April 25, 2025 Council Highlights

April 25, 2025

Spring 2025 Wildfire Preparedness — Council directed Administration to allocate $425,000 to support Regional Fire Service having firefighters in place at all fire stations during extreme conditions and peak burning times, to ensure prompt response.

2024 Audited Financial Statements Approved — Council approved the County of Grande Prairie consolidated 2024 Audited Financial Statements as presented. The audit was completed in March 2025 by BDO Canada LLP. The 2024 financial statements will be made available at www.countygp.ab.ca.

2026-2027 Operating Plan and 2026-2029 Capital Plan — Council approved the County of Grande Prairie’s 2026-2027 Operating Plan, and the 2026-2029 Capital Plan as presented. The Operating and Capital plans were updated to reflect recent budget decisions made during Council Budget meetings held April 15-17, 2025.

2024 Fourth Quarter Financial Report — Council received a report on the County of Grande Prairie’s 2024 fourth quarter financials, including year-to-date actual revenues and expenditures compared to approved budgets.      

2022-2026 County Strategic Plan Updated — Council approved a minor update to the County Strategic Plan as presented. A complete review of the Strategic Plan will happen in February 2026 after the 2025 municipal election.

Land Use Bylaw Administrative Update — Council directed Administration to amend the administrative section of Bylaw #2680 – Land Use Bylaw to include changes to development permits that will reduce red tape for specific developments and streamline the County’s processes. Administration will advertise and circulate the amendments and present the amended bylaw at a future public hearing.

Gravel Pit Development Permit Application — Council directed Administration to approve the development permit application for a gravel pit located on Resources Road near International Paper.

County Sign Locations Report — Council received a report from Administration on current County sign locations in 12 hamlets and three rural settlements. Council directed Administration to bring a policy discussion on hamlet signage to a future Committee of the Whole meeting.

Procedural Bylaw Updated — Council gave final reading to Bylaw #3253 – Procedural Bylaw as amended to incorporate recent changes to the Local Authorities Elections Act and the Municipal Government Act.

Policy Update Requested — Council directed Administration to bring back Policy F10 – Council and Board Member Honoraria and Expense Reimbursement with updated committee-appointed Councillor conference attendance to a future Council meeting for consideration.

Sponsorship Requests — Council approved the following sponsorship requests:

• $1,500 to the Northwestern Polytechnic Foundation for the Northwestern Polytechnic Golf Classic on June 6, 2025.
• $1,500 to the Grande Prairie Women’s Residence Association for the Sunrise House Odyssey House Golf Tournament on June 13, 2025.
• $1,000 to the Grande Pride Society for the 2025 Pride event.
• $1,000 to the Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society for the 2025 Community Carnival and Fund Ride on June 7, 2025.
• $500 to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s on May 24, 2025.

Public Hearings — Council held the following public hearings:

• Council gave final reading to Bylaw #2680-25-022 to redesignate 6.16 hectares of land located within the Hamlet of Clairmont in the Whispering Ridge subdivision on the east side of Range Road 62, from the Agricultural (AG) District to the Rural Residential (RR-2) District.
• Council gave final reading to Bylaw #2680-25-015 as an amendment to the Land Use Bylaw #2680 to include Section 45: Hythe Direct Control (HY-DC1) District as a new zoning district, and to redesignate Plan 2670TR, Lot D within the Village of Hythe from the Institutional (I) District to the Hythe Direct Control (HY-DC1) District.

Staff Introductions — Council welcomed former County Customer Service Representative Lyndie Ruthven to her new position as an Accounting Clerk in the Cash Control department. Council welcomed Brandon Bulford to his permanent position as an Accounting Clerk in the Cash Control department.

The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on May 5, 2025. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on May 22, 2025.

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