Municipal District of Wainwright Financial Statement & Reports (TPD1104006)

In regards to road stabilization, we used our own forces instead of private contractors, to improve the base of Hawkins Road with terracem. Cost savings were realized by doing the project on our own. The road stabilization process is significantly cheaper than conventional paving and may prove very cost effective for our roads with lighter traffic. To help fund many of these road infrastructure projects, the M.D. received approximately $5.2 million in grant funding in 2010. Of this $1.5 million was from the Resource Road Program and approximately $2.4 million was from the Municipal Sustainability Initiative, both funded by the Province of Alberta. In addition, we received just under $400,000 from the Provincial Government to completely rebuild the Fabyan Lagoon and Lift Station.

We completed approximately 13 km of road oiling in 2010. Our oiling crew was also busy applying Durasoil®, which is a new dust control product for the M.D. Durasoil is designed to last longer than using crude oil or calcium for dust control. We had relatively positive results with the Durasoil in 2010. The product is designed to be reapplied at one third the original rate in the second year application and less in subsequent applications. We plan to use more Durasoil in 2011 and monitor its effectiveness.

Road maintenance continued as usual with 146,000 metric tonnes of gravel applied to our gravel roads. More gravel was required than prior years due to the wet conditions we experienced in 2010. We use both private and M.D. trucks to haul and spread the gravel. We are maintaining our grader fleet at seven graders with one additional grader being used to supplement other graders where it is needed. This additional grader was busy reclaiming our gravel road tops when it was available. To undertake this project, we mounted a special mulcher on the front of the grader to recycle the gravel underneath and beside the road. Also, to keep up our stockpiles of gravel, we hired a private contractor to crush approximately 149,000 metric tonnes of gravel.

The M.D. Administration team worked hard in planning and organizing these projects to ensure that they were successful. On behalf of Council, I would like thank them for their dedication to the M.D. over the course of the year.

As indicated in the attached reports from our Development Officer and Agricultural Fieldman, the development and agricultural services departments continue to be an integral part of our municipality’s operation.

In closing, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Council, Administration and all M.D. employees for their continued support throughout this last year.

Respectfully Submitted,

Bob Barss, Reeve

 

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF WAINWRIGHT NO. 61

717 – 14   Avenue

Wainwright, Alberta T9W 183

(780) 842-4454

Fax (780) 842-2463

 

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR

MANAGEMENT REPORT

The accompanying financial statements and other information contained in the Financial Report are the responsibility of the management of the Municipal District of Wainwright No. 61.

These financial statements have been prepared by management. Financial statements are not precise since they include certain amounts based on estimates and judgements. Management has determined such amounts on a reasonable basis in order to ensure that the financial statements are presented fairly, in all material respects.

The Municipal District of Wainwright No. 61 maintains systems of intern.al accounting and administrative controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial information is relevant, reliable, and accurate and that the Municipal District of Wainwright No. 61’s assets are properly accounted for and adequately safeguarded.

The elected council of the Municipal District of Wainwright  No. 61  is  responsible for  ensuring  that management fulfils its responsibilities for financial reporting and is ultimately responsible  for  reviewing  and  approving  the financial statements. Council carries out its responsibility principally through the Finance and Administration Committee.

The Reeve and Administrator meet annually with management and with the external auditors to discuss internal controls over the financial reporting issues, and to satisfy themselves that each party is properly discharging its responsibilities. The Finance and Administration Committee also considers, for approval by Council, the engagement or re-appointment of the external auditor.

The financial statements have been audited by Donald L. Isaman Professional Corporation, Chartered Accountant, the external auditor, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards on behalf of Council, residents and rate payers of the municipality. Donald L. Isaman Professional Corporation has full and free access to the Finance and Administration Committee.

Municipal Administrator,

April 19, 2011

DONALD L. ISAMAN

Professional Corporation

Chartered Accountant

 

AUDITOR’S REPORT

To the Members of Council:

Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements

I have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Municipal District of Wainwright No. 61, which comprise the statement of financial position as at December 31, 2010, and the statements of operations, change in net financial assets and cash flows for the year then ended, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

Management’s Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s Responsibility

My responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on my audit. I conducted my audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that I comply with all ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.  The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances , but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting principles used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my audit opinion.

Opinion

In my opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Municipal District of Wainwright No. 61 as at December 31, 2010, the results of its operations, change in its net financial assets and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards.

 

Donald L. Isaman

PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION

Chartered Accountant

Wainwright, Alberta

April 19, 2011

 

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF WAINWRIGHT NO. 61

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION DECEMBER 31, 2010

STATEMENT 1

Consolidated Statement Of Financial Position, December 31, 2010, Statement 1

 

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF WAINWRIGHT NO. 61

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND ACCUMULATED SURPLUS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010

STATEMENT 2

Consolidated Statement Of Operations And Accumulated Surplus Year Ended December 31, 2010, Statement 2

 

 

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF WAINWRIGHT NO. 61  

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGE IN NET FINANCIAL ASSETS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010

STATEMENT 3

 

Consolidated Statement Of Change In Net Financial Assets Year Ended December 31, 2010, Statement 3

 

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF WAINWRIGHT NO. 61

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010

STATEMENT 4

 

Consolidated Statement Of Cash Flows Year Ended December 31, 2010, Statement 4

 

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF WAINWRIGHT NO. 61

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The consolidated financial statements of the Municipal District of Wainwright No. 61 are the representations of management prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for local governments established by the Public Sector Accounting Board of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. Significant aspects of these accounting policies are as follows:

Basis of Accounting

The financial statements are prepared using the accrual basis of accounting. The accrual basis of accounting records revenue as it is earned and measurable. Expenses are recognized as they are incurred and measurable based upon receipt of goods or services and/or the legal obligation to pay.

Funds from external parties and earnings thereon restricted by agreement or legislation are accounted for as deferred revenue until used for the purpose specified.

Government transfers, contributions and other amounts are received from third parties pursuant to legislation, regulation or agreement and may only be used for certain programs, in the completion of specific work, or for the purchase of tangible capital assets. In addition, certain user charges and fees are collected for which the related services have yet to be performed. Revenue is recognized in the period when the related expenses are incurred, services performed or the tangible capital assets are acquired.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and. liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenditure during the period. Where measurement uncertainty exists, the financial statements have been prepared within reasonable limits of materiality. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Government Transfers

Government transfers are the transfer of assets from senior levels of government that are not the result of an exchange transaction, are not expected to be repaid in the future, or the result of a direct financial return.

Government transfers are recognized in the financial statements as revenue in the period in which events giving rise to the transfer occur, providing the transfers are authorized, any eligibility criteria have been met, and reasonable estimates of the amounts can be determined.

Requisition Over-levy and Under-levy

Over-levies and under-levies arise from the difference between the actual property tax levy made to cover each requisition and the actual amount requisitioned. If the actual levy exceeds the requisition, the over­ levy is accrued as a liability and property tax revenue is reduced. Where the actual levy is less than the requisition amount, the under-levy is accrued as a receivable and as property tax revenue. Requisition tax rates in the subsequent year are adjusted for any over-levies or under-levies of the prior year.

Non-Financial Assets

Non-financial assets are not available to discharge existing liabilities and are held for use in the provision of services. They have useful lives extending beyond the current year and are not intended for sale in the normal course of operations. The change in non-financial assets during the year, together with the excess of revenue over expenses, provides the consolidated Change in Net Financial Assets for the year.

Tangible Capital Assets

Tangible capital assets are recorded at cost which includes all amounts that are directly attributable to acquisition, construction, development or betterment of the asset. The cost, less residual value, of the tangible capital assets is amortized on a straight line basis over the estimate useful life as follows:

 

Years

Buildings                                     25-50

Engineered structures

Roadway systems                  10-60

Wastewater systems               30-75

Water systems                       30-75

Machinery and equipment                 5-20

Vehicles                                       10-20

Land Improvements                        10-45

 

One-half of the annual amortization is charged in the year of acquisition and in the year of disposal. Assets under construction are not amortized until the asset is available for productive use.

Contributions of Tangible Capital Assets

Tangible capital assets received as contributions are recorded at fair value at the date of receipt and also are recorded as revenue.

Inventories

Inventories held for consumption are recorded at the lower of cost and replacement cost.

Leases

Leases are classified as capital or operating leases. Leases which transfer substantially all of the benefits and risks incidental to ownership of property are accounted for as capital leases. All other leases are accounted for as operating leases and the related lease payments are charged to expenses as incurred.

 

2. CASH AND TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS

 

Table. Cash and Temporary Investments.

 

Temporary investments are short term deposits with maturities of twelve months or less. Included in the above balances are $194,588 (2009 – $1,347,027) of funds restricted in use.

 

3. TAXES AND GRANTS IN LIEU RECEIVABLES       

 

Table. Taxes And Grants In Lieu Receivables.

 

4. DEFERRED REVENUE

 

Table. Deferred Revenue.

 

Resource Road Program

Funding in the amount of $1,200,000 was received under the Resource Road Program for the Ribstone Road in 2009. This program provides Alberta Government cost shared grant funding for 50% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $1,500,000. The project commenced in 2009 and was completed in 2010. As such, the Resource Road grant was recognized as revenue in 2010.

Municipal Sustainability Initiative

Funding in the amount of $2,680,688 (2009 – $1, 180,253) was received from the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI).  All MSI funding has been spent however interest in the amount of $61,035 (2009  –  $54,341) which has accrued on the MSI funds over the past four years is being carried forward and will be utilized on future MSI projects.

 

5. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS

 

Table. Vacation.

 

The vacation liability is comprised of the vacation that employees are deferring to future years.

6. TRUST FUNDS

A summary of trust fund activities by the Municipal District of Wainwright No. 61 is as follows:

Table. Trust Fund Activities.

 

7. EQUITY IN TANGIBLE CAPITAL ASSETS                                                        

 

Table. Equity in Tangible Capital Assets.

 

8. INVENTORY FOR CONSUMPTION                                             

 

Table. Inventory For Consumption.

 

9. ACCUMULATED SURPLUS

Accumulated surplus consists of restricted and unrestricted amounts and equity in tangible capital assets as follows:

Table. Accumulated Surplus.

 

10. RESTRICTED SURPLUS

Restricted surplus activities changed as follows:

Table. Restricted Surplus.

 

11. SALARY AND BENEFITS DISCLOSURE

Disclosure of salaries and benefits for municipal officials, the chief administrative officer and designated officers, as required by Alberta Regulation 313/2000 is as follows:

Table. Salary, Benefits and Allowances.

 

(1) Salary includes regular base pay, bonuses, overtime, lump sum payments, gross honoraria and any other direct cash remuneration.

(2) Employer’s share of all employee benefits and contributions or payments made on behalf of employees including pension, health care, dental coverage, vision coverage, group life insurance, accidental disability and dismemberment insurance, long and short term disability plans, professional memberships and tuition.

(3) Benefits and allowances figures also include the employer’s share of the costs of additional taxable benefits including special leave with pay, financial and retirement planning services, concessionary loans, travel allowances, car allowances and club memberships.

12. LOCAL AUTHORITIES PENSION PLAN

Employees of the Municipality participate in the Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP), which is one of the plans covered by the Alberta Public Sector Pension Plans Act. The LAPP serves about 133,000 people and 389 employers. The LAPP is financed by employer and employee contributions and by investment earnings of the LAPP Fund.

Contributions for current service are recorded as expenditures in the year in which they become due.

The Municipality is required to make current service contributions to the LAPP of 9.06% (2009 – 8.46%) of pensionable earnings up to the year’s maximum pensionable earnings under the Canada Pension Plan and 12.53% (2009 – 11.66%) on pensionable earnings above this amount. Employees of the Municipality are required to make current service contributions of 8.06% (2009 – 7.46%) of pensionable salary up to the year’s maximum pensionable salary and 11.53% (2009 – 10.66%) on pensionable salary above this amount.

Total current service contributions by the Municipality to the LAPP in 2010 were $227,755 (2009   –   $209,024). Total current service contributions by the employees of the Municipality to the LAPP in 2010 were $205,064 (2009 – $186,841).

At December 31, 2009, the LAPP disclosed an actuarial deficiency of $1,288.9 million.

13. DEBT LIMITS

Section 276(2) of the Municipal Government Act requires that debt and debt limits as defined by Alberta Regulation 255/00 for the Municipal District of Wainwright No. 61 be disclosed as follows:

 

Table. Debt Limit, Debt Servicing Limit.

 

The debt limit is calculated at 1.5 times revenue of the municipality         (as defined in Alberta Regulation 255/00) and the debt service limit is calculated at 0.25 times such revenue. Incurring debt beyond these limitations requires approval by the Minister of Municipal Affairs. These thresholds are guidelines used by Alberta Municipal Affairs to identify municipalities that could be at financial risk if further debt is acquired. The calculation alone does not represent the financial stability of the municipality. Rather, the financial statements must be interpreted as a whole.

14. CONTINGENCIES

The Municipal District of Wainwright No. 61 is a member of the Alberta Municipal Insurance Exchange (MUNIX). Under the terms of the membership, the Municipality could become liable for its proportionate share of any claim losses in excess of the funds held by the exchange. Any liability incurred would be accounted for as a current transaction in the year th1 losses are determined.

15. SEGMENTED DISCLOSURE

The Municipal District of Wainwright No. 61 provides a range of services to its ratepayers. For each reported segment, revenue and expenses represent both amounts that are directly attributable to the segment and amounts that are allocated on a reasonable basis. The accounting policies used in these segments are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the financial statements as disclosed in Note 1.

Refer to the Schedule of Segmented Disclosure (schedule 6).

16. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Municipality’s financial instruments consist of cash and temporary investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. It is management’s opinion that the Municipality is not exposed to significant interest or currency risks arising from these financial instruments.

The Municipality is subject to credit risk with respect to taxes and grants in lieu receivables and trade and other · receivables. Credit risk arises from the possibility that taxpayers and entities to which the Municipality provides services may experience financial difficulty and be unable to fulfill their obligations. The large number and diversity of taxpayers and customers minimizes the credit risk.

Unless otherwise noted, the carrying value of the financial instrument approximates fair value.

17. APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Council and Management have approved these financial statements.

18. COMPARATIVE FIGURES

Some of the comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

 

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF WAINWRIGHT NO. 61

SCHEDULE OF CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED SURPLUS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010

SCHEDULE 1

Table. Schedule Of Changes In Accumulated Surplus Year Ended December 31, 2010, Schedule 1.

 

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF WAINWRIGHT NO. 61

SCHEDULE OF TANGIBLE CAPITAL ASSETS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010

SCHEDULE 2

Table. Schedule Of Tangible Capital Assets Year Ended December 31, 2010, Schedule 2.

 

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF WAINWRIGHT NO. 61

SCHEDULE OF PROPERTY TAXES YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010

SCHEDULE 3

Table. Schedule Of Property Taxes Year Ended December 31, 2010, Schedule 3.

 

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF WAINWRIGHT NO. 61

SCHEDULE OF GOVERNMENT TRANSFERS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010    

SCHEDULE 4

Table. Schedule Of Government Transfers Year Ended December 31, 2010, Schedule 4.

 

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF WAINWRIGHT NO. 61

SCHEDULE OF CONSOLIDATED EXPENSES BY OBJECT YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010

SCHEDULE 5

 

Table. Schedule Of Consolidated Expenses By Object Year Ended December 31, 2010, Schedule 5.

 

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF WAINWRIGHT NO. 61

SCHEDULE OF SEGMENTED DISCLOSURE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010

SCHEDULE 6

 

Table. Schedule Of Segmented Disclosure Year Ended December 31, 2010, Schedule 6.

 

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF WAINWRIGHT NO. 61

2010 AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD REPORT

Board Composition

Phil Valleau            Councilor (Chairman)

Ted Wilkinson       Councilor

Karla White            Farm Member

Chris Oracheski    Farm Member

Harold Gulbraa    Farm Member

James Schwindt    Agricultural Fieldman

Aimee Wonsik       Asst. Agricultural Fieldman

Rod Gabrielson    Pest Control Officer                     *Three ASB Meetings were held in 2010

 

Administration

The ASB received grants from Alberta Agriculture in the amounts of $160,157.75 (Provincial ASB Grant), $57,700.00 (Rat Control Grant), and $45,125.00 (Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Grant). Through the Provincial ASB Grant, the M.D. of Wainwright has qualified and received the full grant amount of $150,000.00/year plus a one-time additional grant   of

$10,157.75 based on municipal programming. The ASB continued to support the Town of Wainwright’s noxious weed control program in the amount of $4,000.00. In addition, the ASB also supported Canadian Forces Base Wainwright with their noxious and restricted weed control program in the amount of approximately $6,171.25. The Municipal District of Wainwright handled the Emergency Registered liquid strychnine concentrate (LSC) for the producers in 2010 and are waiting to hear if there will be an Emergency Registration for 2011. The M.D. hosted the sixth annual Rural Routes Supper and social, which again proved to be a very popular event with 340 ratepayers and their families attending. Both the Rural Routes Supper and the M.D. calendar project will continue in 2011. Please mark August 5, 2011 on your calendar as this is the date set for the Rural Routes Supper. The M.D. participated in the 2010 Wainwright Trade Show once again with Municipal District of Wainwright and Rat Control booths. A rewritten and revised ASB Management Plan was prepared, passed by ASB and Council and submitted to Alberta Agriculture for the upcoming 2011 year.

Vegetation Management And Crop Pest Monitoring

The M.D. continued to maintain three weed inspectors and three GPS/injection equipped trucks. These trucks were stationed in Irma, Wainwright and Edgerton. In 2010 we again addressed toadflax, scentless chamomile, leafy spurge, tansy, white cockle and Canada thistle among the other noxious and prohibited noxious weeds found within our boundaries. A number of nodding thistle patches (which is a prohibited noxious weed under the newly rewritten and enacted Alberta Weed Control Act) were found in locations south of Edgerton and North of Irma. We did a herbicide trial in the Irma area targeting Gypsophila panaculata (Baby’s Breath). We completed our roadside spraying program and responded to all submitted weeds calls. After evaluating our roadside spray program, a three year rotational complete coverage program will be implemented starting in 2011.

The M.D. also participated in research projects with BASF involving the herbicide Overdrive and Dow AgriSciences research plot with a herbicide called ClearView. These research and trial plots are in an effort to find effective alternative control options for the noxious weeds within the Municipal District of Wainwright. Canadian Forces Base Wainwright continues to map and control spotted knapweed and conduct their weed control program in an effort to meet the requirements under the Provincial Weed Control Act. The M.D. of Wainwright, through a contracted position, participated in a Provincial Weed Survey.

In 2010 the M.D. had a contractor complete approximately 700 miles of roadside shoulder mowing. This initiative resulted in many positive comments and will be increased to approximately 850 miles in 2011 and evaluated in the fall.

The M.D. continued with a number of pest monitoring initiatives which included setting up Bertha Army Worm and Diamondback Moth traps, and found count numbers to be lower than average. The annual grasshopper survey was completed with one site per township being inspected; counts were average to lower than usual. The M.D. of Wainwright also completed the second year of random Clubroot inspections on 40 canola fields; there were no fields found to show symptoms positive for Clubroot. The M.D. also took root and node samples from 18 wheat fields as part of a Provincial Fusarium graminearum survey. Bertha Army Worm, Diamondback Moth, grasshoppers and Clubroot will all be surveyed again in 2011. The potential influx of Fusarium graminearum into the M.D. is still a big issue of concern with the lack of a certified test and the uncertainty around the direction that the Fusarium Management Committee may take for a recommendation to the Minister in the spring of 2011. The implementation of an M.D. Fusarium graminearum policy is currently on hold until the above issues have been addressed or clarified by Alberta Agriculture.

Municipal Projects, Demonstrations And Extension Activities

This year we received $45,125.00 from the Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Program. The focus for this money was to provide information and programs within three priority management areas: Water for Life, Climate Change and support for the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) process. EFP workbooks are still being accessed from the M.D. office and assistance is given to producers that are interested in applying for Growing Forward funding in the Grazing and Winter Feeding stream. Weekly radio ads, called “Municipal Agri‐minute” were voiced every week starting in March and ending in December and were aired on both the AM and FM channels of Key 83. These airings quickly promoted sustainable agriculture messages to rural farmers and ranchers, and also spread word on upcoming events. There were also 6 newsletters published and mailed out to an average of 1,400 rural households each edition. We provided projects to producers that included a Silage Oat plot trial with pancake breakfast (in partnership with the Wainwright Seed Cleaning Plant), showcasing 7 oat varieties between 8 partners: Don Selte with Radisson, Waldren, Morgan and Triple Crown Oats, Harold Warkington for the Murphy and Lu Oats, Andrukow Group Solutions with Baler Oats, Wainwright Viterra, Dalton Seed Farm, Pare Seed Farm and Eastern View Farms. Seminars held this past year included Grazing School for Women with 34 participants, the Scott Research Field Day with 15 participants, a Water Well Maintenance workshop with 30 participants, Alternative Energy Cabin and also a tour of Kotelko’s Feedlot and Bio Digestors. A PFRA shelterbelt tree meeting was also held. The Municipal Photo Contest was another popular event with over 400 photograph entries. The decision to choose the top 13 photos to showcase in the M.D. calendar was extremely difficult as always, but the finished project turned out to be the best ever with updated formatting to include local noxious weed and pest information correlating to specific months; local ratepayers quickly picked up all 750 copies.

If you are interested in becoming involved in any of our workshops or if you have ideas for an event or newsletter article, please contact the Assistant Agricultural Fieldman, Aimee Wonsik at 780‐842‐4454.

 

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF WAINWRIGHT NO. 61

PEST CONTROL

In 2010 there were no rat infestations in the Rural Municipality of Manitou Lake in Saskatchewan or the Municipal District of Wainwright. There have been isolated rat sightings in various areas of the Province and confirmed rat infestations to the south of us in Special Areas. The Municipal Rat Control team has been trying to monitor the Province’s control actions in Special Areas in order to be prepared if the infestations move in a northernly direction. The numbers in Saskatchewan are on the decrease. We are expecting an increase in the Beaver calls with the wet fall and all the snow we have had this winter. The coyote predation calls are down so far and I am not expecting much of an increase this spring.

If you have any questions or concerns about pest control, please call Rod Gabrielson at 780‐842‐ 7285 or the M.D. office at 780‐842‐4454.

The above is a brief report on the activities of the Agricultural Service Board in 2010.

We extend our thanks to the Municipal Council, Administration, staff and the members of the Agricultural Service Board for their cooperation, guidance and assistance in 2010.

Respectfully Submitted,

James Schwindt, Agricultural Fieldman

 

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF WAINWRIGHT NO. 61

2010 DEVELOPMENT OFFICER’S ANNUAL REPORT

2010 began slowly in development activity, with an increase in volume during the last half of the year. There was a 20% drop in development permit approvals, with 49 development permits being issued. The dollar value, however, showed an increase of 45%, with year-to-date total dollar value being $11,005,980. There were 31 new homes and 18 other developments.

The Provincial Government issued 99 drilling permits throughout the municipality and the municipality granted 21 pipeline road-crossing approvals during 2010.

The MD received 14 applications for subdivision during 2010, of which 11 have been approved, with a total of 23 new parcels being created.

The MD would like to remind all residents that all houses and residential garages built within the Municipal District of Wainwright require a development permit. Development permits are required for all development on parcels of 80 acres or less. If you have any questions regarding development, please contact our office at 780-842-4454.

Alberta Municipal Affairs is responsible for issuing building, electrical, plumbing, gas and private sewer system permits within the Municipal District of Wainwright. A list of accredited inspection agencies/companies designated by Municipal Affairs to issue permits and conduct inspections is available at our office.

The Municipal District of Wainwright continues to encourage development and we welcome the opportunity to discuss all new proposals.

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Klasson Development Officer