Council Meeting Highlights — Regular Council Meeting March 26, 2026

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

Key Items on the Agenda

Council Business
Council reviewed and adopted meeting minutes from:

• March 12, 2026 County Council Meeting

Public Input
Council received the following presentation:

• Brad Javorsky, President of the Lac Ste. Anne Ratepayers Association addressed concerns with the Darwell Lagoon Transmission Line Phase B - Part II Northeast Lagoon Expansion Borrowing Bylaw.

Operations:
Public Works Operations Report
Council heard work order summaries, foreman reports, etc. as presented in the monthly Operations Report. The report was accepted for information, and Council will reassess reporting frequency upon appointment of a new GM of Operations.

Planning & Development
Council tabled discussions on Review of Municipal Development Plan 23-2014 in response to Pre-Application Meeting for Proposed Subdivision Application - SE 03-56-01 W5M, to create one (1) 41.8 acre parcel from a previously subdivided quarter-section.

Public Hearing Held for Proposed Amendments to the Mayerthorpe Intermunicipal Development Plan
A joint public hearing was held regarding amendments to the Mayerthorpe Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP). The presentations for Lac Ste. Anne County Bylaw 27-2019-01-2026 and Town of Mayerthorpe Bylaw 1071-01/2026 to amend the Mayerthorpe IDP — allowing for feedback before Council consideration. Council accepted for information.

Delegations and Presentations

Council accepted the following presentations for information:

• A proposed subdivision application presentation from Lyle Quintal located at S.E. 03-56-01-W5M — asking that the Area Structure Plan requirement be waived for this project.
• A Sangudo Speedway concept proposal from Mandy Reid and Chris Wilson asking to engage in a 10-year lease to rebuild the Sangudo Speedway, with no funding requirements.
• An animal intake partnership proposal from Angela Pauls to become the County’s municipal intake partnership for stray dogs on property located at NW 33-56-03 W5M.

Corporate Services Request to Transfer Funds
Council moved to approve a 2025 Operating Budget Reserve Transfer of $576,889 to the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund.

Community Services Request for Appointment of Auditor
Council addressed appointing Ms. Brenda DeBock as financial auditor for the Lac Ste. Anne County Library Board.

Bylaws and Policies:
Council Adopted Bylaw 27-2019-01-2026 to Amend Mayerthorpe Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP). This bylaw updates the shared planning framework between Lac Ste. Anne County and the Town of Mayerthorpe.

What it means:

• Reinforces a collaborative approach to regional growth and long-term planning
• Both municipalities must pass matching bylaws for the amendment to take effect

Wastewater Utility Rate Bylaw 05-2026 was Given First Reading and Administration was directed to bring back more information on private vs public campgrounds and a complete cost analysis of charges.

What it means:

• Sets how much users pay for wastewater services
• Supports ongoing operations, maintenance, and future upgrades

Council Gave First Reading to Bylaw 06-2026 Wastewater Tax intended to fund the costs incurred by the County in the operations, maintenance, and expansion of wastewater functions within the County.  

What it means:

• Implements a tax based on sewage disposal type
• If passed, the rates will remain unchanged for 2026.

First Reading Given to Bylaw 07-2026 Cherhill Special Tax to cover a portion of the capital cost of sewage facilities.

• Only applicable to the properties in the Hamlet of Cherhill benefitting from the sewage transmission line and lift station
• Supports local infrastructure costs rather than spreading them County-wide

Special Recreation Services Tax Bylaw 08-2026 was Given First Reading to initiate the bylaw process in establishing a tax to support recreation activities and facilities in the region.

What it means:

• Helps fund recreation programs, amenities, and shared facilities
• Supports quality of life and community well-being
• Contributes to regional recreation partnerships 

Council Gave First Reading for Borrowing Bylaw 11-2026 for the construction of the Darwell Lagoon Transmission Line Phase B: Part II – Northeast Lagoon Expansion Borrowing Bylaw $1,600,493 for a term of twenty-five (25) years.

What it means:

• This authorizes the County to borrow funds for the major wastewater infrastructure project to enable construction for the next phase of the Darwell lagoon transmission system
• It will be advertised for 2 consecutive weeks, with a 15-day petition period

Council Approved First Reading of the Property Tax Rate Bylaw 12-2026
This Bylaw proposes the following tax rate decreases: 2.00% decrease to Residential classes and 2.75% decrease to Small Business and Non-Residential/Linear

What it means:

• Council sets the municipal property tax rate each year
• The 2026 Capital & Operating Budgets will be balanced based on these rates.

CAO:
Council’s Strategic Plan
As the visionary setting body of Lac Ste. Anne County — Council as a whole has developed this plan and its guiding principles as a decision-making framework for the next four years. Administration's role is to implement Council’s priorities.

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

Division 1 Councillor Barry Voltner
March 2 – Financial Statement Orientation - Meet the Auditor
March 4 – Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) Organizational Meeting and regular MPC Meeting 
March 5 – County Communications and Grants Orientations and meeting with MP Michael Cooper
March 12 – County Council Meeting
March 16 – Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Spring Convention, including meeting with MLA RJ Sigurdson, meeting with MLA Mike Ellis, and meeting with MLA Grant Hunter
March 17 – RMA Spring Convention, including meeting with MLA Joseph Schow
March 18 – RMA Spring Convention, including Alberta Legislature Question Period and meeting with MLA Nathan Neudorf  
March 19 – RMA Spring Convention
March 20 – County Budget Meeting Deliberations 
March 26 – County Council Meeting 

Division 2 Councillor Mike Derksen
March 2 – Financial Statement Orientation - Meet the Auditor
March 4 – East End Bus Society Meeting
March 5 – County Communications and Grants Orientations and meeting with MP Michael Cooper
March 6 – Meeting in Stony Plain with tiny home builders
March 11 – Sandy Lake Water Shed Meeting 
March 12 – County Council Meeting
March 16 – Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Spring Convention, including meeting with MLA RJ Sigurdson, meeting with MLA Mike Ellis, and meeting with MLA Grant Hunter
March 17 – RMA Spring Convention, including meeting with MLA Joseph Schow
March 18 – RMA Spring Convention, including Alberta Legislature Question Period and meeting with MLA Nathan Neudorf  
March 20 – County Budget Meeting Deliberations 
March 25 – East End Bus Society AGM Meeting
March 26 – County Council Meeting

Division 3 Deputy Reeve Dale Johnson
March 2 – Financial Statement Orientation - Meet the Auditor
March 4 – Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) Organizational Meeting and regular MPC Meeting 
March 5 – Communications and Grant Orientations and meeting with MP Michael Cooper
March 12 – County Council Meeting
March 16 – Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Spring Convention, including meeting with MLA RJ Sigurdson, meeting with MLA Mike Ellis, and meeting with MLA Grant Hunter
March 17 – RMA Spring Convention, including meeting with MLA Joseph Schow
March 18 – RMA Spring Convention, including Alberta Legislature Question Period and meeting with MLA Nathan Neudorf  
March 20 – County Budget Meeting Deliberations 
March 26 – County Council Meeting 

Division 4 Councillor Ed Gifford 
March 2 – Financial Statement Orientation - Meet the Auditor
March 4 – Community Futures Yellowhead East Virtual Training – Board Operations
March 5 – County Communications and Grants Orientations and Meeting with MP Michael Cooper
March 5 – Community Futures Yellowhead East Virtual Training – Legal Responsibilities
March 9 – Darwell & District Recreation Association Meeting
March 9 – Friends of the Darwell Library Meeting
March 10 – Agricultural Service Board Meeting and ALUS Meeting
March 10 – Community Futures Yellowhead East Virtual Training – Lending
March 12 – County Council Meeting
March 12 – Community Futures Yellowhead East Virtual Training – Strategic Loan and Funding Management 
March 18 – RMA Spring Convention, including Alberta Legislature Question Period and meeting with MLA Nathan Neudorf  
March 19 – Community Futures Yellowhead East Regular Board Meeting
March 20 – County Budget Meeting Deliberations 
March 26 – County Council Meeting

Division 5 Councillor Bo Knysh
March 2 – Financial Statement Orientation - Meet the Auditor
March 4 – Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) Organizational Meeting and regular MPC Meeting 
March 5 – County Communications and Grants Orientations and Meeting with MP Michael Cooper
March 12 – County Council Meeting
March 16 – Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Spring Convention, including meeting with MLA RJ Sigurdson, meeting with MLA Mike Ellis, and meeting with MLA Grant Hunter
March 17 – RMA Spring Convention, including meeting with MLA Joseph Schow
March 17 – Lake Isle and Lac Ste. Anne Stewardship Society (LILSA) and Water Quality & Water Quantity (WQ2) Project Touchpoint Meeting (Zoom Meeting) 
March 18 – RMA Spring Convention, including Alberta Legislature Question Period and meeting with MLA Nathan Neudorf  
March 19 – RMA Spring Convention 
March 20 – County Budget Meeting Deliberations 
March 26 – County Council Meeting 

Division 6 Reeve Jurgen Preugschas
March 2 – Financial Statement Orientation - Meet the Auditor
March 2 – CAO/Reeve Meeting
March 4 – Lac Ste. Anne County Library Board Meeting
March 5 – County Communications and Grants Orientations and Meeting with MP Michael Cooper
March 9 – CAO/Reeve Meeting
March 10 – Agricultural Service Board Meeting and ALUS Meeting
March 12 – County Council Meeting
March 16 – Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Spring Convention, including meeting with MLA RJ Sigurdson, meeting with MLA Mike Ellis, and meeting with MLA Grant Hunter
March 17 – Evening dinner meeting with Alberta Beach Mayor Tara Elwood
March 17 – RMA Spring Convention, including meeting with MLA Joseph Schow
March 17 – Evening dinner meeting with the County of Barrhead Council members
March 18 – RMA Spring Convention, including Alberta Legislature Question Period and meeting with MLA Nathan Neudorf
March 20 – County Budget Meeting Deliberations 

Division 7 Councillor Jill Stoney
March 2 – Financial Statement Orientation - Meet the Auditor
March 4 – Lac Ste. Anne County Library Board Meeting
March 5 – County Communications and Grants Orientations and Meeting with MP Michael Cooper
March 10 – Agricultural Service Board Meeting and ALUS Meeting
March 12 – County Council Meeting
March 16 – Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Spring Convention, including meeting with MLA RJ Sigurdson
March 17 – RMA Spring Convention, including meeting with MLA Joseph Schow
March 18 – RMA Spring Convention, including Alberta Legislature Question Period and meeting with MLA Nathan Neudorf
March 20 – County Budget Meeting Deliberations 
March 21 – Towaw Cattle Co bull sale
March 22 – George Pegg Botanic Garden Society Meeting 
March 23 – Division 7 Town Hall Meeting in Sangudo
March 25 – Beachwave Park Stakeholders Meeting
March 26 – County Council Meeting 

A special note that Councillor Stoney hosted a Town Hall Meeting on Monday, March 23, with approximately 50 people in attendance, offering information updates, then opened the floor for a question-and-answer period. This was a great event with respectful discussions and take-aways for both County Council and public participants. Councillor Stoney is planning to host another one this Fall.

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.