Present to Town Council (Delegations)

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How Do I Get an Item in Front of Council?

The first step is to contact Town Administration. Click here to email us.

Staff will hear your request and determine if it can be handled internally, or if Council needs to make a decision regarding it. Many requests can actually be addressed by Town Staff, so contacting them first actually makes it easier to navigate the system. If Staff determine Council needs to make a policy/budget decision, then we will provide a Delegation Form.

Want to learn more about how we handle requests? Check out our handy flowchart here!

Types of Issues Considered by Council

Items brought to Town Council meetings vary. Council will consider a number of issues brought forward by the public, including (but not limited to):

Presentations of information requiring a policy decision from Council;
Funding requests (click here for information on our Community Grant Program);
Items of community concern requiring a policy decision from Council;
Presentations from outside agencies on programming, projects, proposals, etc.

Please note: Sometimes items brought forward by the public may be something Town Administration can address without needing a delegation for Council. If this is the case, our Administrative Staff will be in contact with you so we can address the query.

Can I just show up to a Council meeting and talk to them about my concern?

No. If you want to speak directly to Council, you must fill out a Delegation Request Form ahead of time. This lets Council know what you want to talk about and gives them time to prepare.

If you show up without being on the agenda, Council cannot engage in discussion with you. They’re only allowed to speak with people who are officially scheduled as part of the meeting agenda or those speaking during a public hearing for specific topics, like land use or bylaws. The public is always welcome to attend and listen to Council meetings, but participating in meetings requires you to be part of an agenda item for discussion.

If your concern doesn’t need to go to Council, Town staff may be able to help you directly. If that’s the case, we’ll contact you after reviewing your form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get the Delegation Request Form?

Is there a time limit for delegations?

Can groups attend as a delegation?

Will my presentation be made public?

Where are delegations on the agenda?

Will my name and address be public?

All information included on the submission form (including your name, address, telephone number, and email address) will become part of the public record and may appear as part of the Council agenda package unless you expressly request the Town of Taber to remove it. If you have questions or concerns about how the Town of Taber collects your information, please contact our FOIPP Coordinator at 403-223-5500.

Will I appear in the Council video recordings if I present as a delegation?

Can I use audio-visual equipment?

How do I address the Mayor and Councillors?

Are all requests to Council granted?

Council will deliberate on your presentation and make their decision accordingly. However, they may or may not make a decision on the matter at the time of your delegation. The possible decisions Council may make on your decision can include:

Approving your request as presented
Approving your request with changes
Accepting your presentation as information only
Table (postpone) the item until further information is brought forth by Administration or the delegation
Table the item to another meeting of Council
Refer the item to one of Council's boards or committees for further discussion
Decline the request by the delegation

What happens after my presentation is done?

After your presentation to Council concludes, Council may ask you questions or deliberate on the matter. Please stay at the delegation dais until the agenda item is concluded, as Council may ask you questions.

Once Council votes on your agenda item, your delegation has concluded. You are welcome to stay for the rest of the Council meeting as a member of the public or you are also able to leave the meeting if you choose.

No matter the decision rendered by Council, Administrative Staff will send you correspondence outlining Council's decision for your records, and to discuss next steps should the resolution warrant more action.

I just want to give information or updates to Council about my project/group/initiative without asking for a decision. Can I still present to Council?

Council delegations are used to ask for a decision from Council. Therefore, just presenting information without asking for a decision is not considered appropriate. As Council's time is limited, the Town of Taber requests that delegations are used to request a direct decision from Council, whether that be a policy change, a decision on a matter of concern, or funding requests.

If you would like to provide only information to Council, please contact our Administrative Services Manager who would be happy to offer you some avenues to provide your information to our members of Council.