STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
County of Grande Prairie

County Council Highlights

Nov 17, 2022 | 12:39 PM

The County of Grande Prairie Council met on Monday, with a long list of topics that were discussed.

Livestock Emergency Response Plan

Council approved the Livestock Emergency Response Plan as it was presented. The plan gives the County the means to manage livestock emergencies with the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership.

Agriculture staff conducted an extensive survey with livestock owners in the region and created a searchable database for the approximate quantity and type of local livestock, including emergency resources and individuals’ ability to move their animals in emergencies.

Officials say the survey’s database proved to be effective during the Bearhole Lake wildfire in September.

$19,000 in funding was given by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Emergency Preparedness Program to the County for the plan.

Funding Increase for Hythe Memorial Arena Operations

$128,000 has been approved for the Hythe Athletic Association’s operating funding starting January 1, 2023, for a one-year term to align with the County’s fiscal calendar.

The association covers all operating expenses outlined in the operating agreement and must report back to council within 60 days of their fiscal year-end so the County can determine funding for the following year (2024).

The current funding allocation is $46,040 annually for the association.

An operating grant increase of $32,000 was approved by Council for the association to operate the arena from October – December 2022. The funds are from the Community Grant Reserve.

Support in Community

Council approved two requests for support:

  • $25,000 for the United Way’s Period Project to cover the costs of installing hygiene dispensers in all County-based junior and senior high schools.
  • $5,000 to the Grande Prairie Aboriginal Circle of Services for the Grande Prairie Annual Round Dance to be held on November 19.

Requests for support from Bear Creek Folk Festival for $25,000 and the County of Grande Prairie Wheat Kings for $15,000 were deferred by Council to 2023 Interim Budget deliberations and are pending receipts/documents from both organizations.

Award Recognition

Administration was congratulated in the meeting by Council for receiving the 2022 National Public Works Week Award in the Rural Community category.

During Public Works Week this year, staff presented career options to schools in the County and hosted a flag competition for students to raise awareness about public works.

The team received a plaque at the Excellence in Public Works Conference in Red Deer in September and will be featured in American Public Works Association publications.

This was the second year in a row the County has won a National Public Works Week Award.