The Municipality of Jasper is looking at procuring conventional buses rather than three electric buses for its transit fleet as originally intended.

On Tuesday (March 24, 2026), committee of the whole recommended council amend the capital budget to reflect this, and to direct administration to proceed with procurement.

The $2.25-million budget item would be covered by a $5-million federal grant, which also covered the cost of the recently-built transit fleet facility.

CAO Bill Given said the Municipality had issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the electric buses just before the wildfire but only received one submission.

Due to market conditions, administration requested a scope change to the grant agreement to allow the purchase of conventional buses, which the federal government approved. The deadline to complete the project was also extended to March 31, 2027.

Administration recommended the purchase of four conventional buses, but council decided to remain unspecific.

Wildfire donations

The Municipality has received $32,625.44 in unsolicited donations from various individuals and groups to support Jasper’s wildfire recovery.

Although administration suggested placing this money into a financial stabilization reserve so council can decide how to spend it later, committee recommended council give the donations to the Jasper Community Team Society’s Caring Community Fund.

Mayor Richard Ireland said this was likely more in line with the intention of donors.

“The financial stabilization reserve offers us some financial flexibility so we can cushion the blow to taxpayers, but it doesn’t necessarily provide a benefit directly to the marginalized and most vulnerable in our community,” Ireland said.

Coun. Kable Kongsrud advocated for spending the donations on new dishware at the Jasper Activity Centre, something he said he has contemplated for several months.

“I was washing dishes for the Community Dinner, which I totally think is a great event, and trying to find three dishes that stack up together is just about impossible,” Kongsrud said.

Coun. Ralph Melnyk agreed with Ireland. While he was supportive of Kongsrud’s idea, he wanted to consider this separately.

Committee moved for administration to return to a future meeting with recommendation about the Multi-Purpose Hall’s dishware. It also referred the issue of allocating future unsolicited donations to a future meeting.

Skatepark financing

Council may forgive up to $42,000 owed by the Jasper Skatepark Committee for the new $1-million skatepark, which opened last September.

Council previously approved giving $300,000 toward the skatepark, on top of $627,500 in grant funding. In 2024, it authorized a loan up to $150,000 to address a funding shortfall, but this level of support is no longer required after the project came in under budget by $73,000.

Natasha Malenchak, director of finance and administration, advised using reserves to offset the outstanding $42,000, although she noted the committee had secured extra financing and the number will come down.

“Administration’s recommendation recognizes the community benefit of the skatepark, which is a municipal asset supporting recreation, youth engagement and community well-being,” she said.

The alternatives were debt financing or requiring the committee to repay the remaining balance over time. Committee recommended council offset the outstanding amount.

Council is expected to decide on all three topics next week.

Peter Shokeir, Local Journalism Initiative // info@thejasperlocal.com