Thalia Hibbs, newly elected mayor for the City of Lacombe. (City of Lacombe)

By City of Lacombe

New Term Underway

Lacombe council highlights

Nov 12, 2025 | 3:33 PM

Oaths of Office

The City of Lacombe’s newly elected council took their Oaths of Office during the Nov. 3 Organizational Meeting.

Mayor Thalia Hibbs and Councillors Sonja Dykslag, Chris Contenti, Torie Goings, Matt Span, Kim Proud, and Justin de Bresser were officially sworn in.

The ceremony marks the beginning of council’s new term.

2026 Budget Review

Five priorities

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10h ago

Volunteer positions

Town of Ponoka invites citizens to apply for roles on Municipal Policing Committee

11h ago

Last seen on March 20

Missing: Jennifer Thom, 15 of Ponoka

12h ago

Council reviewed drafts of the 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets, as well as the 10-Year Capital Plan, during meetings from Nov. 5 to 7. City officials say final budget approvals will be made later in 2025, following a further review.

The draft Operating Budget proposes a 2.3 per cent municipal tax rate increase, along with an additional 1 per cent dedicated to the Special Paving Tax to maintain and renew Lacombe’s road network. The proposed 2026 Capital Budget outlines $13.35 million in projects, including a new fire station, replacement of a fire ladder truck, the Pumphouse D project, and demolition of the former Public Works Shop. The 10-Year Capital Plan identifies $119.4 million in long-term projects, including a new seniors’ lodge, a replacement for City Hall, a regional recreation facility, and the ongoing Roads Renewal Program.

Natural Gas Distribution Franchise Agreement

Council approved a new 10-year Natural Gas Franchise Agreement with ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd., continuing a partnership that has served the community since 1947. According to City officials, the renewed agreement grants ATCO exclusive rights to provide natural gas services and updates agreement terms, including new start and end dates, contact information, and a proposed franchise fee increase from 29.25 per cent to 31 per cent in 2026. The 31 per cent rate aligns with the median franchise fee rate among Lacombe’s comparator municipalities and continues to generate over $1 million annually to help offset general taxation.

City Council Organizational Meeting Highlights

Members of Council officially took their Oath of Office for the 2025–2026 term. Council approved the 2025–2026 Council Meeting Schedule. A new deputy mayor rotation schedule was adopted for the upcoming term.

Councillors were appointed to serve on various city commissions, boards, and committees. Updated Council seating arrangements were established for the Council Chambers.

Keep in Mind: Council Procedure Bylaw Amendment Amendments to Procedural Bylaw 370 update references to provincial legislation, replacing the Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act (FOIP) with the Access to Information Act (ATIA) and the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA). The amendments clarify expectations for council members on decorum, confidentiality, communication, and decision-making, aligning with changes from the repeal of the Council Code of Conduct Bylaw under Bill 50.

Updates also prevent council from serving as public members on City Commissions, Boards, or Committees, and ensure that public members do not represent the Council, thereby reducing potential conflicts of interest.