Council Contemplation

Merrill Harris

September 2025

Harvest is well underway and may already be complete in parts of the municipality. Thank you for prioritizing safety as we move products—our staff continues working hard to manage increased traffic and road impacts.

Congratulations to Holst Farms Ltd., the 2025 Calgary Stampede BMO Farm Family. Operating in the Hays area since 1952, the Holst family has demonstrated leadership in agriculture and community service. Their stewardship and volunteerism have helped shape our region.

Nominations for the 2026 Farm Family Award are now open: mdtaber.ab.ca/p/bmo-awards

Council Highlights

Over the past four years, Council has been honoured to serve our residents. Major legislative projects included:

  • The Master Transportation Plan
  • Land Use Bylaw
  • Review of municipally owned lands

We’ve prioritized safety through paid-on-call firefighters, medical first response, and collaboration with AHS to reinstate ambulance service in Vauxhall. We also partnered with Taber Police Service on the Community Standards Program and made annual commitments to STARS and HALO.

Horsefly Spillway Milestone

Phases 1 and 3 of the Horsefly Regional Emergency Spillway are complete, with Phase 2A preparing for tender. This regional initiative—developed with the St. Mary’s River Irrigation District and seven municipalities—protects critical canal infrastructure and supports flood mitigation.

Agriculture Services Board Update

The Board now includes three members-at-large, broadening its expertise and representation.

Advocacy & Appreciation

Council has actively advocated for the municipality at the provincial and federal levels. We thank MLA Grant Hunter, MLA Joseph Schow, MP David Bexte, and former MP Martin Shields for their support.

Thank You, Merrill Harris

We extend heartfelt thanks to Merrill Harris for his service from 2013–2025, including five years as Reeve. Merrill chaired numerous committees and contributed to many community initiatives, including the Vegetable Garden, Chamber of Commerce, and church efforts. His dedication has left a lasting impact.

Staff Recognition

Thank you to CAO Arlos Crofts and MD staff for your commitment to service. Retired staff member Dale Sommerville, who served for 28 years, shared that he “enjoyed coming to work every day”—a testament to the MD’s positive work environment.

Firefighter Appreciation

Our regional firefighters are everyday heroes. Their training, certification, and collaboration with AHS and HALO ensure rapid response when it matters most.

Interested in joining? Call 403-223-3541.

Resident Engagement

Your input through public consultation and the Service Tracker helps guide Council decisions. Please continue using this tool to report road concerns, bylaw infractions, and agriculture-related issues: mdtaber.ab.ca/p/service-tracker

2025 Municipal Election

Election Day is October 20th. Advance poll details will be announced soon. Please take time to vote—your voice matters.

Mental Health Resources

Mental health is just as important as physical health. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available:

On behalf of Council, thank you for your trust and support. We look forward to the future with optimism and a shared commitment to serving our region.

Fire Advisory in Effect
Fire Advisory in Effect