Village of Rockyford council held the line with no increase on residential taxes during the regular council meeting on Wednesday, February 9.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Elaine Macdonald provided council with a thorough breakdown of water, sewer, and garbage revenue and expenses prior to presenting the 2022 Operating Budget.
She noted the Wheatland Regional Corporation (WRC) held its own budgeting meeting and increased its cost per cubic metre for water.
To accommodate this increase, the village will implement a two per cent increase for water; there will also be a two per cent increase on sewer and garbage.
Bulk water costs will also increase, however, CAO Macdonald noted she is still working on the amount as bulk water is metered in American gallons and priced in cubic metres and this is causing some discrepancies.
CAO Macdonald shared she hopes water metering at the municipal campground can be completed this year to provide a better understanding of how much water is being used at this facility between campsites and the camp washrooms.
There were some adjustments made to the Operating Budget from the original budget meeting on January 27.
This includes a two per cent staff wage increase and a $15,000 adjustment under the firefighting budget for bunker gear. CAO Macdonald shares that she was informed of a capital grant available for bunker gear and has adjusted the budget to reflect this.
Carbon levies are also increasing this year and CAO Macdonald noted an additional five per cent was budgeted to accommodate this increase, along with a five per cent increase for utilities.
Rockyford Mayor Darcy Burke stated, “With no number available, I think five per cent is as good as we can do.”
Despite these challenges, council passed the 2022 Operating Budget with no change to the residential tax rate; this is the second year council has passed zero increase to the residential tax rate despite added costs.
The 2022 Capital Budget will be brought before council for consideration in an upcoming meeting.

Sentencing in the August 2019 multi-vehicle accident near the hamlet of Chinook, east of Hanna, which left three people dead and multiple injured was handed down on Friday, February 11.
Daniel Zacharias Wollmann from Mitchell, Manitoba previously pleaded guilty in October 2021 to one count of dangerous driving causing death, naming the three individuals who perished in the collision, and one count of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, naming the 14 people injured. His family was present in the courtroom for support during the sentencing hearing.
The court heard Mr. Wollmann was driving a commercial semi-truck hauling crushed cars on August 20, 2019 when he momentarily fell asleep at the wheel at approximately 3:30 p.m. and failed to stop the vehicle as he approached the intersection of Highway 9 and Range Road 73 near the hamlet of Chinook.
Nine vehicles were stopped in the construction zone at the intersection and Mr. Wollmann’s semi-truck collided with the rear of the vehicle lineup, causing a subsequent domino effect collision.
A total of 11 vehicles, including a semi-truck hauling fuel and another hauling butane, were involved in the collision; a fire broke out at the crash site and the area was placed on evacuation alert due to the smoke.
At the time of the accident, Mr. Wollmann admitted to Oyen RCMP and civilians he had “felt dozy” and “gone out” for a few seconds prior to the crash and intended to pull over at the hamlet of Chinook to rest and have a nap.
Mr. Wollmann was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident, had no prior criminal record or driving convictions, and there were no indications Mr. Wollmann was driving dangerously prior to the collision. Judge Gasher commended Mr. Wollmann for remaining on the scene and providing what help he could.
The Crown recommended a sentence of three to five years while the defence recommended a sentence of two to three years.
Judge Gasher sentenced Mr. Wollmann to 28 months for one count of dangerous driving causing death, naming the three individuals killed, and 26 months for dangerous driving causing bodily harm, naming the individuals injured, to be served concurrently.
Following his release, Mr. Wollmann will also be prohibited from driving for a period of three years.