boards, community organizations, historical societies and local representatives carry out much of the work of running local cemeteries. That work can include records management, plot sales, burial coordination and financial administration.

Cemetery operators were positive about their operations and appreciated the MD’s maintenance support. Their biggest concern is succession planning. Aging volunteers and limited new membership may make long-term governance difficult for some groups.

The most significant operational concern involves inactive cemeteries with no operator, as is the case in Purple Springs. The MD is not required to take ownership. Still, it may have a role as the municipality of jurisdiction and, in many cases, as the landowner. Under the Cemeteries Act, only certain entities, including municipalities and religious organizations, can own a cemetery. Taking on more responsibility would be a Council decision.

Community Services will continue to act as the point of contact for cemetery operators seeking municipal resources. Municipal Operations will continue regular grass and green space maintenance. Administration noted that any expanded municipal role would likely require more resources. Administration is prepared to gather feedback to guide new policy and to review and recommend changes to existing policy.

Learn More Online 

These highlights represent just a few of the items Council addressed at what was a full and productive meeting on Oct. 27. For complete details on these and other discussions, decisions and events, visit the MD of Taber website.