July 15, 2025 Council Highlights

July 15, 2025

Minimum Tax Levy Update — Council directed Administration to waive the Minimum Tax Levy charged on all applicable tax rolls for the 2025 tax year. In the case of a request for a refund, the refund fee would be waived. Council also directed Administration to bring back the minimum tax item to a future Council meeting prior to the 2026 taxation year. 

Bezanson Land Purchase Amended — Council directed Administration to withdraw the County’s application to purchase approximately 7.73 hectares located within Bezanson from the Province of Alberta.  

Additional Funding for Sprucewood Park Road and Drainage Upgrade — Council approved $250,000 in additional project funding to upgrade Sprucewood Park road and drainage, bringing the total budget to $3,323,713 The increase will help cover out-of-scope services required for dewatering the immediate area.

Municipal Policing Committee — Council directed Administration to draft a letter to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services requesting an exemption to form a Municipal Policing Committee. Council directed Administration to draft a bylaw to establish a Municipal Policing Committee for the County of Grande Prairie and bring the draft bylaw to a future Council meeting for consideration. 

Rural Municipalities of Alberta Resolution to Increase Funding for Alberta’s Libraries — Council supported the 2025 Rural Municipalities of Alberta Resolution – Increasing Funding for Alberta Libraries for presentation at the District 4 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) membership meeting in August 2025, for consideration at the fall RMA convention. 

Letter of Support, Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation — Council directed Administration to provide a letter of support for the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation’s application to the Community Facility Enhancement Program Large Grant program for the Ken Sargent House project. 

Letter of Funding Commitment for Hythe Athletic Association — Council provided a funding commitment letter to the Hythe Athletic Association for their Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) grant application to support a potential funding shortfall of up to $57,647.67 towards the 50 per cent matching requirement of $490,741.50. This support would be contingent upon the Association being a successful recipient of the CFEP Large Grant and being unable to secure additional funding from other sources.

Wapiti Dunes Community Association Additional Signage Request — Council directed Administration to assist the Wapiti Dunes Community Association with determining the locations and cost of installing additional signage at both entrances onto Township Road 704A and bring the information back to a future Regular Council Meeting.

Road Closure Bylaw Approved — Council gave first reading to Bylaw #3258 – Road Closure of Portion of Government Road Allowance to close a portion of Government Road Allowance located west of Highway 40, approximately 7.95 miles south of the City of Grande Prairie. Council directed Administration to forward the bylaw to the Minister of Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors for approval. 

Flag Policy Amended — Council approved Policy B18 – Flag Protocol to include Firefighters’ National Memorial Day which would see County Canadian flags half-masted annually on the second Sunday in September. According to the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation, more than 1,300 Canadian firefighters have died in the line of duty since 1848.

County Brewers Baseball Team Request for Funding Approved — Council approved a gift-in-kind funding request of up to $800 or 50 per cent of the booking fees, whichever is less, to cover the County Brewers Baseball Team’s outdoor rental fees at the J.D.A. County Sportsplex ball diamonds for the upcoming 2025 baseball season.

Sponsorship Awarded — Council awarded $1,000 in sponsorship to the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie for the 50 Cheers for 50 Years event on September 6, 2025.

County Employee Health and Wellness Plan Changes — Council approved an enhancement to the County’s health spending account benefit, to implement a carryover balance effective immediately.

Highway 43 and Range Road 62 — Council directed Administration to meet with the Regional Director of Transportation and Economic Corridors to discuss the right-in right-out in conjunction with the flyover at HWY 43 and RR 62 and report back to Council.

The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on August 11, 2025. The next Budget Council Meeting will take place on July 17, 2025. The 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.