Council Highlights June 23, 2025

une 23, 2025 

2025 County Open House Events Update — Council directed Administration to reduce the number of previously approved 2025 County Open House events from three to one and reschedule the Open House to August 13, 2025 at Saskatoon Lake Hall. The events were previously postponed due to the impacts of Kiskatinaw River Wildfire. 

Accessible Transportation Policy Update — Council directed Administration to bring more information to a future FCSS Advisory Board meeting on Policy G14, Seniors and Accessible Transportation Operating Assistance Grant. Specifically, Council is exploring whether the grant can help cover operating costs for organizations that own and operate accessible transportation services (such as buses or vans), as well as provide support to community groups that rely on these services to run their programs. 

Partial Road Closure Near Township Road 750  — Council gave final reading and approved Bylaw #3240 – The Partial Road Closure of Undeveloped Road to close off a portion of undeveloped road located approximately 2.60 miles northeast of the Hamlet of Demmitt. 

Development Permits Approved — Council approved the following development permits from PMC Peaskie Transloads Ltd.:  

•  To build a new truck unloading structure and elevator facility. 
• To build a temporary outdoor storage gravel parking pad. 

Each development is located west of Highway 43 and north of Highway 671, approximately 4.5 miles north of the Town of Beaverlodge. 

Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Funding Request Approved — Council approved a $20,000 funding request from the Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association to support the development of an International Business Events Attraction Strategy. The development of a strategy is part of a broader effort to secure up to $1 million from Destination Canada’s International Convention Attraction Fund, which offers a high return on investment and long-term economic benefits for the region.  GPRTA has secured $50,000 from Travel Alberta, contingent upon matching contributions of $20,000 each from the County and City of Grande Prairie.  The strategy will help assess the region’s ability to host major business events by reviewing local infrastructure, marketing capabilities, resource needs, and opportunities for industry collaboration.  

Minimum Municipal Tax Levy — Council heard from two delegations requesting partial tax relief on several grazing lease properties. Council took no action at this time, however, directed Administration to bring back information on the County’s Minimum Tax Levy and explore potential options for rebates or credits for the 2025 tax year. This information will be presented at the July 14, 2025 Regular Council Meeting for further discussion. Residents are reminded that property tax payments are due on June 30, 2025 to avoid penalties. 

Road Access Construction Requests — Council reviewed two separate requests for new road access construction from County residents. The first request was to construct approximately 300 metres of roadway southeast of Township Road 730, approximately 5.90 miles northeast of the Hamlet of Bezanson. The second was to construct a roadway northwest of Highway 43, approximately 10.25 miles northwest of the Hamlet of Hythe. 

In both cases, Council chose to take no action at this time. Residents are invited to bring forward additional information at a future Regular Council Meeting for further consideration.  

The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on July 14, 2025. The next Budget Council Meeting will take place on July 17, 2025. he next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on July 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.