Town of Ponoka Council Highlights - March 24, 2026

These Council highlights are intended to provide a brief overview of the most significant decisions made during the Council meeting.

To access more information about the items listed below and to view the full Council meeting agendas, minutes and meeting schedules, please click here.

Regular Meeting of Council:

6.1      Borrowing Bylaw 01-2026 – Wastewater Plant Headworks

Ponoka Town Council has approved the second and third readings of Borrowing Bylaw 01-2026 to partially fund the construction of the first phase of the Wastewater Treatment Facility capital project. 

In September 2025, the Province of Alberta issued the Town of Ponoka a new 10-year operating approval for the Wastewater Treatment Facility under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. The approval establishes new, more stringent provincial effluent treatment requirements to be achieved through phased upgrades beginning in 2026. 

To comply with the new provincial effluent treatment requirements, the Town of Ponoka must undertake three major phases of Wastewater Treatment Facility upgrades:   

• Phase 1 (2026–2027) includes:
  • A new operations building for screening and grit removal;
  • A new lift station;  
  • New tie-ins and replacing existing pipes as required; and
  • Overflow management using repurposed lagoon cells
• Phase 2 (2031) – mechanical treatment upgrades.  
• Phase 3 (2035) – tertiary treatment improvements.

The Wastewater Treatment Facility upgrades will be funded through a combination of grants, reserves and debenture financing, as was approved by Council as part of the 2026 Interim Budget. Bylaw 01-2026 authorizes debenture financing in the amount of $3,877,873, which represents the portion of the project to be funded through long-term borrowing. The debenture financing under Bylaw 01-2026 is well within the Town’s debt limit. 

While the debenture is set at $3,877,873, the Town of Ponoka plans to only draw funds as needed. Following approval of third reading of the bylaw, a 30-day Court of King's Bench waiting period applies before the debenture may be issued.

6.2      Borrowing Bylaw 02-2026 – Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

Council passed the second and third readings of Borrowing Bylaw 02-2026 for the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software System. This organizational software system will support the Town of Ponoka’s daily operations, including financials, utilities, property taxes, payroll and the launch of a new online payment portal. 

The planning, design, acquisition and implementation of the new software system is a multi-year project that will be completed by 2029. The new ERP system will replace the Town of Ponoka’s current financial software system which will no longer be supported by the developer after December 2029.

The bylaw authorizes debenture financing of up to $1.9 million to fund the design, acquisition and implementation of the new ERP system over the next three years. The debenture financing under Bylaw 02-2026 is well within the Town’s debt limit. 

Although the project budget is set at $1.9 million, the Town of Ponoka plans to only draw funds as needed. Following approval of third reading of the bylaw, a 30-day Court of King's Bench waiting period applies before the debenture may be issued.

6.3      CP-21 Travel and Subsistence Reimbursement Amendment

Council approved the CP-21 Travel and Subsistence Reimbursement Policy with an amendment. The purpose of the Travel and Subsistence Reimbursement Policy is to provide a framework for the fair and equitable reimbursement of travel, meals and travel-related expenses.  

7.1      Land Use Bylaw Review

Council approved the Notice of Motion to bring the Land Use Bylaw to the next available Priorities and Initiatives Committee Meeting for review and discussion.

7.2      Sponsorship Request – Ponoka & District Health Foundation

Council approved a bronze sponsorship in the amount of $5,000 to the Ponoka & District Health Foundation for the Helipad project to be funded from Council’s advertising, sponsorships and promotions budget.  

7.3      Central Alberta Parades

Council approved its attendance at the 2026 Central Alberta parades as presented. To view the list of Central Alberta parades, please click here.

10.      Correspondence Items

Mayor Ferguson sent a letter thanking the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, Mike Ellis and the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit for the recent closure of a property in Ponoka. In the letter, Mayor Ferguson also addressed the issue of prolific offenders. 

12.      Notice of Motion

Councillor Cal David submitted a Notice of Motion to direct Town administration to explore the creation of a Municipal Grant/Sponsorship/Donation Funding Allocation and Management Policy.

Next Regular Council Meeting: Tuesday, April 14 at 6 p.m.

• The public is welcome to attend all Council meetings. Meetings are held in Town Council Chambers on the third floor of the Ponoka Civic Centre (5604 50 Street).