Emergency calls made to the Ponoka Fire Department will soon go to the City of Red Deer Emergency Service dispatch centre.
Councillors approved the change June 24 since the current call centre in Rocky Mountain House will no longer conduct dispatch services, effective Oct. 14. Switching the Telus 911 assignment is a three-month process, says Ted Dillon, director of protective services for the town. “Time is of the essence.”
Ponoka will see a cost of $1.97 per capita prorated for 2013 with a four-per-cent increase in subsequent years. This year the town will pay $11,150 in 2013 and will pay $23,700 next year to Red Deer.
“The City of Red Deer has offered as good as deal as we’re going to get,” said Dillon.
Other emergency crews in central Alberta also use the service, which he feels is a benefit.
Coun. Rick Bonnett feels the provincial and federal governments are creating extra costs for municipalities and balancing budgets is becoming increasingly difficult with these changes. “They can’t keep downloading stuff on the municipalities.”
Outdated town fees
Outdated application fees levied by the Town of Ponoka may see some increases.
Subdivision application fees were last updated in 2011 when the Town of Ponoka separated from the West Central Planning agency, explained CAO Brad Watson. “All we’re trying to do now is keep consistent with fees from surrounding municipalities.”
Development permit applications were last changed in 1997 and the fees don’t cover the costs.
“It’s way outdated. The homework has been done,” stated Watson.
The other fee change proposal is in the building permit fees, which were not changed since 2005.
Coun. Loanna Gulka supported the first and second motions on the proposed fee changes just to keep up with costs. A request to give three reading in one meeting was not provided, to give residents the opportunity to provide feedback.