Flagstaff County Council heard from STARS Foundation Senior Municipal Relations Liaison Glenda Farnden during their Feb. 8 meeting.

Farnden reminded Council that their five-year $100,000 pledge was in its last year in 2017.

Farnden gave Council a quick presentation that outlined how STARS is funded, with 21 per cent of their funding coming from the government, and the remaining 79 per cent from private fundraising efforts. STARS does not charge patients anything.

“As our call volume increases, it was up nine per cent last year, our funding decreases, as we lose some of our corporate partners,” specifically mentioning that fewer oil companies have the resources to continue funding to past levels.

“I would like to remind all of you to please buy a STARS Lottery ticket. It’s our lifeline.

“We are the only home charity in Canada to sell out 20 years straight.”

Farnden said that site registration is a new potential source of income for the STARS organization. “We will be encouraging our municipal partners to share this information with their ratepayers.”

Farnden said rural landowners can register their home sites for free, and she encouraged everyone to do that. “The more registered sites there are within the province, the better it is for us.”

Farnden said that even after all traditional funding methods are counted, STARS is looking at having to raise another $15 million in good will fundraising to meet expenses.

She provided Council with mission breakdown figures for Flagstaff County, showing six calls in 2016, and 2015, a substantial reduction from previous years.

Flagstaff County is served by both STARS Calgary and Edmonton bases.

Council was then shown a comparison chart to neighbouring counties, with Camrose having 219 calls in 2016, Beaver having 140 calls, and Wainwright 122 calls.

With regards to funding, Farnden said, three-quarters of all Alberta rural municipalities are on-board, with an average of $2 per capita pledged, generating $1.6 million annually for the organization.

“Thank you for your contributions. Flagstaff County is one of our top supporters in Central Alberta, donating $100,000 over five years.

“Thank you, Flagstaff County, you are a municipal leader, saving many lives.