The County of Stettler council has voted to scale back its financial commitment to the Stettler Town & Country Museum.
The decision follows an in-camera session during the May 27 meeting, where officials debated items from a recent joint council meeting with the Town of Stettler.
Council voted unanimously to reject a request to increase the county’s annual museum funding from $32,000 to match the town’s 2026 contribution of $36,000.
Instead, council approved a motion to extend the one-third, two-thirds funding model from the regional recreation agreement to the local museum.
The policy shift will reduce the county’s contribution to $24,000 starting in 2027 or 35% of the municipal contribution, assuming the town’s funding portion remains the same next year.
During previous funding discussions, council noted the county already provides financial support to the museums in Big Valley and Donalda, while the town is only responsible for the Stettler location.
County officials also highlighted a $180,000 interest-free loan granted in 2022 to help the Stettler museum purchase the land adjacent to the county administration building.
Administration estimates that loan represents a benefit of nearly $57,000 in waived interest charges.
Despite the funding reduction, council approved a request from the museum asking county councillors to volunteer at its Heritage Expo pancake breakfast on Aug. 3.
County Withdraws From Stettler Airport Committee
In a separate motion, the council voted unanimously to withdraw from the Stettler Airport Committee.
The county will no longer send representatives to the airport board and has requested that all future correspondence regarding the airport be directed to the county’s CAO.
The County of Stettler will also transfer all airport taxes it collects directly to the Town of Stettler.
The closed-door discussions also touched on municipal revenues, resulting in a third motion directing county administration to share data regarding unpaid oil and gas taxes with the town.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
