FALL 2022 Interim Budget Meetings Pg. 3 County Snow Clearing Pg. 4-5 Be a Good Neighbour Pg. 6 OHV Winter Safety Pg. 7
Clairmont Centre Access Program Pg. 8-9 Recycling & Waste Mgmt Pg. 10 Support for Local Business Pg. 12-13 Property Re-Inspections Pg. 13
Welcome, District Chief Smith Pg. 14 Holiday Fire Safety Pg. 15 Skunk-Proof Your Property Pg. 16 Nominate a Farm Family Pg. 17
Recreation & Community Pg. 18-19 Calm for the Holidays Pg. 20 Winter Activities Pg. 21 Sportsplex & Dino Museum Pg. 22-23
Reeve’s Message With the support of my fellow Councillors, I was honoured to be elected to serve as Reeve for the County of Grande Prairie during Council’s annual organizational meeting in October. Our gratitude to Councillor Leanne Beaupre for the steadfast support and guidance she provided during her 10 years as Reeve, and in her ongoing role as Councillor for Division 3. This is a challenging time for our economy. Prioritizing residents’ needs by continuing to invest in critical projects and essential programs will remain my focus in this new leadership role. Earlier this year, Council approved the 2022 capital and operating budgets with no increase to the municipal tax rate. Moving into this year’s budget, we will consider inflation and the heightened cost of living as we strive again for a balanced budget that meets the needs of residents. Council will be holding 2023 interim budget discussions on December 7-9, and I encourage residents to attend or listen in virtually. For County Council and administration, 2022 was exceptionally busy and I am pleased to share some highlights along with plans for the year ahead. IN THE COMMUNITY Congratulations to the Vavrek Family who were recognized as the 2022 Farm Family of the year during the Peace Country Agri-Show banquet. There have been a diversity of initiatives, programs, and services this year to support our communities: • The Emergency Coordination Centre was activated in response to the Bearhole Lake Wildfire in British Columbia. This proactive step saw County staff working with our neighbours to support residents and livestock operators, keeping our communities informed, prepared, and safe.
• Approval of the County’s Indigenous Peoples Relationship Policy formally affirmed our commitment to expand our knowledge and continue to form positive, respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and organizations. • Recreational use of stormwater ponds in residential subdivisions continues this winter season. A program is being developed, similar to the existing Neighbourhood Ice Surface Program, where interested residents can apply to manage the ice surface on their local stormwater pond. The County will oversee the program and coordinate the training of volunteers. We also remind residents that grant funding is available for developing land-based neighbourhood ice surfaces. • Council approved $6.5 million in recreation, community, culture, library, seniors and special needs transportation, and FCSS grants to various organizations across the region. • $200,000 in capital funding was approved to support construction of a new Sunrise House Youth Emergency Shelter. • The fourth annual Kids Can Catch event at the County Sportsplex Pond sold out again this year. • $25,000 was donated to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation Mozart Mission for breast cancer screening equipment. Our hearts are with those who have been touched by this disease as we do our part to help ensure positive outcomes for more women. • After a two-year delay due to the pandemic, we celebrated the grand opening of the La Glace Fire Hall and resumed our annual County Open Houses in June.