Despite not hearing back from potential community investment partners Leduc County council is moving ahead with an enhanced school resource officer (SRO) agreement.
County administration requested financial support from the villages of Warburg and Thorsby, the Town of Calmar and the Blackgold Regional Division. At council’s Oct. 25 meeting councillors were informed nothing had been heard back from any of them.
Councillors Audrey Kelto, Tanni Doblanko and Clay Stumph were quick to voice their support for a SRO agreement.
“I really believe the money we spend on this is not only a great asset to the student and the teachers but also to the families it could impact. So I think we’re getting a lot of benefit for the money we would be putting in,” said Kelto.
“It’s unfortunate some of our municipal partners haven’t stepped up, or Blackgold School Division. I think it would bring more benefit to regional school divisions,” said Stumph.
The Provincial Civil Forfeiture Grant was applied for, which would provide between $50,000 and $200,000 for use for a period of up to two years. The county applied for $200,000.
The position would be housed and supervised out of the Thorsby detachment but would be utilized as far east as New Sarepta.
Even without grant funds and contributions from other municipalities the county has reserves to cover the cost of the SRO and taxes will not be affected by the agreement.
Mayor re-appointed
Mayor John Whaley was re-appointed for a term of one year at Leduc County during council’s Oct. 25 organizational.
“I look forward to serving Leduc County for another term as mayor. Leduc County is continuously evolving and I am committed to ensuring our region’s best interests are well-represented at all levels,” said Whaley in a press statement.
This is Whaley’s 10th term as mayor.