Vermilion Council Tackles Finances, Cemetery Fees And CN Station Request

Vermilion Town Council dealt with a full agenda during its regular meeting on Aug. 18, with discussions ranging from the Town’s financial position and cemetery fees to property tax penalties and the future of the Vermilion CN Station.

One of the larger financial items before council came through the Town’s 2026 Second Quarter Financial Report.

Council received the report for information but did not approve a proposal to distribute a negative balance of $2,953,893.06 in the Subdivision Reserve among the Town’s remaining eligible reserves.

Instead, council decided the nearly $3-million negative balance will remain in the Subdivision Reserve and be replenished through future budgets or at a later date through a council resolution.

Council also received the results of the Town’s 2027 Budget Survey.

The survey was circulated in July to give residents an opportunity to provide input ahead of future budget discussions. The information gathered will now help guide council as it begins looking at future budget decisions and priorities.

Another item generating local interest was a request involving the newly established Vermilion CN Station Preservation Society.

The non-profit organization was formed to support the preservation and long-term future of the historic CN Station located in Vermilion Provincial Park.

Council was asked to appoint a representative to the new organization but chose not to do so at this time. Instead, administration was directed to bring the request back once the Society has been formally registered with the Province.

With council’s Organizational Meeting coming up in October, the request is expected to be revisited at that time.

Council also approved new interim cemetery fees and charges following a review by administration.

According to the Town, the existing cemetery fee schedule had not undergone a comprehensive review in several years and no longer fully reflected the costs associated with operating and maintaining the cemeteries and providing perpetual care.

The interim rates are intended to bring fees more in line with current costs while supporting the long-term sustainability of the service.

Council also approved the Town’s buyback of four plots in the Vermilion Public Cemetery. A $270 refund will be issued, representing 50 per cent of the current land acquisition fee for the four plots, as permitted under the Town’s Cemetery Bylaw.

Property tax penalties also came before council, with requests made for penalties to be cancelled on several properties.

Council ultimately voted to uphold the penalties on five affected tax rolls.

Under Town of Vermilion Bylaw No. 2-97, a 12 per cent penalty is applied to taxes remaining unpaid after July 15, or 30 days after the tax notice is mailed, whichever period is longer.

Council also heard from Madison Black, Emergency Management Coordinator with the City of Lloydminster, regarding the re-signing of the Borderlands Mutual Aid Agreement.

The agreement allows emergency response partners in Alberta and Saskatchewan to quickly share and deploy resources during emergencies without unnecessary administrative delays, helping neighbouring municipalities work together when additional assistance is required.

In other business, council approved amendments to its Signing Authority Policy, including adding the Finance Manager as an authorized financial signatory and updating requirements surrounding investments and land sale agreements.

Mayor Robert Snow was also appointed as the Town’s representative to the Northeast Alberta Information HUB Committee, replacing Councillor Bruce MacDuff. Snow was recently appointed chair of the regional committee.

Council approved updated Terms of Reference for the Parks, Recreation, Culture and Environment Committee and gave first reading to a bylaw that would repeal several older bylaws governing the committee.

The move is part of a broader effort to transition committees with council representation from a bylaw-based structure to Terms of Reference, which can be updated more easily as committee responsibilities and membership change.

The August 18, ‘Highlights of Council’ remain an informational summary, with the official meeting minutes to be presented for approval at the next regular meeting of council.