Citizen Satisfaction Survey Results – County of Grande Prairie residents overwhelmingly report a high level of satisfaction with the quality of life in the County, feel the region is safe, and that they receive good value for taxes. Allison Watson, Vice President of Leger 360, presented the survey results to Council.

Highlights from the survey report include:

  • Quality of Life: Overall, this area remains remarkably high in the County with 96% of residents believing their quality of life is good. A high percentage (86%) expressed pride in being a resident of the County.
  • Value for Taxes: A growing number of residents (36%) indicate they are receiving good value for the municipal portion of their property tax bill when compared with 2021 results (28%).
  • Areas of Success: 75% of residents say the County has been successful at encouraging economic development, 74% note the County’s success in providing effective transportation networks such as roadways, and 65% for effective service delivery using innovative tools and a strong commitment to customer service.
  • Safety: An increasing number of residents (89% versus 86% in 2021) agree that the County is a safe region.

Read more about the survey results in the media release.

County Business Plan Update Administration presented an update to Council on the current status of administrative activities that relate to Council’s strategic direction.

Alberta Community Partnership – Mediation and Cooperative Process Grant ApplicationCouncil supported submitting a joint application with the City of Grande Prairie for funding under the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) component of the Alberta Community Partnership – Mediation and Cooperative Process stream, with the County acting as the managing partner municipality. In April 2021, both municipalities entered a Cost Sharing and Information Sharing Agreement which is set to expire on March 31, 2025. The grant will be used to, fund a facilitator for the onset of upcoming negotiations for a replacement cost-sharing agreement.

Aquatera Utility Bylaw – Aquatera continues to explore opportunities to mitigate increasing costs, periodic increases are required to ensure the rate equals the cost of delivering essential services. Council gave third reading to Bylaw 3218 Aquatera Utility Bylaw as presented and rescinded Bylaw 3182. Water and wastewater utility rates are scheduled to increase effective March 1, 2024.

  • Residents connected to Aquatera in the Hamlet of Clairmont will see a water rate increase of 7.1% and a wastewater increase of 6.8%
  • County of Grande Prairie residents connected to Aquatera elsewhere in the County will see a water rate increase 7.1% and a wastewater increase of 6.7%

Request for Special Council Meeting Council will hold a Special Council meeting on April 25, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. to review and approve the 2023 Financial Statements and Auditor’s Report, as requested by administration.  

Public Hearings Council held the following public hearings:

  • Council gave second reading to Bylaw 2680-24-002 to redesignate 16 hectares of land from the Country Residential (CR-5) District to the Limited Institutional and Recreation (L-IR) District to accommodate the development of a Group Care Facility, located approximately northeast of Saskatoon Lake, adjacent to Township Road 722 and Range Road 80.
  • Council gave third reading to Bylaw 2680-24-003 to redesignate approximately 1.63 acres of land from the Agricultural (AG) District to the Country Residential (CR-5) District to accommodate a boundary adjustment, located approximately nine kilometres east of the Hamlet of Hythe, adjacent to Highways 672 and 723.

Webster Cemetery Ownership –Council directed administration to take over ownership of the Webster Cemetery and to follow current legislation and guidance when proceeding with the transfer, following a presentation by the cemetery’s maintenance association and Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan.

Proclamations Council proclaimed the following:

  • May 6 - 10, 2024, as Economic Development Week in the County of Grande Prairie. 
  • The month of February 2024 as Black History Month in the County of Grande Prairie.

Staff Introductions Council welcomed the following:

  • Rob Beaupertuis as the new General Manager of Financial and Business Planning Services.
  • Richard Taillefer as the Asset Management Advisor with Business Advisory Services
  • Shantelle Rondeau as a Temporary Data Entry Clerk with Business Advisory Services.
  • Mallory Chalmers as an Internal Communications Advisor with Communications and Marketing
  • Andrea Holscher as the Senior Marketing Advisor with Communications and Marketing
  • Tennille Deering as a Land Assistant with Land and Development Services.

Committee of the Whole Re-Scheduled – Council approved rescheduling the February 29, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting to March 4, 2024.

The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on February 12, 2024. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on March 4, 2024.

Council and Committee meetings are available to the public via live stream. Find connection instructions and meeting agendas through the events calendar on the County website.