To help with keeping their doors open, the Bonnyville and District SPCA will receive the funding they requested from the Town of Bonnyville.
Council approved the $50,000 ask during their regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 27.
Since this was the first time the municipality has contributed to the animal shelter, Coun. Elisa Brosseau and Coun. Ray Prevost raised concerns about what would be required of the SPCA once they receive the money.
"Normal conditions of grant money is they would be requested to give us a copy of their financial statement at the end of the year to show how they spent the money," explained CAO Mark Power.
Mayor Gene Sobolewski noted council only agreed to include it in the 2019 budget.
"This was basically a motion that was passed for this particular fiscal year. Next year, if they want to write another letter, and so on and so forth, it will be up to council to determine to approve the grant or (not)," he said.
The MD of Bonnyville included $60,000 in their 2019 interim budget for the SPCA, with $10,000 going toward the spay and neuter program.
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EMS facing staffing shortage
The Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) is facing a staffing shortage in terms of EMS workers, Sobolewski told council.
He attributed the issue to Alberta Health Services (AHS) opening 70 positions in metro areas, and the differing pay scales across the province.
"Our (salaries) are lower, and there has been a massive reluctance by AHS to bring the wage scale to parity," Sobolewski stressed.
Another problem faced by the BRFA is the lack of interest they're seeing when it comes to filling open positions.
"They want more standardized hours of work, and things like that. We're going to be having some conversations with AHS, and they're aware that they're going to have to start working with us to make things happen," expressed Sobolewski.
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C2 construction moving ahead
The Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre is forging ahead with construction on the VIP area in the R.J. Lalonde Arena, as well as at the Agriplex.
Sobolewski, a member of the C2 board, said the project is moving to tender and the hope is for construction to begin this summer.
Due to the renovations at the Agriplex, which will turn the space into a multi-purpose area, the Bingo Association will need to find a new location by April 30.
"(They) not only have to vacate the spot, but also remove the things they had constructed," Sobolewski detailed.
