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BDSS keeps funding request at 2019 level

Organization hoping to win bid for regional family services
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BDSS will look to use the same level of funding from the town to continue its operations, but it is also hopeful its application to be the new regional service provider of family services will be approved by the province. Photo by Jordie Dwyer

Just like every organization in town, Bashaw and District Support Services (BDSS) knows the economy is tough and municipalities are having to find ways to keep services as funding levels drop.

Which is why BDSS executive director Christine Buelow was in front of council on Jan. 16 to request their share of the town’s Family and Community Support Services funding it receives from the province.

“We are very aware of what we are offering and we are not asking for anything in addition to what we received last year. We understand that dollars are tight,” she said.

Buelow added that BDSS had the opportunity to secure some additional funding, which would help alleviate some of the pressure on the town.

While the budget for its normal operations remains the same as in 2019, there are a few changes proposed for 2020 that may see BDSS expand its scope of available programs.

Buelow explained that BDSS has submitted a proposal to the province to be this area’s service provider for the Regional Family Resource Network — the program that is set to replace Parent Link.

“It’s something (BDSS) was already naturally doing and has gotten bigger for us over the past few years,” she said.

“Now our service area is not just Bashaw, but nearing what the local RCMP detachment covers.”

She added, in putting together the application, the statistics showed 80 per cent of those serviced through provincial funding are urban residents.

“You can see how it was very clear that, while the rural population was technically being served, they were not getting the service,” Buelow said, noting the submission deadline was Jan. 20 and successful bids must be ready to start on April 1.

“That’s not scary for us, as we are proposing to have what we are already doing, but having some satellite or outreach site to better serve Alix and Donalda is what we will work on.”

BDSS has also applied to be the area coordinator for the province’s revamped regional nutrition program that will be run through the schools.

Water

Council was going to discuss the state of the current bylaw on water services and its operation, but decided the topic was much larger than could be handled during a regular meeting. So, council will hold a special meeting to talk about all of the water issues on a date yet to be determined.

Fuller mentioned the bylaw needs to be updated and that it is anticipated there will be significant time needed to focus and talk about all of the topics, which include consumption, water meters and figuring out plans on how it should all be paid for.

Charity concert

Council approved becoming a partner in the upcoming Gord Bamford Rednek Tour community concert on May 1.

The event was suggested by Bamford, who lives nearby in Pelican Point, as a way to give back to Bashaw. Proceeds from the concert will be split between a number of local non-profit groups and the Gord Bamford Foundation.

As a partner, the town will provide the arena for the concert as well as some time for staff to assist the local steer committee with planning and hosting.

Bus support

A motion was passed to issue a letter of support for the continuation of the Camrose Connector bus service that operates daily between the city and Edmonton.

The request came as Camrose looks to have the province extend funding for the pilot project beyond the two-year commitment made by the previous NDP government for service following the demise of Greyhound.

If the province eliminates the project, the service will come to an end in August.