BOYLE — As a new calendar year approaches, municipal councillors are preparing for a new fiscal one, and along with budget priorities and strategic plan additions, organizational meetings are on every council’s to-do list.
Boyle councillors marked their org meeting as complete Oct. 16 after making minor amendments to the council committee list and upholding the status quo for the mayor’s seat for the eighth consecutive year.
Colin Derko was the only councillor to have his name put forward for mayor, an appointment he was happy to accept.
“I’m honoured and definitely humbled to be able to do it again,” said Derko in an Oct. 24 follow-up. “I thank my colleagues for their trust in me and I look forward to another year of sitting in the chair and trying to keep things going, moving forward for us.”
Coun. Shelby Kiteley was the sole nominee for deputy mayor, marking this her second appointment to the role in this term, which is set to end with an election next October.
“I am both honoured and proud to be deputy mayor again,” said Kiteley in an Oct. 24 email. “I will continue to out my best foot forward for our council when and where it’s needed most. However, any of my councillors would have done a great job, no doubt.”
Within the next 12 months, Derko said in addition to the obvious priorities — keeping taxes low and ensuring fiscal responsibility — his primary focus will be on restoring healthcare in the village and setting their successors up for success.
“Healthcare is a big thing in Boyle right now,” said Derko. “I want to make sure we keep moving towards a big finish, and making sure our hospital is vibrant and thriving … making sure that our citizens have the proper and first-class healthcare they deserve.”
Also a priority for the returning mayor is the continuation of regional unity on regional issues, and ensuring the village’s own guiding policies and procedures allow the next councillors to continue ongoing advocacy and projects.
For Kiteley, working collaboratively with fellow councillors and the perspectives they bring to the chambers is a process she’s enjoyed in her time on council and as deputy mayor, and hopes to continue those efforts, along with garnering tangible results from their ongoing advocacy.
“We have done, and continue to do, a lot of work on health care issues, development incentives, and building connections and relationships across Alberta. We put in a lot of time and focus on what matters to our community.
“While nothing moves fast in politics, I have a positive outlook for our future in the Village of Boyle,” she added.
Committee changes
Administration suggested two additions to the council committee list, the first being the Northeast Alberta Alliance for Growth and Opportunities —a coalition of mayors, reeves and Indigenous leaders — and the second being an intermunicipal committee, which would replace the joint recreation committee with Athabasca County.
Coun. Barb Smith suggested altering the appointments to the Chamber of Commerce board, noting regular councillor appearances can be a distraction from chamber-specific conversations.
“I don’t want to stop their good work; they’ve got good work that they’re doing, and I just feel like maybe we hinder it,” said Smith. “I want to support them to do what they need to do.”
After deliberating, councillors opted to move from two appointed board members to appearing as a delegation to chamber meetings upon request. The changes to the committee list were approved with a unanimous vote.
