Council Debrief — When a Question Enters the Conversation

Wednesday’s Diamond Valley Council meeting covered everything from parks and utility franchise fees to Dark Sky planning and next year’s parade.

But one of the things I found most interesting wasn’t necessarily a decision.

It was watching an idea enter the conversation.

A Question About How We Manage Our Parks

Before each Council meeting, residents have an opportunity to submit questions during Question Period.

This week, I asked about the Town’s proposed Parks and Open Space Mowing Policy.

My question was essentially whether the Town would consider deliberately naturalizing suitable areas rather than treating all municipal green space in the same way.

Naturalized areas can reduce mowing, conserve moisture, provide habitat and create opportunities for pollinators and native vegetation.

The response was encouraging.

Administration indicated that Parks will continue looking for suitable areas where naturalization may make sense, while recognizing that communication and public education will be important.

But what happened later in the meeting was even more interesting.

When Council reached the mowing policy itself, the Question Period discussion came back.

One councilor suggested that, in light of my question, a naturalized component might eventually need to be incorporated into the policy.

Then Councilor Gordon raised another subject I’ve been interested in for some time: mowing height.

He asked whether mower decks could be kept higher—around three inches.

Administration explained that mowing heights are already adjusted according to conditions. As the season becomes drier, decks are raised because longer grass retains moisture better, stays greener longer and can reduce the frequency of mowing.

By the end of the discussion, naturalization had been raised several times, including the possibility of adding it as the policy develops.

And then came a comment I particularly appreciated:

“We hear you, Dusty.”

Council unanimously approved the mowing policy. But it also appears that the conversation about how we manage our green spaces isn’t finished.

That’s worth noticing.

Franchise Fees — A Tax by Another Name?

Council also spent considerable time discussing the franchise fees charged through our natural gas and electricity bills.

Diamond Valley’s existing franchise fees are 15% for ATCO and 10% for Fortis. Council ultimately directed Administration to begin the process of increasing those rates to 25% for ATCO and 15% for Fortis for 2027.

Franchise fees are collected through utility bills and returned to the municipality as revenue.

What I appreciated about Council’s discussion was its openness about what that means.

Councilors acknowledged that, however the charge appears on a bill, it effectively represents another way of collecting municipal revenue.

The important question, therefore, isn’t simply whether the percentage goes up.

It’s:

What happens to the additional money?

Administration’s report identifies two possibilities. The additional revenue could help offset the property-tax rate, or some or all of it could be placed into reserves to help pay future capital costs. Exactly how the revenue is used will be determined during the 2027 budget discussions.

Residents should watch that discussion.

If we’re going to collect more municipal revenue through utility bills, it should be easy to see where that additional revenue ultimately goes.

Dark Sky Moves Into the Land Use Conversation

Another item received less discussion but could have longer-term significance.

Council agreed to formally participate in the Dark Sky Stakeholders Working Group.

Dark Sky principles are already part of Diamond Valley’s Municipal Development Plan, and Administration specifically noted that the working group’s expertise could be useful while the Town develops its new Land Use Bylaw.

This is about more than seeing stars.

Thoughtful exterior-lighting standards can reduce unnecessary light spill, protect the nighttime environment and help ensure that we put light where we need it rather than everywhere around it.

The timing is particularly useful.

As we’ve discussed throughout the Land Use Bylaw series, this is precisely when these ideas should enter the conversation—while the rules are being written, not after development has occurred.

What Does a Community Event Really Cost?

Council’s discussion of the 2027 Diamond Valley Parade and Festival was also revealing.

The 2026 event had a budgeted net municipal cost of $33,200. Although expenses were higher than anticipated, revenues were also stronger, resulting in a reported net municipal cost of $31,606.40 — about $1,594 below budget. The staff report cautions that the comparison isn’t quite that simple because the contracted service wasn’t originally in the budget and planned staff wages aren’t included in the actual figures.

For 2027, Council unanimously approved contracting Emerald Services again, with a $6,300 revenue line and $69,500 expense line to be included in the operating budget.

Much of Council’s subsequent conversation centred on sponsorship.

Councilors wanted greater effort made to approach resource companies and other businesses, and they also wanted information brought back showing who was contacted and what resulted.

That last part caught my attention.

If we’re going to try something differently, we should also measure whether it worked.

The parade is clearly important to our community. The discussion wasn’t really about whether we should celebrate together—it was about how we deliver that celebration responsibly and how much of its cost should fall on taxpayers.

That’s a conversation worth continuing.

Link

Council Debrief Series https://www.sustainablelife.biz/category/council-debrief-series/

Civic Tool Series https://www.sustainablelife.biz/category/civic-tool-series/

Sometimes Participation Is Simply Getting an Idea Into the Room

There wasn’t a motion Wednesday directing the Town to naturalize parks.

There wasn’t a new three-inch mowing standard.

But something did happen.

A resident asked a question.

Administration responded.

Councilors picked the idea up later when they considered the actual policy.

And naturalization is now part of the conversation about where that policy may go next.

That’s a small example of why I’ve been writing the Civic Tools Series.

Public participation doesn’t always mean standing at a microphone demanding that Council do something.

Sometimes it means reading an agenda, noticing something, asking a respectful question—and giving the people making the decision something else to consider.

A good question doesn’t have to win an argument.

Sometimes it just needs to change the conversation.