COUNTY CO N N E C T I O N S SPRING 2024 2
2024 Budget Approved
9 Plan Your County
15 Free Data, Tools & More
20 Spring & Summer Activities
4
Making Sense of the Budget
10 Emergency Preparedness
17 County Open Houses
21 Strengthening Crime Prevention
6
2024 Construction Projects
13 Apply for Community Grants
18 Volunteer Excellence
22 Sportsplex Summer Camps
8
Equitable Representation
14 New System: MyProperty
19 Enjoy Your County Staycation
23 Dino Museum Summer Program
REEVE’S MESSAGE As spring gets fully underway, our thoughts naturally return to last spring and the wildfire challenges we experienced both locally and across the province. With the province’s declaration of an early start to wildfire season this year, please take the time to be prepared. Everything you do also helps your friends and neighbours.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS All residents and property owners can do their part in advance of emergency situations. We invite you to download the FireSmart™ Home Assessment app or schedule an in-person assessment with our Regional Fire Services team. Find information about our Livestock Emergency Response Plan and other programs at www.countygp.ab.ca to ensure you, your family, and our community are ready. Learn more about Emergency Preparedness on page 10.
BUDGET Spring also brings final budget numbers. Council approved the 2024 budget with a 2.9 per cent municipal tax rate increase that aligns with public feedback which identified fire services and road conditions as two important areas of focus in recent and past Citizen Satisfaction Surveys. The approved budget includes funds to enhance the County’s fire response through additional firefighters and dedicated prevention officers, along with funds to install television service at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital and investments in home support to help meet increased need. Read more about the budget starting on page 2. The Wapiti Bridge Trail Connector surfacing project has been approved for construction. The $1 million project will feature a four-kilometre asphalt trail from the Wapiti Bridge to the Dunes paved trail network on Township Road 704A.
The County of Grande Prairie provided land for the replacement Harry Balfour School, in addition to a $50,000 capital grant to the school's Participarent Association to help build Phase 2 of the playground. The building is on schedule to open this fall for the 2024-2025 school year. Read more about capital grants on page 13. Council approved $504,400 to connect Five Mile Hall to municipal water and sewer services to ensure it is operating at full capacity prior to the opening of nearby Harry Balfour School.
CRIME PREVENTION The County’s Crime Prevention Committee is working on strategies to reduce rural crime and to engage and inform residents. Council approved the committee’s Annual Work Plan which includes rural crime watch committees, expanded virtual meeting options, and the pursuit of grants or other options to fund a Crime Prevention Coordinator position. Read more on page 21 and stay tuned to www.countygp.ab.ca for opportunities to engage with the Committee.
ELECTORAL BOUNDARY REVIEW Using data from the municipal census, we’ll be looking at demographic changes and population distribution within the County. The full electoral boundary review process, triggered by the dissolution of the Village of Hythe and mandated by the Provincial government, must be completed before our next election in 2025. See page 8 for more information and how to share your input.
LAND USE ENGAGEMENTS We require your input to make sure the County is growing in ways that meet the needs of our community. This spring, Plan Your County activities start up again, giving residents opportunities to help shape the plans, strategies, and other documents that guide growth in the County and with neighbouring communities. Read more on page 9.