By Curtis Galbraith

City Budget

Snow removal, firefighters, weed control among discussion topics at City Hall budget talks

Nov 17, 2022 | 6:00 AM

Snow Removal

Grande Prairie city council voted to add $75,000 to enhance snow and ice control at transit stops on Day 2 of budget talks on Wednesday.

Mayor Jackie Clayton says this was something the city heard about from the community during consultations that were held earlier this year.

“When we engaged the community, we heard on a regular basis there were people looking to use transit, whether they had accessible needs or whether they didn’t, they were standing at bus stops where snow wasn’t removed, and we truly believe that transit has value in our community.”

Council voted against adding $250,000 to add a sixth rotation of snow clearing in residential areas.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

Clayton says there was an idea that came from community consultations to remove snow in neighbourhoods at a threshold of 7.5 centimetres rather than the current 10 centimetres.

“In order to consider that 7.5 trigger, there would need to be financial considerations to have more snow removal, assuming we get the regular amount of snow, now you’re removing snow at 7.5 centimetres instead of 10.”

Council also voted against adding $55,000 to the budget for clearing trails. Clayton says trails will still be cleared as they were before.

Two flex firefighters added to budget

City Hall has decided to add a couple of personnel to the Grande Prairie Fire Department at budget discussions.

Council has approved hiring what are called flex firefighters.

Mayor Clayton says the fire department had asked for four of these positions.

“Right now, there is a significant amount of overtime used when people transfer between stations to support each other. So, to alleviate that overtime, they asked for four new members. Council approved the acquisition of two new firefighter positions.”

Clayton says council wants to see how the new scheduling format works before adding all four positions.

She adds adding two people now should help reduce the cost of paying overtime.

Weed control, other items also discussed

Council also approved having more mowing to control broadleaf weeds done along arterial roads, but the $44,854 cost must be covered by doing less mowing in areas that are not as visible.

Council rejected adding $20,000 for a contracted spraying project to control weeds.

Council also approved adding $117, 279 for operating costs at the Grande Prairie Curling Centre and adding $1,815 to bring its operating cost contribution to Nitehawk up to $50,000. Nitehawk officials asked for this to cover increased fuel costs.

The projected tax increase is now at 3.26 per cent, but council says that is still not the final number.