Richard Froese
South Peace News
Oil and gas companies that want to construct temporary road approaches on Big Lakes County road allowances to wellsites will now be required to pay a security deposit.
At its regular meeting March 26, council gave second and final readings to amend the schedule of fees bylaw that imposes a $4,800 security deposit.
Council approved a motion at its regular meeting Feb. 26 to update the public works policy on approaches and add a security deposit.
The former policy states the company making the original request shall be responsible for removing the approach once the wellsite is no longer active and carry out all clean-up, said Ben Letemplier, director of public works.
“The addition of a security deposit will encourage companies to remove the approach according to the policy,” Letemplier said.
“This encourages companies to remove the temporary approaches from county road allowances rather than abandoning them.
“If a company abandons the approach in place, the security deposit is held for future repair or removal costs performed by the County.”
The estimated life cycle of a culvert is 10 years, Letemplier told council.
Other fees were added or increased.
Fees for neutered male cats increases to $135 from $125.
Fees for spayed female cats increases to $225 from $150.
“The fees went up because of increased veterinarian fees for cat spay and neuter costs,” said Joe Zdeb, director of corporate services.
An annual fee of $50 has been added for a pilot locker at the High Prairie Airport.
Revenue will add a contingency to ensure payments, Zdeb said.
Council deleted fees of $500 for subdivisions with water/sewer systems and $300 for subdivisions with water systems.
“The County does not have an off-site levy bylaw according to the Municipal Government Act,” Zdeb noted.
“A legal opinion was obtained and the County was informed that to continue to impose off-site levies, the County will require an off-site levy bylaw.”
A fee of $200 for County water line and water co-op users for people who rent residential units was removed.
“The County no longer allows rental customers for water/wastewater,” Zdeb noted.