Newly-appointed Lacombe County Mayor Barb Shepherd (right) and Deputy Reeve John Ireland (left) took the oath of office this week. (Lacombe County)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

change at the top

Lacombe County swears in first new reeve in eight years

Oct 30, 2021 | 12:09 PM

Barb Shepherd, councillor for Division 3, has been appointed reeve of Lacombe County.

Unlike other municipalities which elect a mayor, Lacombe County is one of a number which only elects councillors, then appoint a reeve, which acts in a similar capacity to a mayor. The term is for one-year.

“I want to thank my fellow councillors for appointing me as Lacombe County reeve. There are many changes to our council following the election, and I’m looking forward to working with both new and familiar faces to lead Lacombe County forward,” said Reeve Shepherd.

“The previous council left us with a strong foundation to build on as we tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead of us.”

Shepherd joined Lacombe County council in 2013. She has since represented the County on several boards and committees, including:

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-Lacombe Regional Waste Services Commission Board
-Blackfalds Recreation and Parks Board
-ALUS Community Advisory Panel
-Red Deer/Lacombe Rural Crime Watch
-Ellis Bird Farm Board

Shepherd takes over the reeve’s chair from Paula Law, who held the role for eight straight years. Law did not run in the recent municipal election.

Division 1 Councillor John Ireland was appointed as deputy reeve for a two-year term.

Ireland has been council since 2017, and has represented the County on the following groups (among others):

-Highway 12/21 Water Commission
-Red Deer River Municipal Users Group
-Lacombe Regional Waste Services Commission
-Lacombe County Agricultural Service Board

Both Ireland and Shepherd were acclaimed in their respective divisions for the 2021 municipal election.