SPRING 2023 2023 Budget Approved Pg. 2 Making Sense of the Budget Pg. 4 2023 Construction Projects Pg. 6 Apply for Community Grants Pg. 8
Three Cheers for Volunteers Pg. 10 Mental Health Services Pg. 11 County Open Houses Pg. 12 Book Your County Staycation Pg. 13
Reeve’s Message On May 5, time stood still for the County of Grande Prairie as our hearts and actions centered on the Dunes West Wildfire. Everything was set aside for the most important matter at hand – the safety of our residents who were impacted by the various evacuation orders and alerts issued on that day, and on the days that followed. I want to express my sympathy to those who lost their homes and property or were affected in any way by the wildfire. Our hearts are with you as you begin to rebuild, not just your physical property but also your internal peace. We trust that better days are ahead, and we are here to provide our support. We are grateful that no lives were lost in the fire. In an emergency, difficult decisions must be made to ensure the very best outcome for all. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP), the many firefighters and supporting organizations who placed everything on the line in service to others. The County of Grande Prairie continues to value open and transparent communication with our residents, businesses, and anyone who could be affected by our decisions. As we return our attention to our ongoing tasks, in 20232024, we will undertake important work that will form our development standards and processes. Your feedback will be vital to developing plans and policies to suit the specific needs and culture of our County. PLAN YOUR COUNTY To continue growing in a way that meets the needs of our community in the long term, the County is reviewing and updating the plans, bylaws, strategies, and guidelines that shape local development.
Appeal Process 101 Pg. 14 Welcome to Your New Home Pg. 16 Nominate a Farm Family Pg. 16 What to Include in an Emergency Kit Pg. 17
FireSmart Your Property Today Pg. 18 Day Camps & Tot Programs Pg. 21 Sportsplex Summer Camps Pg. 22 Dino Museum Summer Program Pg. 23
‘Plan Your County’ will begin in 2023 with development of the Hamlet Resiliency Strategy and review of our Municipal Development Plan which outlines a high-level vision for development in the County. The learnings we gather will inform work in 2024 with the Land Use Bylaw Update and Area Structure Plan reviews, extending all the way down to our permit application forms and processes. BUDGET 2023 For the fourth year in a row, Council adopted a budget with no increase to the municipal tax rate, providing ongoing relief to residents while remaining committed to our infrastructure and service levels in a difficult economic climate. Approximately 59 per cent of the capital budget is going toward capital road and bridge projects, including carryovers. Find more details in this newsletter. STRATEGIC PLAN Earlier this year, Council approved minor updates to its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, our roadmap to guide our planning, initiatives, and operations. Review the plan at www.countygp.ab.ca/strategicplan. MUNICIPAL CENSUS & ELECTORAL BOUNDARY REVIEW As part of the dissolution of the Village of Hythe in June 2021, the County must review its number of councillors and divisions, and division boundaries before the 2025 municipal election. As a first step, the County will conduct a municipal census in 2024 to determine whether growth or decline has created a population imbalance among divisions. STAY INFORMED We invite County residents to stay informed as we undertake the municipal census, electoral boundary review, ‘Plan Your County’ and any other initiative. In addition to the following, I encourage you to reach out to your Councillor. •S ign in and view our Engage page to provide your feedback on current projects at www.countygp.ab.ca/engage