August 21, 2025 Committee of the Whole Highlights

August 21, 2025

2025 Second Quarter Financial Reports — The Committee received an information report from Administration outlining the County’s second quarter financial reports. 

2025 Property Tax Information Summary — The Committee received an information report from Administration providing a summary of the 2025 property tax collection details. 

Economic Development Mid-Year Update — The Committee received an information report from Administration with an overview of the Economic Development activities and progress achieved in 2025. Progress has been made on projects like the economic opportunities’ booklet and newsletter, agri-tourism, business retention and expansion.

County Website Launch Update — The Committee received an information report from Administration on the recent launch of the new County website in July 2025. The new website is more accessible and better equipped to meet the evolving needs of County residents.

Provincial Changes to School Real Property Ownership — The Committee directed Administration to follow up and provide the Committee’s questions and feedback to the Province of Alberta regarding the recent provincial legislation changes that impact how land for schools is managed. 

County Hamlet Signage Update — The Committee recommended to Council that no additional Foamcore Monument signs (FCMS) be installed, that the County branded signs be removed from the hamlets with both FCMS and County branded signs, and that hamlets without signage have County branded signs installed. The Committee also directed Administration to draft a policy for developer or community driven signage.

Regional Enforcement Services and RCMP Quarterly Reports — The Committee received the 2025/2026 Regional Enforcement Services quarterly reports from Administration and RCMP members from the Grande Prairie Rural and Beaverlodge detachments. The report included statistics and information about on-call services, public engagement activities, patrols, joint forces operations, new staff, training, and the Regional Animal Pound.

Royal Bank of Canada Dominion Securities Annual Portfolio Report — Representatives from Chrenek Dion & Associates of Royal Bank of Canada Dominion Securities presented the annual investment portfolio to the Committee which included a market report, portfolio summary and performance, and a cashflow strategies discussion.

South Peace Regional Archive Annual Update — The Committee received the South Peace Regional Archives (SPRA) 2024 Annual Report. In 2024 the SPRA relocated to Centre 2000, with the County providing $101,145 in capital funding to support the move. At the March 2024 Council meeting, Council approved the SPRA’s request for operating funding for three years (2024, 2025 and 2026) term in the amount of $77,571 for 2024, and a three per cent escalator to be included in the Community Assistance Grant budget for 2025 and 2026.

Sunrise House Final Capital Project Update — The Committee received a final update from representatives from the Grande Prairie Youth Emergency Shelter Society (GPYESS) on the new Sunrise House Youth Shelter location completed in September 2024. The County’s final capital contribution of $100,000 was disbursed in July 2025, fulfilling the total financial commitment of $500,000 over a five-year period in support of the “New Home for Sunrise House” initiative. Since 2011, GPYESS has also received an annual operating grant of $20,000 through the County’s Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) program.

STARS Foundation Annual Update — The Committee received an information report from representatives of the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) Foundation. The Committee was presented with a commemorative plaque as a token of the Foundation’s appreciation for the County’s commitment over the past 17 years. Since then, the County has granted a total of $3,149,311 in community funding to STARS. This total includes capital funding of $500,000 ($100,000 over five years from 2020 to 2024) for the STARS Fleet Renewal Campaign. At the 2024 Interim Budget meeting, Council approved a renewal of the annual operating funding of $200,000 for a three-year term for 2025, 2026 and 2027.

STARS Commemorative plaque presentation, left to right: Councillor Steve Zimmerman, Councillor Leanne Beaupre, Councillor Kurt Balderston, Deputy Reeve Amanda Frayn, Reeve Bob Marshall, STARS Senior Municipal Relations Liaison Glenda Farnden, Councillor Bob Chrenek, Councillor Peter Harris, Councillor Brian Peterson.

The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on August 25, 2025. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on September 18, 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.