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County Council maintains services; prioritizes roads and emergency preparedness in 2024 final budget 

County of Grande Prairie 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 increase translates to approximately $58.69 annually, or $4.89 per month on a residential property valued at $482,000. 

The $223.5million budget includes an estimated $107 million for general operations, $6.5 million for debt payments and $110 million for capital investments including $54.3 million for projects continued from previous years. 

“A growing number of residents told us in our 2023 Citizen Satisfaction Survey that they receive good value for taxes,” said Reeve Bob Marshall. “For the past three years, we have held the line on the municipal portion of taxes and used reserve funding to balance the budget, and we hope our residents will be understanding that inflationary pressures are affecting us all. The moderate municipal tax increase is vital to maintaining our current service delivery levels to ensure our residents continue to experience a high quality of life.”   

The County continues to contend with millions in lost revenue following provincial changes to assessment rules. With the pause on taxes for new well and pipeline projects, over the past four years the County has lost an estimated $12.7 million, in addition to an estimated $9 million due to the eliminated oil well drilling tax. The County is also currently grappling with nearly $984,000 in unpaid property taxes from the oil and gas industry in addition to $382,000which has been written off.  

A few of the services, programs and projects Council approved for 2024 include: 

  • Approximately 63percent of the capital budget is going toward road and bridge projects 

  • $5.4 million in grants to various organizations for recreation, health, community, culture, seniors and special needs transportation, and libraries 

  • $3 million in transfers to the provincial government for RCMP policing costs  

  • $2.4 million in Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) Contributions, cost sharing agreements with other municipalities, including the City of Grande Prairie and the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley 

  • Council invested $483,140 for 2024 to enhance the County’s fire response, including a second Fire Prevention Officer position, six decontamination washing machines, a light fire service vehicle, and four full-time firefighters. This is in addition to the $750,000 approved during interim budget to fund a new Fire Prevention Officer position and eight full-time firefighter positions.  

  • Installation of television services at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital 

  • Investing in home support to respond to increased need 

  • Increased Parkland Patrol resources. 

Find out more about the 2024 operating and capital budget in the attached Budget Highlights. 

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Additional information: Budget Highlights attached 

Media Contact: 
Communications & Marketing Department 
communications@countygp.ab.ca  

 

Budget Highlights 

 Capital Budget 

The 2024 capital budget is $110 million, including $52 million for projects carried forward from previous years. 

Approximately $33.2 million is being invested in new capital road and bridge projects. 

Grant funding is estimated at $26.8 million, including an estimated $6.4 million Canada Community Building Fund, an estimated $12.3 million in funding from Local Government Fiscal Framework Grant, and an estimated $5.7 million Alberta Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program grant. 

The following is a list of road and bridge projects planned for the 2024 season: 

  • $1 million, cost-shared equally with industry, for a $2 million upgrade to Range Road 100 from Highway 667 to Highway 43 – base paving  

  • $400,000toconduct a geotechnical investigation at Aspen Ridge, Resources Road, and access to Pipestone Campground and Wapiti Gardens 

  • Pavement overlay of: 

    • Crossroads South Industrial Subdivision – 158 Avenue, 163 Avenue, 94 Street, and 95 Street – 2.57 km 

    • Range Road 30 from Highway 43 South – 4.83 km

    • Range Road 71 and Township Road 711 – 4.56 km 

    • Range Road 63 from City limits to south of 162 Avenue 1.5 km 

In addition to road and bridge construction, the capital budget includes: 

  • $2.2 million in culvert and bridge replacement projects 

  • $950,000 to replace the water sources for three recreation facilities in Hythe 

  • $550,000 to upgrade the Hythe water system  

  • $504,000 for Five Mile Hall water and sewer servicing 

  • $62,000 for facility improvements at the Crosslink County Sportsplex 

  • An additional $30,000 for improvements at the Old Bezanson Townsite campground and day use area  

  • $20,000 for fencing to protect the Hythe Willow Grove Water Treatment Plant 

 

Operating Budget 

The operating budget for 2024 includes: 

  • $6.3 million in grants to various organizations for recreation, health, community, culture, seniors and special needs transportation, and libraries 

  • $2.4 million, in Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) Contributions, cost sharing agreements with other municipalities, including the City of Grande Prairie and the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley 

  • $1.2 million to the City of Grande Prairie for the revenue sharing agreement which has the purpose of fostering regional development (share of municipal tax revenue – 20 per cent from the co-generational facility and 10 per cent on any new commercial/industrial development in areas serviced by Aquatera)   

  • $100,000 for the Hamlet Area Structure Plan Incentive Program 

  • $80,000 for a study to determine the size and location of a sewer lagoon system that can service the Hamlet of Bezanson for the next 25 years. 

  • New positions include Soil Conservation in the Agriculture department and a Community Safety Coordinator position in Regional Enforcement Services 

  • $50,000 for a study to assess the Hythe lagoon  

  • $35,000 to the Bezanson Agricultural Society to supplement the existing Executive Director position for a one-year trial term 

  • $20,000 to the Hythe & District Recreation Society 

  • $15,000 addition to the $5,000 Rio Grande recurring operating assistance grant (total of $20,000)