COLD LAKE — What began as a straightforward $7,000 commitment from the City of Cold Lake to support the Bonnyville 4-H District Show & Sale turned into a $15,000 debate during a special council meeting on June 4.
Originally, council approved a motion on May 13 to buy one steer, including cut and wrap, for up to $7,000. But at the May 26 auction, the City walked away with two.
CAO Kevin Nagoya explained that the amendment in the agenda proposes increasing the budget to cover the purchase of two market steers bought at the May 26 sale.
The steers were purchased from two 4-H participants, totaling $13,042.50, with estimated processing costs of $1,842.75, bringing the total to $14,885.25. The meat will be donated to the Cold Lake Food Bank and the John Howard Society's shelter and meals program.
Coun. Chris Vining, who missed the original meeting, questioned the double purchase, “I'm just curious as to how we wound up with . . . two.”
Mayor Craig Copeland responded, “We went over the amount at this auction, obviously . . . but the motion is to continue with the theme of purchasing both cows - or both steers.”
The situation left several councillors puzzled.
“I was a bit confused by this, too,” admitted Coun. Bob Mattice. “How did we end up at $15,000?”
Coun. Ryan Bailey voiced concern over budgeting practices, saying, “My concern is that we went well over the budget . . . I'm just not sure the statement we're making when we say ‘OK, we're going to go with $7,000’, all of a sudden it's $15,000.”
Copeland said the purchase of two steers was likely due to miscommunication and suggested the original motion should have clearly stated to buy just one.
Despite the concerns, Nagoya assured council there was enough flexibility within the Council Goodwill fund, which still had close to $50,000 available. “That’s why I included the summary above or below,” he noted.
Coun. Bill Parker, who handled the purchase, clarified, “We put a bid in for the second one as the prices were going up . . . it was a low bid, but it ended up being the accepted bid.”
In the end, most councillors supported the motion but emphasized the need for clearer direction. “I had a lot of heartburn on this,” said Bailey. “But I don't want to let the 4-H people down.”
Copeland concluded with a call for improved clarity, saying, “We just have to learn next time . . . maybe the motion should have read initially just buy one steer.”
Council passed a motion to increase the funding from $7,000 to $15,000, to support the purchase of two market steers from the Bonnyville 4-H District/Ardmore 4-H Beef Club.
