Rimbey FCSS, upon request, received an increase to its 2014 budget through Ponoka County Council.
Council will contribute $27,336 to Rimbey FCSS, an $8,000 increase from 2013.
The budget increase will provide better support for programs run through FCSS, including a home care program.
“The business model is that there’s actually the home care contract through Alberta Health Services, and that contract provides a really important service to our community,” said Reeve Paul McLauchlin.
McLauchlin feels it’s important the program is supported in the local environment. “There’s been dramatic failures in the home care program in our urban friends places, as well as the corporate delivery of home care has been a dismal failure.”
FCSS also provides around 16 other services, including a food bank. “At the end of the day they provide this social safety net that our community benefits from,” said McLauchlin.
Natural gas lines installed
Gull Lake Deer Creek Gas Co-op now has the right of way to upgrade their gas lines to provide service to five rural subdivisions.
“These are locations where the Gull Lake Deer Creek Gas Co-op just has not been able to land owner approval for right of way,” said CAO Charlie Cutforth
The lines are located on the west side of Gull Lake and the request asks the lines be located in the county’s ditches.
“I’ve had our public works guys have a look at it, they have no issue with it. They’re not going to affect us,” said Cutforth.
If the lines ever had to me moved, lowered or dealt with in the future, the funds could come from the Gull Lake Deer Creek Gas Co-op rather than the county.