Bentley Town Council Approves Election Signage on Boulevards, Freezes Arena Rental Rates
The Bentley Town Council convened on September 23, 2025, and addressed several important items impacting the community. Here's a breakdown of the key decisions made:
Election Signage:
In a significant move, the council approved an amendment to Bylaw 448/83, allowing election signage on the boulevards during the period from Nomination Day to Election Day. This decision came after a presentation by CAO Marc Fortais, who outlined existing signage legislation. Councillor Hansen moved the motion to amend the bylaw, which was carried. The amended bylaw stipulates that these election signs must be removed within three days after the election date. The CAO will redraft the amended bylaw and bring it back for consideration of three readings on October 14, 2025.
Arena Rental Rates Frozen:
Recognizing the ongoing financial pressures on residents, the council voted to freeze arena rental rates for the 2025-2026 season at the same rates charged in 2024-2025. This decision means that rates will remain at the 2019 levels, with Bentley Minor Hockey and Bentley Figure Skating continuing to pay $124.02 per hour. The CAO was authorized to implement this freeze. This decision comes as the Bentley Arena is set to reopen on November 15 after completion of the ice slab replacement. "We feel that the fees we continue to charge are reasonable. We have not increased these fees since 2019, encouraging affordable recreation in a top-notch facility that has been upgraded," stated CAO Fortais in the agenda notes.
Franchise Fees Set for 2026:
The council set the electrical distribution system franchise fee percentage for Fortis at 10% and the natural gas distribution system franchise fee percentage for ATCO at 12% for the 2026 year. These fees are collected through utility bills and contribute to the town's revenue, which is used to fund capital projects.
Other Business:
The Council also entered an in-camera session to discuss CAO evaluations.
Financial Matters:
The council received prepaid cheque listings and the council remuneration listing for August as information.
Correspondence:
The council received correspondence from Fortis regarding a new metering program and the Lacombe County Council highlights from September 11, 2025, as information.
The meeting adjourned at 7:24 pm. The next steps include further consideration of the amended signage bylaw and the implementation of the decisions made regarding arena rental rates and franchise fees. Residents can expect to see election signage appearing on boulevards in the lead-up to the election.