Sundre's mayor said council should consider adding broadband to its strategic priorities chart for the year.
"I feel broadband should be included in priorities for 2017," said Terry Leslie during council's Jan. 23 workshop, adding that administrative staff have already been working on putting proposals together.
Coun. Cheri Funke disagreed on the grounds of insufficient funding.
"This community doesn't have the money to do that on our own," she said.
Unless the provincial or federal government makes available grant funding, the councillor said pursuing broadband is not viable in Sundre.
However, Coun. Chris Vardas agreed with the mayor.
"Broadband is something the community needs to grow and survive," said Vardas, adding he did not see a problem with including the project in the municipality's vision.
"I would like to see it on there as well."
The mayor followed up on Funke's concerns to clarify that since the proposals for broadband have not even been considered by council, the cost to the community has not yet been officially evaluated.
"It hasn't been determined we can't afford it yet," said Leslie.
"The question of dollars and cents has not come before us yet."
Some of these questions will be addressed during an upcoming workshop scheduled for Monday, Jan. 23, after which staff would be seeking further direction, said Angie Lucas, interim CAO as well as director of planning and operational services.
"I do agree broadband is important," she said, adding the project has been under consideration since late 2015.
"You can always take it off (of the list of priorities) but it's good to have it on there."
The five strategic priorities that have been outlined are as follows: coordinate with Mountain View County to create a new inter-collaborative framework document; participate in Municipal Government Act education sessions as available; pursue obtaining regional status for the municipality's water and wastewater servicing; lobby for federal and provincial funding for infrastructure upgrades; and to assist the community in preparing itself for the upcoming general municipal election process.
The mayor pointed out that of those five priorities, not one had anything to do with economic development.
Coun. Nolan Blatchford mentioned the recent development regarding the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's announcement that broadband is now considered a basic service similar to landline phones.
Council has options ó to either allow a big telecommunication company to come in and claim the local market, or for the municipality to invest in broadband itself to potentially reap the rewards down the line, said Vardas.
"If it works out, great. If not, drop it," he said.
The mayor stressed the point that broadband is necessary for economic development.
Regardless of whether the municipality establishes its own service or allows a big company to assume the risk, "we still need broadband," said Leslie.
Coun. Myron Thompson reminded his colleagues that a number of residents remain uncertain regarding precisely what broadband is and why they should support council in its effort to acquire the service.
"Taxpayers want to know what their money is being invested in ó what the service will mean to every individual," he said.
Vic Pirie, director of finance and administration, reminded council there would be further public education about broadband as well as consultation with residents following the Jan. 23 workshop, which anyone who is so inclined can attend.
"We need to ensure our community will be supportive of council's decision," he said.
Council decided to further discuss whether to include broadband in its strategic priorities at its regular meeting on Jan. 16.
Broadband Internet offers unlimited data usage and also provides download and upload speeds that eclipse all other services.
