Our Home.
Our Future.
My Commitment.

It has been an honor to serve our community as a councillor for the Village of Boyle over the last 8 years. During this time, I have worked hard to listen, learn, and bring your voices to the council table. Together, we've overcome obstacles and taken meaningful steps to move Boyle forward. I am grateful for the chance to continue building on that momentum and achieving the future Boyle deserves.

My commitment remains simple: to continue to be a strong advocate for our great community while serving with honesty, fairness, and dedication. I will continue to ask the tough questions that our residents want answers to, because I want them too. With your continued support, I look forward to building on the foundation we've created.

Our Home. Our Future. My Commitment.

On October 20th, vote for Barbara Smith!

att.BzsJC1tYu5Lm9Iu0k75gVySyeywYIQ7lAFgplmrbWWE.JPG

What We Achieved Together This Term

Over the past 4 years on council, we have worked hard to listen to residents, make thoughtful decisions, and move Boyle forward. These accomplishments reflect the dedication of many people: Council, Village Administration and Public Works staff, and community members who worked together with a shared goal of keeping our village strong and welcoming. I am proud to have played my part on this team and share in the accomplishments over this term. While this isn't the full list, these highlights show how much progress we made as a team and is the foundation we are building on for the future.

Strong Governance and Administration Achievements

Along side council's work on the issues of the day, we supported important administrative improvements that make our village run smoothly. This includes:

Establishing, reviewing and updating over 50 policies and bylaws to reflect current needs
Streamlining processes so services are delivered more efficiently
Enhancing communication between the village office and residents.

Most notably, major work was done to update Boyle's Land Use Bylaw, Municipal Development Plan and the Tax Incentives Bylaw. Through this we:

Set forward a long term vision for the village and its growth in residential, commercial and industrial areas
Increased the housing and land use options available, while streamlining approval processes for development
Created attractive incentives for new business to open while also providing support for established businesses to grow

Administrative work may not always be visible day-to-day to the public but it makes a real difference in ensuring that our community is well supported behind the scenes.

Other Administrative highlights:

Successful sale of the Village owned Gas Utility
Established annual strategic planning sessions with council for long and short term planning and budgeting
Alertable Public Notification System
Developing asset management plans and updating replacement forecasts
Increased training for staff including ICS emergency management

Infrastructure and Projects

We supported many important upgrades to municipal infrastructure including road and facility maintenance projects and creating annual maintenance plans. Highlights include:

Road patch paving and microsurfacing
Sidewalk, fire hydrant renewals
Highway Welcome Signage
Fencing and Gates at various sites
Firehall Improvements: radios, fencing, apron mud jacking, heaters
Public Works yard expansion

Recreation & Community Spaces

Recreation is at the heart of a community. We've invested in spaces and programs that bring residents together, support healthy living and provide safe, welcoming places for children, families and seniors to connect. Highlights include:

Arena upgrades: Realice system, arena liner, streaming camera, mezzanine flooring and ceilings, kitchen upgrades
Ball diamond renewals
Splash park upgrades: surface renewal, playground washroom upgrades
Community Centre upgrades: dance floor refurbishment, ceiling upgrade, LED lighting
Pickleball net purchases, line renewal on courts
Provided additional funding to provide free library memberships
Took over maintenance of the Fitness Centre/Youth Centre Building

Equipment Purchases

Council has made careful investments in new equipment to ensure that essential services like snow clearing, roadwork, and maintenance are done efficiently. We are open to new ideas and new ways to do the job to increase the level of service residents should expect. These purchases help us keep Boyle running smoothly while planning for long term reliability. Highlights include:

Steamer
Wildland Fire Truck Outfitting
Truck Sander
Wille Utility Tractor and Attachments (replaces grader, loader, manlift, street sweeper and adds snowblower)
Gravel Truck and Box
Utility Trailer
Kubota Lawnmowers and attachments

Responsible Budgeting and Grants

Council worked to balance annual budgets carefully, keeping taxes fair and as level as possible while ensuring essential services and future projects are well funded. Each item proposed in the budget was evaluated on need and impact to residents while being mindful of the income received through provincial grants and Village taxes. This allows us to meet todays needs without placing undue burden on tomorrow.

Some of the grants we were successful in receiving are highlight below:

Recreational Energy Conservation Program through MCCAC for the Realice System $27,473.25
Community Energy Conservation Grant through MCCAC for the Arena Liner $18750.00
Municipal Asset Management Program through FCM for Asset Management training/database set up $46,500.00
Intermunicipal Collaboration Grant through ACP for the Water Commission Asset and Operation Review $200,000
Intermunicipal Collaboration Grant through ACP for Regional Housing Needs Assessment $44,200

Agreements

Notable Agreements:

Emergency Response MOA with Athabasca County and Athabasca
Healthcare Retention and attraction with Athabasca County and Athabasca
Healthcare Professional Locum Housing Funding Agreement with Athabasca County
Community Peace Officer Services Agreement with Athabasca County
Community Transportation Funding Agreement with Athabasca County
FCSS Funding Agreement with Athabasca County
Recreation Funding Agreement with Athabasca County
Portage College MOA
Fitness Centre Lease
Youth Centre Lease
Assessment Review Board MOA
Gigair Service Agreement
IT Services Agreement
Power Purchasing Agreement

Planning For The Future

Planning is already underway for future projects that will further improve Boyle's infrastructure, community spaces and growth potential. By strategically looking ahead, council is working to ensure our village continues to grow in a strong sustainable way. Some future initiatives we are pursuing are:

Upgrades to the Water Treatment Plant: fire pump, electrical upgrades, GenSet
Lift Station Upgrade: Gen Set, Pumps
Multi Year Road Micro Surfacing Plan
Hospital Helipad
Airport Lands Acquisition
Lagoon Upgrades

Serving Our Community

From Boardroom to Volunteering

I have taken on a broad portfolio of boards and committees both through council as well as a member of the public. The experience of such a variety of boards and committees is invaluable as I continue to learn and grow and advocate for Boyle. Staying up to date on these groups is important to have informed discussions around the council table. It provides first hand knowledge of local concerns and successes and it creates the opportunity to weigh the benefits for the Village and its residents when it comes to funding during budget deliberations. By stepping up into various executive roles and subcommittees I make sure a small rural community like Boyle has a voice in influencing change locally, regionally and provincially.

Boards, Committees and Volunteering

Current Appointments:

Athabasca County FCSS - 7 years
- Current Chair
Boyle Library Board - 8 years
- former Chair and Treasurer
Northern Lights Library System - 8 years
- Current Member at Large Executive member (6 years)
- Advocacy Committee, Grievance Committee, Policy Committee (Chair), HR Committee, Plan of Service Committee
Community Futures Tawatinaw - 8 years
- Vice Chair (8 years)
- Policy Committee, HR Committee, IRC (loan evaluation) Committee
Intermunicipal Committee (Athabasca County and Village) - 1 year

Current Alternate Positions and Village Specific Committees:

Athabasca Regional Water Services Commission
- Alternate - 8 years
Athabasca Regional Waste Management Commission
- Alternate 3 years
Community Transportation Committee
- Alternate 4 years
Regional Emergency Management
- Alternate 1 year
Municipal Planning Commission
Village Public Works
Village Policy
Village Budget
Lobby Committee
Disaster Services

Previous Appointments:

Joint Healthcare Recruitment and Retention Committee
Subdivision and Development Appeal Board
Tourism and Economic Development Committee
Athabasca Regional Economic Development Committee
Boyle Betterment Committee
Boyle Chamber
Boyle Youth Centre
Boyle Fitness Centre

Volunteering:

Boyle Youth Centre Board
Alberta Library Trustees Assoc Regional Rep
Grad Class Committee
Parent Advisory Council
Village Clean Up
Fundraisers: raffles, cookbook, raffle baskets
Pancake Breakfasts

Mentoring new council members and board/committee members
Spoke to classes from Boyle school about municipal government, tour of municipal building
Volunteered for multiple groups at the Wildberry Festival

BBQ events for various groups
Bottle Drives
50/50 at Gord Bamford Concert
Wrote board handbook for library
Assisted in employee handbook writing for youth centre
Judge for contests and events in the community

My Commitment to Active Leadership

For me, being a councillor is about far more than attending meetings; its about being present, lending a hand and working alongside the people who keep our community strong.

I believe Boyle deserves councillors who step up, take part, and truly invest their time and energy into the groups and initiatives that matter here at home. That is why I get involved at every level; whether its sitting on boards and committees, volunteering at events, fundraising, studying and researching, meeting with other elected officials or helping connect groups with the wider community.

I'm committed to rolling up my sleeves and working along side our community volunteers and outside agencies, because real progress happens when we work together.

Campaign Platform

Resident Focused Government
Strong Financial Stewardship and Transparency
Access to Healthcare
Infrastructure Repair and Replacement
Supporting Growth and Vitality

1. Resident Focused Government

I believe council decisions should always put residents first. Council exists to serve the people of Boyle and I believe every decision should reflect that. I make it a priority to listen, to be accessible, and to bring resident concerns forward in an open and respectful way. By keeping residents at the centre of our decisions, we ensure Boyle remains a community where people feel heard and valued.

2. Strong Financial Stewardship and Transparency

I believe in making thoughtful, responsible and transparent decisions about how community dollars are spent, ensuring they go where they make the most impact. Over the last 2 terms I have supported increasing the level of service provided by the Village to residents without seeking a rise in taxes. Every dollar that comes into the Village of Boyle is important, and it is council's responsibility to make sure those dollars are used wisely. This requires some "outside of the box" thinking and planning. I will continue to evaluate the risk and reward to our residents and the Village as a whole when it comes to budgeting, fiscal reserve building, capital and operational projects, financial requests and the impact to residential tax collection. Careful spending and practicing restraint when necessary means we can meet today's needs while planning responsibly for tomorrow.

4. Infrastructure Repair and Replacement

I believe in being proactive, not waiting to be reactive. Maintaining and upgrading infrastructure is vital for Boyle's future. Our roads, water and waste water systems and public facilities are the backbone of our community. Responsible planning and investment in infrastructure and practicing fiscal forethought on replacement not only addresses today's challenges but also prepares Boyle for long term growth and sustainability. This work is essential to keep our community safe, functional and welcoming.

5. Supporting Growth and Vitality

I support initiatives that keep Boyle vibrant, welcoming and sustainable for the future. Our Village has incredible potential to grow, and I believe in supporting efforts that make Boyle a great place to live no matter what stage of life you are in. I believe in giving a helping hand up not a hand out. Through council I have supported change to our bylaws and policies to make it easier and more lucrative for a new business to open up in our village or an established business to grow. I support services and programs being available and active in our community that draw people here like the Public Library, FCSS, Community Futures, Greater North Foundation and more because every opportunity for our residents to enrich their lives only makes Boyle better. From local businesses to recreation to community programs and services to our strong volunteer groups, I advocate for initiatives that strengthen our vitality, enrich our community and attract opportunities, while maintaining the character and values we are proud of.

3. Access to Healthcare

Access to local healthcare is essential for our community's well being and its one of the most important issues facing our community right now.

I am committed to advocating for strong, reliable healthcare services here in Boyle and supporting the efforts to get our hospital reopened fully. I will continue to push for healthcare that meets the needs of families, seniors and all residents of Boyle.

A Little About Barb

Barb has been a proud resident of Boyle for the past 12 years. She has sat as an active councillor for the Village for the past 2 terms. Married 17 years to the love of her life, Jeramie, she is a dedicated mother to three wonderful children, Joshua, Rachel and Blake. With a diploma in business administration from NAIT, she has cultivated a strong foundation in her professional journey through the banking and finance worlds, as well as government administration. Couple that with her unique experience as a stay at home mom, Barb has a unique perspective on issues that come across the council table and offers objective solutions and "outside of the box" ideas. She has gained valuable experience in governance and policy writing, helping council make thoughtful, well-informed decisions for our community.

An active volunteer in the community, Barb has a passion for helping and a genuine eagerness to learn, support and listen to others. Her approachable and friendly nature coupled with her big personality makes her a beloved figure among friends and neighbors alike. She is committed to making a positive impact in Boyle and continues to seek opportunities for growth and contribution.

Barb's mission is to serve the Village of Boyle with integrity and transparency, ensuring that every voice is heard. She is dedicated to improving local services, building relationships, fostering economic growth, and enhancing the quality of life for all residents. Through open dialogue and collaborative efforts, Barb aims to build a stronger, more inclusive community for everyone.

Get Out There and Vote!

Please note the locations for voting!

Advance Polling is being held on October 14th at the Village of Boyle Municipal Centre Council Chambers, located at 4800 3rd Street S, Boyle.

General Election Day is Monday, October 20th at the Boyle Community Centre located at 5002 3rd Street, Boyle

Did You Register To Vote?

Registering to vote before the election gets you in the voting booth faster! Click the link below to go to the Elections Alberta page to register OR go to www.elections.ab.ca

Not Registered?

To vote, you must prove your identity and current address.

To do this, you may:

Provide one piece of Government-issued photo ID, including your full name, current address, and photo
Provide two pieces of ID, both containing your full name, and with one showing your current physical address
Have another registered elector in your voting area vouch for you
Have an authorized signatory complete an attestation form