Council Meeting Highlights — Regular Council Meeting February 26, 2026

The items below focus on key decisions and issues that have emerged from the February 26, 2026, Regular Council Meeting.

Key Items on the Agenda

Council Business

• Council reviewed and adopted meeting minutes from:
  • February 11, 2026 County Budget Meeting
  • February 12, 2026 County Council Meeting

Delegations & Presentations

• Council received the following presentations:
  • STARS Municipal Presentation – Glenda Farnden a municipal liaison of STARS — Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service, addressed Council to provide an orientation on the municipal program that the County is engaged in with STARS. The County is currently funding $2 per capita through to 2028. Ms. Farnden spoke to the features and benefits of the program and in appreciation of Council’s continued support.
  • Parkland RCMP Presentation – Corporal Yves Djomdi Djarsia of the Parkland RCMP detachment presented crime data for 2024 and 2025, discussing areas of concern and improvements and highlighting efforts to improve collaboration with Community Peace Officers to be more proactive in diverting bylaw calls.

Public Works & Operations

• Summer Haul Gravel Rate – Council voted to set the Summer Gravel Haul Rate at 11% and directed Administration to bring back a revised policy that includes setting haul rates twice annually.

Assessment & Taxation

• Assessment Review Board Officials Appointment – Council moved to appoint members to the Assessment Review Board, including chairman, clerk, and several panelists. This is a standard procedure to ensure the board is properly constituted for its duties.

Community Engagement

• Council Deferred Decision on Fire Apparatus Capital Budget Expenditures – County Fire Chief Randy Schroeder presented a detailed plan for the fire department’s capital budget, outlining the current fleet status and further apparatus needs. The discussion was deferred to the upcoming budget meetings for further review and consultation.

Bylaws & Policies

• First Reading Given to Bylaw 27-2019-01-2026 to Amend the Mayerthorpe Intermunicipal Development Plan
  Council heard a proposed amendment to the current Mayerthorpe Intermunicipal Plan to change a land designation from Urban Residential (UR) to Country Residential (CR) to allow for larger proposed parcels. A joint public hearing with the Town of Mayerthorpe will be scheduled for March 26, 2026.
• Adoption of Bylaws:
  • Bylaw 03-2026 Sangudo Utility
    Council proceeded with second and third readings of the Sangudo Utility Bylaw.
  • Bylaw 04-2026 Solid Waste Utility
    This bylaw also received second and final reading. Passing into effect, the 2026 Solid Waste Utility Fee.
  • No public appeals or objections were reported regarding either bylaw.
• Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Performance Review Process 01-018
  Council received and adopted a new administrative policy for the performance review of the CAO ensuring accountability and effective governance.
• Council Administration Communication Policy 01-019
  Crucial for ensuring all communication and request flow through the CAO, this policy aims to efficiently track requests from both Council and the public, deploy the appropriate staff, and manage the workload of the Administration.
• Adopting a New Financial Reporting Policy 03-050-022
  Council adopted the proposed financial reporting policy to ensure regular and consistent quarterly updates. This policy aims to streamline reporting, making it user-friendly for Council, and will be shared with the public—building accountability and financial oversight.

Chief Administrative Officer:

• Governance and Priorities Committee Meetings
  Council voted to abolish the Governance and Priorities Meetings effective immediately, further directing Administration to amend Procedure Bylaw 20-2025 to reflect this change.
• Received Updates on Current Capital Projects:
  Council heard updates on current projects including:
  Operations: Spruce Lane Estates and TWP 540 (RGE RD 31-32) in construction phases, and RGE RD 33, TWP RD 540 (near Kilini Creek) both in designing phase, and Cold Storage Building fire replacement projectFire Engines and Fire: Exhaust Scrubbers East End Station, Fire Engine Type 3 – Station 4, Crew Truck – East Station and Fire Engine Type 1 – East Station
  Infrastructure: Bridge files 9350, 02079, and 09312

County Council & Committee Updates:
Council received updates on recent meetings, conferences, and community engagements from each Councillor:

• Councillor Knysh presented an overview provided by Lake Isle and Lac Ste. Anne Stewardship Society (LILSA)
• Deputy Reeve Johnson showcased a map outlining the West Inter Lake District (WILD) Water Commission’s regional water distribution system.
• Council is extending invitations to Lake Isle and Lac Ste. Anne Stewardship Society (LILSA), North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance Committee, Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance, and the LILSA Water Quality & Water Quantity (WQ2) Project, West Inter Lake District (WILD) Water Commission, and Highway 43 East Waste Commission to conduct presentations to County Council.

County Councillor February Engagements:
Division 1 Councillor Barry Voltner:
Feb 3 – County Finance and Commissions Orientations
Feb 4 – County Strategic Planning Session
Feb 5 – County Governance & Priorities Meeting
Feb 5 – Public Works 101 Orientation
Feb 6 – Campground, Fire Services, and Agricultural Services Orientations
Feb 9 – Pembina Zone 3 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Meeting
Feb 11 – County Budget Meeting
Feb 12 – County Council Meeting
Feb 19 – Onoway Regional Medical Clinic (ORMC) Orientation Meeting 
Feb 26 – Council Meeting 
Feb 27 – Budget Meeting

Division 2 Councillor Mike Derksen:
Feb 2 – Lac La Nonne Enhancement and Protection Association (LEPA) Meeting
Feb 3 – County Finance and Commissions Orientations
Feb 4 – County Strategic Planning Session
Feb 5 – County Governance & Priorities Meeting
Feb 5 – Public Works 101 Orientation
Feb 6 – Campground, Fire Services, and Agricultural Services Orientations
Feb 9 – Pembina Zone 3 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Meeting
Feb 11 – County Budget Meeting
Feb 12 – County Council Meeting
Feb 18 – Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Webinar 
Feb 19 – Onoway Regional Medical Clinic (ORMC) Orientation Meeting 
Feb 20 – Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance Webinar 
Feb 25 – East End Bus Society Meeting
Feb 26 – County Council Meeting 
Feb 27 – Budget Meeting 

Division 3 Deputy Reeve Dale Johnson:
Feb 3 – County Finance and Commissions Orientations
Feb 4 – County Strategic Planning Session
Feb 5 – Governance & Priorities Meeting
Feb 5 – Public Works 101 Orientation
Feb 6 – Campground, Fire Services, and Agricultural Services Orientations
Feb 9 – Pembina Zone 3 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Meeting
Feb 10 – West Inter Lake District (WILD) Water Commission Meeting
Feb 11 – County Budget Meeting
Feb 12 – County Council Meeting
Feb 23 – West Inter Lake District (WILD) Water Commission Meeting
Feb 24 – Highway 43 East Waste Commission Meeting
Feb 26 – County Council Meeting 
Feb 27 – Budget Meeting

Division 4 Councillor Ed Gifford:
Feb 1 – Provincial Day of Snowmobiling at Stanger Hills Staging Area
Feb 2 – Darwell Ag Society Meeting
Feb 3 – County Finance and Commissions Orientations
Feb 4 – County Strategic Planning Session
Feb 5 – Governance & Priorities Meeting
Feb 5 – Public Works 101 Orientation
Feb 5 – Cherhill Legion Meeting
Feb 6 – Campground, Fire Services, and Agricultural Services Orientations
Feb 9 – Darwell & District Recreation Association Meeting 
Feb 11 – County Budget Meeting
Feb 12 – County Council Meeting
Feb 18 – West End Bus Committee
Feb 18 – Ste. Anne Emergency Response Centre – Building & Operational Committee Meeting
Feb 19 – Community Futures Yellowhead East Meeting
Feb 26 – Council Meeting
Feb 27 – Budget Meeting

Division 5 Councillor Bo Knysh:
Feb 3 – County Finance and Commissions Orientations
Feb 4 – County Strategic Planning Session
Feb 5 – Governance & Priorities Meeting
Feb 5 – Public Works 101 Orientation
Feb 6 – Campground, Fire Services, and Agricultural Services Orientations
Feb 11 – County Budget Meeting
Feb 12 – County Council Meeting
Feb 17 – Lake Isle and Lac Ste. Anne Stewardship Society (LILSA) and Water Quality & Water Quantity (WQ2) Project Touchpoint Meeting
Feb 24 – Highway 43 East Waste Commission
Feb 26 – Council Meeting
Feb 27 – Budget Meeting

Division 6 Reeve Jurgen Preugschas:
Feb 2 – Reeve/CAO meeting
Feb 3 – County Finance and Commissions Orientations
Feb 3 – Town Hall Meeting in Greencourt
Feb 4  – County Strategic Planning Session
Feb 5 – Governance & Priorities Meeting
Feb 5 – Public Works 101 Orientation
Feb 6 – Campground, Fire Services, and Agricultural Services Orientations
Feb 9 – Pembina Zone 3 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Meeting
Feb 9 – CAO/Reeve Meeting
Feb 11 – County Budget Meeting
Feb 11 – Lac Ste. Anne County/Town of Mayerthorpe Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) Committee Meeting
Feb 12 – County Council Meeting
Feb 27 – Budget Meeting

Division 7 Councillor Jill Stoney:
Feb 3 – County Finance and Commissions Orientations
Feb 4 – County Strategic Planning Session
Feb 5 – Governance & Priorities Meeting
Feb 5 – Public Works 101 Orientation
Feb 6 – Campground, Fire Services, and Agricultural Services Orientations
Feb 11 – County Budget Meeting
Feb 11 – Lac Ste. Anne County/Town of Mayerthorpe Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) Committee Meeting
Feb 12 – County Council Meeting 
Feb 18 – West End Bus Committee Meeting
Feb 18 – Ste. Anne Emergency Response Centre – Building & Operational Committee Meeting
Feb 25 – Lac Ste. Anne Foundation Meeting 
Feb 26 – Council Meeting 
Feb 27 – Budget Meeting

Acknowledgement of Correspondence Received:
Council received a letter from Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland MLA Shane Getson in appreciation and acknowledgement of Lac Ste. Anne County’s missive regarding the proposed closure of the Lacombe Research and Development Centre.

Looking Ahead

Residents are encouraged to stay informed by attending public meetings in-person or online, viewing meeting recordings, and reviewing Council Highlights, Council Meeting Minutes, and future Council Agendas.