Picture Butte council briefs

By Kathy Bly
For the Sunny South News

Council affirms support for STARS
A letter from the STARS Foundation requesting $2 per capita in financial support from the Town of Picture Butte was received and filed by council noting Picture Butte has already committed, for the next two years, to a $1 per capita donation.
Interim operating budget approved
Picture Butte town council, while it meets with administration to finalize the 2016 overall budget, has approved an interim operating budget. As part of the regular budgeting process, the town approves an interim budget to allow it to carry on with the day to day operation of the town, until the overall budget is finalized in 2016.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Larry Davidson noted an infrastructure assessment for the town will be the major project on the books for 2016. He noted the final budget will need to be approved in early spring.
RCMP open house
Davidson reported he recently met with the Staff Sgt. Art Hopkins with the Picture Butte RCMP Detachment to discuss areas of concern between the town and the police. He said the RCMP have suggested the town may wish to request Alberta Transportation install a 4-way stop at the intersection of Highway 25 and 4 Street. RCMP also communicated to him the best way for Picture Butte to increase service delivery is to make sure all criminal activities are reported. If residents feel there should be more police presence in the community they have to report when there is criminal activity.
Davidson also discussed with the RCMP the idea of hosting an open house early in 2016 to provide information to residents on how policing is conducted in rural detachments, as some residents are under the misconception local RCMP are Picture Butte RCMP when in fact they are assigned to police a large rural area, which includes the town. He is looking at a possible date in February for the open house.

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