Stettler council approves variety of 2025 capital budget items

Stettler Town Council approved several purchases at its March 18 meeting.  They also addressed the Stettler Fire Hall, which was a topic of discussion at the recent Committee of the Whole.

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Leann Graham addressed council regarding the purchase of a $70,000 2025 capital budget item for a new three-quarter-ton truck.  

The town received three competing bids for the item, two from Aspen Ford and a third from Stettler Dodge.  The lowest bid was from Aspen for $59,249 excluding GST.  

Administration recommended the purchase from Aspen Ford, as well as an additional $8,000 to properly outfit the truck with the necessary equipment.  

The total cost would be $67,249.  The purchase was approved with a carried motion from Coun. Gord Lawlor.

Next was the purchase of a new floor scrubber for the Stettler Recreation Centre.  Since the unit was not available through local companies, the tender was put out through the Canoe Procurement Program.  

The 2025 capital budget item was approved at $12,000.  The current unit at the SRC will be moved to the Community Centre which will replace the one there that is coming to its end of life.  

Administration’s recommendation to purchase a unit for $12,499 (excluding GST) was approved with a motion from Coun. Scott Pfeiffer.

The final capital budget item was for a new woodchipper for the town.  

Again, pricing was sourced through Canoe Procurement Group of Canada, under the Rural Municipality discount program.  

The new unit, plus freight and pre-delivery inspection comes to $69,830.96, plus the purchase of a Confidence Plus Warranty, bringing the total to $73,630.96 (excluding GST).  The recommendation from administration to purchase the item was approved with a motion from Coun. Travis Randell.

The current woodchipper will go to public auction. The unit, which was purchased in 1996, was assessed and is expected to bring in between $7-10,000 at the auction.

When asked, CAO Graham explained the town has used the Canoe Group for the purchase of fuels and even tires.  She noted that Canoe works through several businesses and suppliers.  She did note administration will continue seeking local tenders at every opportunity. 

Renovations for the regional Fire Station One were next addressed.  It had been addressed at previous meetings and was brought up for decision.  Immediate needs have been identified and include the addition of a female washroom, a bay for the new town engine to be purchased in the future, and the possibility of adding a second floor.

The renovations is a joint project between the Town and County of Stettler.  

Each municipality has allotted $15,000 to go towards construction drawings and early work on the project.  The funds have already been earmarked as an operational expense from each group.

The motion was made to approve the priorities identified, and direct administration to bring back cost comparison for the main floor or second story option by Coun. Wayne Smith.  The motion was carried.  

It was brought to Council’s attention that the County has accepted the options and priorities as information and will be reviewed at a later date once more information has been gathered.