WESTLOCK – Looking back on his first 12 months heading Westlock County that’s included a massive overhaul of the municipality’s policies and bylaws, along with the ongoing $1.4-million upgrade to Highway 44 in front of the industrial park, CAO Tony Kulbisky admits that it hasn’t been “without its challenges” but says there’s “light at the end of the tunnel.”
At the Aug. 15 county council meeting, Kulbisky provided an overview of some of the work that’s occurred since his official Aug. 4, 2022, start date that kicked off his five-year, $190,000 per year contract to head the municipality. In a follow-up interview Aug. 16, Kulbisky said it was no secret that when he took the job, he knew there was “going to be some heavy lifting for the first part” but says the municipality is on the right track and gave kudos to council, as well as staff, for work they’ve done. The CAO position at Westlock County has been a carousel since the turn of the century with Kulbisky being the eighth permanent CAO — preceding him are Wyatt Glebe, Jim Squire, Edward LeBlanc, Peter Kelly, Duane Coleman, Leo Ludwig and Kay Spiess, who resigned March 7, 2022, after less than a year at the helm.
“It’s not been without its challenges, but we’ve been able to work through them and get things cleared up and cleaned up,” said Kulbisky the day after the meeting. “I do know there’s light at the end of the tunnel, so it’s not all grey clouds and we can actually see some sunlight peeking through … that’s the part I’m looking forward to.”
Kulbisky’s report notes that over the past year, 132 policies have been reviewed, leaving only 25 to complete a full appraisal, while 14 bylaws were reviewed either as new, amended or repealed, a process he called “a huge undertaking.” As well, there’s been an internal restructuring of administrative departments along with office moves so staff are in closer to one another — the new departments include legislative and protective services, planning and community development, corporate services and transportation and infrastructure.
“The whole point is that we’re trying to do all the groundwork so we don’t have to revisit it again going forward and we can follow policy direction and get going in the direction we’re supposed to be,” he said on the policy review. “It’s about doing the heavy lifting on the front end that will allow for future planning and future growth.”
Other highlights include the Highway 44 Intersection improvement project with the province, passage of the 2023 capital and operating budgets to bring the county back into compliance with the Municipal Government Act, the new AV system in council chambers, along with four “very successful open houses” in Busby, Vimy, Tawatinaw and Jarvie and the completion of council’s strategic plan. The report goes on to note that following market-value assessments on county-owned lots at the recently renamed county-owned North Sky Business Park, one sold while three others are in “current negotiation.” The county’s successful joint application with the Town of Westlock for infrastructure funding at the Westlock Municipal Airport was also highlighted, along with a note that an application to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund for a small-scale wastewater feasibility/design at the business park has advanced to the board level for approval.
Reeve Christine Wiese, along with the rest of council, congratulated Kulbisky on his anniversary, while Coun. Sherri Provencal also thanked him and the staff for their hard work saying she appreciated “his guidance.”
“I know we’re feeling that over the last year we’ve really gained some traction to get going on a lot of these things,” said Wiese. “With you moving into the community, I’ve heard it from multiple people, that they appreciate you’re showing up things like the Blue Suede to volunteer, as well as other functions and just your volunteering. It’s been a great year and let’s see what the next 12 months hold.”
“To our CAO, thank you. The last 12 months have been awesome. I don’t think there’s another way to describe it,” said Fox-Robinson. “The professionalism you’ve brought to the table, the experience … you’ve made significant improvements that are going to help the county for many, many years after our term here. And here’s to what, another nine years?”
