Pincher Creek town council approved a new child-care lease, set budget guidelines for the coming years and prepared for two fall conferences at its July 27 meeting.

Child-care lease approved after revision

Council unanimously approved a revised lease with KP Squared Innovative Child Care, which will take over operations at two town-owned child-care facilities providing services for local families.

The lease covers the Canyon Creek Early Learning Centre and the Sage Early Learning Centre. KP Squared will continue under the existing lease until the new agreement takes effect. The start date was moved from July 1 to Sept. 1.

Council first reviewed a draft at its June 22 meeting, where members raised concerns about several clauses, including a $500 late-payment charge and insurance requirements, and questioned who would be responsible for major building repairs.

Mayor Wayne Oliver asked whether some insurance provisions, including automobile liability and business-interruption coverage, went beyond standard municipal leasing practice. Administration was directed to amend the draft.

The updated lease removes the late-payment charge and additional rent provisions that could have required the tenant to cover taxes, insurance, utilities and other expenses. It also replaces a clause requiring $5 million in tenant insurance coverage with a requirement that KP Squared provide proof of contents-and liability coverage.

A new clause confirms KP Squared is a not-for-profit entity exempt from property taxes. The revised agreement also makes the town, as landlord, responsible for major structural repairs, such as foundation, roof, exterior walls and mechanical systems such as HVAC, plumbing and electrical.

KP Squared will not be responsible for deferred maintenance or pre-existing conditions, with a building condition report serving as the baseline for future assessments.

Budget guidelines set for 2027 and 2028

Council approved guidelines to help administration prepare an incremental two-year operating budget for 2027 and 2028, with property tax and utility rate increases each capped at three per cent per year. It also called for a review process to account for external changes before 2028.

The guidelines include preparing a capital budget with proposed funding sources and recommended changes to the town’s fees-and-charges bylaw. Changes would be based on market comparisons, cost of service and community benefit.

Council also approved developing an additional three-year capital plan and two-year operating plan for the years beyond 2028, again with property tax and utility rate increases capped at three per cent annually.

In other business

The July 27 meeting was the first to include written council reports in the agenda package.

Council unanimously supported Coun. Valerie Wynder attending the Family and Community Support Services conference in Edmonton from Nov. 25 to 27. Oliver said the conference falls outside the normal council pay structure and suggested council formally support her participation.

CAO Konrad Dunbar presented a new motion tracker that will replace the previous spreadsheet system, sorting council motions into completed, in-progress and not-started categories. Completed items will be removed from future lists once council has reviewed them, keeping the focus on current work. The system is currently in draft form.

Couns. Gordon McMullen, Bernice Cyr, Wynder and Mark Barber confirmed they will attend the Alberta Municipalities convention and trade show in Edmonton, Sept. 23 to 25.