The Town of Falher provided a community update through its published March newsletter.
Council has directed administration to begin planning a Community Priorities Plan engagement event, giving residents a direct voice in shaping local policing priorities alongside the RCMP. The event, expected May or June, will allow community members to raise concerns and help guide future policing discussions.
The town announced it secured $185,000 in funding through the Alberta Community Partnership program to support a Northern Regional and Municipal Strategic Alignment and Collaboration Initiative. The project will bring together neighbouring municipalities, including the M.D. of Smoky River, the Village of Donnelly, and the Town of McLennan, to align long-term goals, improve efficiency, and explore shared services. Officials say the funding will help strengthen regional cooperation and ensure sustainable growth across northern Alberta.
Council continues to advocate for changes to Alberta’s Police Funding Model, much like many regional municipalities, raising concerns about increasing costs for small communities. Under the current framework, municipalities under 5,000 residents will see their share of policing costs rise to about 22% starting in 2026–27, eventually climbing to 30%. Combined with rising overall policing expenses, Falher could face annual RCMP costs exceeding $164,000 by 2030.
On a celebratory note, progress continues on the Falher Ball Diamonds Project. Led by the Friends of Falher Baseball Diamond Society, the project is nearing completion with work underway on dugouts, bleachers, and the playing surface. The Town has contributed $9,400 toward the effort. A grand opening is scheduled for June 12.
Keith Hopper, Trending 55
