15 Dec Special Areas Advisory Council Wraps Up 2025 With Focus on Healthcare, Roads, and Irrigation
Special Areas Advisory Council closed out the year with a three‑day meeting in Hanna, tackling issues ranging from healthcare and irrigation to road construction and waste management. The session marked the final gathering of 2025 and set the stage for priorities in the year ahead.
Shaune Kovitch, Chair of the Special Areas Board, opened the meeting by recognizing long‑time member Neal Roes, who represented Special Areas No. 2 – Subdivision 2 for 12 years. Neal was presented with a plaque of appreciation for his service; Rod Moench was elected for this subdivision in October during the municipal election.
Changes in senior management were also announced, with Jordon Christianson stepping into a new two‑year role as Director of Regional Initiatives. Working in partnership with Alberta Municipal Affairs, this role will provide strategic advice on pressing regional challenges, including healthcare, irrigation, and economic development.
Community Input Guides Council Decisions
A major focus of December’s meeting was listening to residents. Advisory Council reviewed motions raised at annual ratepayer meetings, where people asked for more investment in water infrastructure, including temporary storage, and highlighted challenges in hamlets. Producers also voiced concerns about rising coyote predation and the lack of strychnine for pest control.
Advisory Council heard about the results from the first Resident Satisfaction Survey, conducted in summer 2025. The survey gathered feedback on services, taxes, and quality of life. While the number of responses was modest, the insights provide valuable direction for future planning. Feedback from both ratepayer meetings and the survey helped Advisory Council provide direction that reflected community needs.
Local Healthcare Investments
Local healthcare needs were a key area of discussion. Representatives from medical centers in Hanna, Consort, and Oyen outlined the challenges of delivering services in rural and remote areas. Advisory Council responded by directing funds be made available in the 2026 budget to support recruitment and retention of physicians and healthcare workers in the region. The three medical boards will continue working together to develop regional strategies, with Jordon Christianson’s new role expected to play a key part.
Roads and Transportation
Advisory Council reviewed the proposed 2026 road program, which included more than 26 kilometers of surfacing, 37 kilometers of recrowning, and 24 kilometers of construction. Projects deferred from 2025 will also be completed.
Representatives from Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors (ATEC) joined the meeting to discuss highway maintenance and upcoming projects. Advisory Council pressed ATEC to prioritize paving on Highways 899 and 886 and raised safety concerns about traffic near the Dorothy Elevator, where visitors often stop on the highway to take photos. Suggestions included adding signage and creating a turnout area.
Irrigation and Water Projects
Director of Regional Initiatives, Jordon Christianson, reported on the regional irrigation project with MD of Acadia, Canada Infrastructure Bank, and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. Phase 2 work has been completed, and discussions are now turning to the creation of a municipally controlled corporation to oversee future work. Advisory Council emphasized the importance of involving local producers in the process.
Water infrastructure was an important topic during the meeting. Residents have asked for more investment in water storage and rural waterline expansions. MPE Engineering presented findings from spring 2025 engagement sessions, showing strong support for expansion projects although potential users expressed concerns over costs. Advisory Council directed more consultation, project development, and grant exploration be completed on these projects to support potential waterline expansions in the future.
Waste Transfer Stations and Tax Recovery Land Sale
Representatives from the Big Country Waste Management Commission updated Advisory Council on the state of waste transfer stations, noting significant repair costs and the need for public engagement on any potential changes to service levels.
Advisory Council welcomed Dr. Cassidy Rankine from Planet Labs Geomatics. The group learned about how satellite data could be used to monitor vegetation health across large areas. A pilot project is planned for 2026 for approximately 50,000 acres which will evaluate these tools for things like drought management and rangeland planning.
Trent Caskey, Director of Property Administration, gave an update on the 2023 Tax Recovery Land Sale policy. So far, more than 280 applications have been received. The deadline to apply is July 16, 2026, and leaseholders are encouraged to contact their local district office before then. Advisory Council noted the policy is helping to strengthen and stabilize local farms and ranches, and requested information on the tax recovery sale be shared in 2026 annual ratepayer meetings.
Financial Statements and Budget
Director of Finance & Administration, Darren Jones, presented the 2025 interim financial statements and the proposed 2026 budget. The focus continues to be funding key investments into local priorities, including healthcare, road paving, and water infrastructure. Spending on local healthcare initiatives is planned to increase, with new funding for recruiting and retaining local healthcare workers. The 2026 budget also added supports for hamlet services and cemeteries. Starting in January 2026, fees will increase for camping, water connections, cemetery plots, and development permits. Overall, the financial plan emphasized strategic investments and collaboration with neighboring municipalities to maintain essential community services.
Looking Ahead
The Advisory Council will meet again in spring 2026, while the Special Areas Board continues to meet twice a month.