Sylvan Lake council briefs: Census to come, revamped major intersection, and transportation upgrades

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Construction is slated to run from April to November 2024.

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It will also make way for a future project, likely several years down the road, which would see the twinning of both Highway 20 and Memorial Trail.

More details on the current project are on the Town’s website.

TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT PROGRAM UPDATES

Council has taken steps to expand the Town’s Transportation Support Program.

In place since February 2021, the program is now available to people with a wider range of needs.

That includes chronic mental, cognitive, and/or physical challenges, houselessness, social isolation, underemployed, ineligible for employment insurance benefits, or other conditions as disclosed to the intake worker.

As well, the sliding scale will be removed, and it will be open to those with a household taxable income less than $40,000. It will also now utilize a taxi voucher system, and include legal appointments in Red Deer as an acceptable reason for a trip.

We are continuously looking at our programs and services to see how we can improve service levels,” a Town spokesperson says.

“Some registrants appreciate the security of the program but have never used it. By moving to a voucher system, funds won’t be tied up and will be available to be used by other participants. A few registrants had a difficult time tracking their usage and have exceeded their monthly limit. The voucher system will eliminate the possibility of this occurring.”

There is no impact on the municipal budget due to these council decisions.

A NEW LAKER COUNT

Meantime, the Town will conduct a municipal census this year, and for the first time since 2015.

At that time, it was found that the population was 14,310, and the census itself cost around $40,000 to administer.

There was a federal census done in both 2016 and 2021, with populations of 15,302 and then 15,995, respectively.

The historical growth rate between 2016 and 2021 was eight per cent, which equates to approximately 1.5 per cent annually, the Town notes.

It’s estimated this year’s census will cost the Town around $60,000.

Though a federal census is scheduled for 2026, a municipal census can allow for the Town to better plan community services, and if there is enough growth, it may qualify for additional provincial or federal funding.

More details are expected to be released by the Town soon.

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