Sturgeon County has a series of plans that guide its work. These help us advance with intention.
The Strategic Plan is created by Council and informed by the community. It sets a vision and goals that guide decision-making over Council’s term in office from 2022 to 2025. Council identified strategic priorities, which are high-level actions that will help the County achieve its goals. Each of these priorities is supported by detailed actions and initiatives being undertaken.
Read on to learn how we’re taking decisive steps to make things happen and ensuring we remain future-ready to meet new opportunities and challenges as they arise.
Our Vision
Our Guiding Principles
Our Goals: Community Outcomes
The below community outcomes are goal statements that guide strategic decision-making; they help us evolve intentionally.
For each goal, Council identified strategic priorities – key action items – that will help us achieve our goals.
Our Actions: Strategic Priorities
The below actions are guiding our work between 2024 and 2027.
Diverse Business Hub
To reinforce Sturgeon County as an internationally competitive and supportive municipality to locate and conduct business.
Expected outcome benefits
- Internationally competitive to attract, grow and sustain diverse business
- Low cost, minimal red tape regulations
- Tenacious focus on new growth and innovation
- Predictable and stable external relationships
Key initiatives
- Industrial Heartland Utility Provision – Q3 2022 to Q4 2027
Explore the development of water access and distribution to the Industrial Heartland. - Villeneuve Airport Development Mobilization — Q4 2023 to Q3 2025
Facilitate the next steps in Villeneuve Airport Area development and advance regional partnerships and investment attraction.
Enhancements to core services
- Business Grant Access
Develop a business grant access program that empowers businesses by building skills, tools, and resources to access grant opportunities. - Economic Marketing Strategy
Enhance awareness of investment opportunities across the province, country, and internationally through strategy implementation. - Tourism and Economic Event Support
Enhance tourism services and direct support for major economic events that drive visitation and investment.
Meaningful Community Connections
To acknowledge and celebrate Sturgeon County’s history and relationships with Indigenous and other communities.
Expected outcome benefits
- Meaningful connections with Indigenous communities
- Engaging cultural, historic, and civic amenities
- Safe, welcoming, and diverse communities
- Small community feel and personal connections
- Strong community identity and pride
- Positive culture within the municipal organization
Key initiatives
- Joint Use Planning Agreements – Q2 2022 to Q1 2025
Develop Joint Use Planning Agreements with local school boards.
Enhancements to core services
- Community-Driven Playground Process
Formalize the process to support community-led playground initiatives. - Community Organization Support
Enhance support to non-profit, community organizations, and volunteerism. - Crime Prevention
Provide additional resources and support to communities around crime prevention. - Resident Support Access
Connect residents with enhanced external financial resources, social services, and government benefits and program support. - Recreation Support
Enhance recreation service support within neighbouring communities. - Truth and Reconciliation
Act on Call to Action 57 and provide education on Indigenous history and current reality within the workforce. - Winterfest
Host the first family-friendly Winterfest to showcase local vendors, entertainment, and community belonging. - Youth Advisory Committee
Bolster youth engagement and opportunities for youth within our community.
Safe, Beautiful Communities
To cultivate safe, beautiful, and complete communities.
Expected outcome benefits
- Beautiful, surprising places with high standards
- Engaging cultural, historic, and civic amenities
- Integrated natural spaces and trail systems
- Safe, welcoming, and diverse communities
- Comprehensive land use and infrastructure planning
- Conservation of natural areas and agricultural lands
Key initiatives
- Agriculture Master Plan — Q3 2023 to Q2 2025
Develop a master plan and strategic growth and diversification framework for the current and future agriculture sector. - Fire Master Plan — Q4 2023 to Q1 2025
Develop a 20-year master plan and strategic framework for fire services. - Municipal Development Plan: Regional Alignment —Q3 2023 to Q4 2024
Update Sturgeon County’s Municipal Development Plan in alignment with local strategic direction and regional policy. - Municipal Land Strategy — Q2 2023 to Q4 2024
Develop a municipal land strategy and a flexible model to assess land encroachment impacts.
Enhancements to core services
- Fire Services Effectiveness
Enhance fire service effectiveness with more robust water sources in rural areas and application of alternative fire suppression techniques. - Animal Control Expansion
Enhance animal control capacity with resource expansion and partnerships. - Enforcement Collaboration
Improve the safety of residents with a renewed collaborative relationship with enforcement partners. - Park and Trail Enhancement
Leverage data to strengthen operational maintenance and services within park and trail open spaces. - Firefighter Safety
Implement enhanced fire safety capabilities through improved Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus provision and enhanced training. - Open Space Magnification
Amplify open space information, route, and wayfinding. - Open Space Land Management
Create and assess inventory for land cover, environmentally sensitive areas, and park land encroachment. - Regional Fire and Enforcement Relationship
Improve intermunicipal relationships for an operationally effective and efficient regional fire and enforcement services system.
Clean Energy Economic Ecosystem
To support long-term transition to a low carbon economy, prioritizing hydrogen and other clean energy production.
Expected outcome benefits
- Internationally competitive to attract, grow, and sustain diverse business
- Clean air, land, and water
- Sustainable development
- Partnerships with industry and others to drive emission reductions
- Meaningful connections with Indigenous communities
Key initiatives
- Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) — Q2 2021 to Q4 2024
Provide access to financial and other resources for residents and business to make energy efficient building improvements. - Sturgeon Valley Hydrogen Development Initiation — Q4 2022 to Q1 2025
Position Sturgeon Valley South as a clean energy community, with complementary partnerships and test sites for home heating, fueling, and smart infrastructure. - Sturgeon Valley Hydrogen Development Implementation — Q2 2025 to Q4 2029
Implement Sturgeon Valley South clean energy test sites for home heating, fueling, and smart infrastructure.
Enhancements to core services
- Hydrogen Apprenticeship Development
Explore partnerships with trades schools to promote hydrogen apprenticeships.
Carbon Neutral Municipal Operations
To achieve carbon-neutral municipal operations by considering benchmarks that reflect Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) measures.
Expected outcome benefits
- Carbon neutral municipal practices
- Partnerships with industry and others to drive emission reductions
- Conservation of natural areas and agricultural lands
- Transparent and action-oriented decision-making based on sound rationale
- Integrated strategic and business planning
Key initiatives
- Clean Fuel Demonstration and Partnership — Q2 2023 to Q3 2025
Develop academic and industry partnerships to demonstrate clean fuel implementation within the community. - Municipal Fleet Dual Fuel Conversion Pilot — Q2 2025 to Q4 2027
Implement pilot program to strategically convert a small subset of vehicles and test the outcomes. - Record Digitization — Q4 2020 to Q4 2025
Implement a well-defined digitization plan that will convert paper to electronic files for improved efficiencies in access, use, storage, and management of records and will convert paper forms to digitized workflows.
Enhancements to core services
- Energy Management Strategy
Develop a strategy and policy to guide facility energy plans and decision-making. - Energy Monitoring
Utilize grant funding for facility sub-metering and monitoring dashboard to analyze energy use trends and roadmap specific improvements. - Energy Use Benchmarking
Benchmark County and utility facility energy use for regional comparison and improvement plan development. - Facility Energy Efficiency
Investigate and implement HVAC, building envelope, water heating, and lighting system efficiency improvements in County buildings. - Fire Service Environmental Impact
Utilize environmentally friendly foam application for controlling fire in industrial area and wildland. - Fire Services Tools and Equipment
Develop a plan to replace gas powered hand and rescue tools and equipment with battery operated solutions. - Renewable Energy System
Investigate a renewable energy system plan at County Centre.
Sustainable, Thoughtful Decisions
To embed thoughtful long-range financial and operational planning into decision-making processes.
Expected outcome benefits
- Transparent and action-oriented decision-making based on sound rationale
- Future-focused thinking to proactively respond to emerging opportunities and challenges
- Long-term financial planning and sustainability
- Careful debt and reserve stewardship
- Integrated strategic and business planning
Key initiatives
- Enterprise Resource Planning — Q1 2023 to Q1 2024
Plan and receive approval on a multi-year core system replacement project. - Facility Master Plan — Q1 2023 to Q2 2025
Complete a comprehensive evaluation of existing County facility needs and develop a long-range growth plan. - Financial Reserve Framework Analysis — Q1 2021 to Q4 2024
Conduct a comprehensive long-range financial plan review and analysis of the organization’s financial reserve framework, reserve classifications, and target balances. - Financial System Replacement — Q2 2024 to Q4 2027
Execute a multi-year core financial system replacement project. - Off-Site Levy Policy Review — Q1 2020 to Q1 2024
Review and develop recommendations on updating the organization’s Off-Site Levy Bylaws, processes, policies, and frameworks. - Regulated Assessment Review — Q3 2021 to Q4 2024
Complete a technical review and audit of the non-residential assessment process on transparency and equitability. - Strategic Plan Renewal — Q1 2025 to Q1 2026
Review and update Council’s Strategic Plan. - Sturgeon Valley Operational Impact Review — Q3 2026 to Q3 2028
Complete an analysis of program, staff, and community implications associated with Sturgeon Valley growth. - Sturgeon Valley Urban Facility Review — Q2 2025 to Q3 2026
Prepare a forecast for urban facility requirements in the Sturgeon Valley. - Villeneuve Airport Capital Plan — Q1 2024 to Q4 2024
Advance capital planning to facilitate the next steps in Villeneuve Airport Area development.
Enhancements to core services
- Master Plan Inventory
Implement Master Plan Inventory roadmap and process. - Open Space Funding Alternatives
Leverage cost sharing and alternative grant and partnership fund sources for open space initiatives.
Modern, Adaptive Administration
To prioritize municipal workforce and process and policy modernization that supports a productive and future-ready organization.
Expected outcome benefits
- Engaged and effective people – Council, Administration, and Volunteers
- Continuous learning and improvement mindset
- Future-focused thinking to proactively respond to emerging opportunities and challenges
- Clear and supportive governance processes
Key initiatives
- Communications Audit — Q1 2024 to Q4 2024
Complete an audit of County communications tools and techniques application. - Content Management and Collaboration — Q1 2022 to Q4 2025
Implement SharePoint as the corporate records management solution and develop standards, guidelines, processes, and employee training. - Elected Official Remuneration Review — Q1 2024 to Q3 2024
Establish and support task force to review Council remuneration in accordance with Policy. - Engagement Framework — Q1 2024 to Q4 2024
Develop standards, tools, and templates for consistent and thoughtful external engagement. - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Directive — Q1 2024 to Q4 2024
Develop an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Directive that codifies the organization’s commitment to a work environment free of harassment and discrimination. - Digital Permitting System — Q4 2022 to Q1 2025
Implement a digital platform for planning and development submissions.
Enhancements to core services
- Contract Management Centralization
Implement an improved contract management access, maintenance, and execution system. - Code of Conduct Policy
Review and update employee, contractor, County Board and Committee, and Council member codes of conduct. - Employee Performance Evaluation
Recommend and implement an updated employee performance evaluation tool to align with identified compensable factors. - Fire Service Capability
Enhance fire service training techniques and capabilities in industrial area and wildland. - Information Systems and Preparedness
Implement disaster recovery, Information Technology, business continuity, and cyber security improvement initiatives. - Employee Noise Management
Incorporate new noise hazard element in the Health and Safety Management System.
Reliable, Effective Infrastructure
To enhance local broadband, emergency, transportation, and recreation infrastructure.
Expected outcome benefits
- Modern broadband and digital capabilities
- Reliable and effective infrastructure
- Integrated natural spaces and trail systems
- Safe, welcoming, and diverse communities
- Commitment to high quality of life
- Predictable and stable external relationships
- Continuous learning and improvement mindset
- Asset management and performance measurement
Key initiatives
- Asset Management — Q4 2019 to Q4 2025
Implement utility, agriculture, and pavement preservation and evaluation asset management capabilities. - Broadband — Q1 2024 to Q4 2027
Prepare a recommendation and implement Council direction on expanding high-speed internet access in areas outside of Phase One. - County Park Feasibility Study — Q1 2024 to Q2 2025
Complete a delivery and park provision feasibility study on neighbourhood and County parks. - General Municipal Servicing Standard (GMSS) — Q4 2021 to Q1 2024
Develop an updated GMSS that identifies infrastructure construction design parameters that consider forecasted growth. - Open Space Asset Management — Q1 2024 to Q1 2025
Develop an asset management plan and asset inventory for all County open spaces. - Parks Bylaw — Q1 2024 to Q2 2025
Develop new parks bylaw to address the use of all County parks, trails, and open spaces.
Enhancements to core services
- Multi-Year Capital Plan
Continue to refine the 3-year Capital Plan process. - Open Space Initiative Engagement
Implement public engagement techniques for every open space capital improvement. - Paved Road Repair
Improve asphalt repair time and equipment needs by utilizing new technology and process techniques.
Diversified Revenue and Partnerships
To realize opportunities for alternative revenue generation and shared efficiencies through innovative new models and partnerships.
Expected outcome benefits
- Tenacious focus on new growth and innovation
- Alternative revenue generation and service delivery models
- Comprehensive land use and infrastructure planning
- Circular economy opportunities
- Future-focused thinking to proactively respond to emerging opportunities and challenges
Key initiatives
- Waste to Resource Framework – Q1 2023 to Q2 2025
Develop a regional Waste to Resource program that manages and converts waste into usable products. - Waste to Resource Implementation – Q2 2025 to Q4 2026
Commence capital construction of a regional Waste to Resource facility.
Enhancements to core services
- Sturgeon Regional Partnership
Develop shared efficiencies and cost-saving partnerships within the Sturgeon County sub-region.
Economical, Desirable Services
To ensure residents will be offered cost-effective and highly valued services.
Expected outcome benefits
- Commitment to high quality of life
- Healthy and resilient
- Ongoing community consultation and engagement
- Quality, cost-effective service delivery
- Continuous learning and improvement mindset
- Integrated strategic and business planning
Key initiatives
- Fleet and Facility Services Optimization Review — Q1 2024 to Q4 2024
Complete an optimization and future growth review on Fleet and Facility Services. - Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks (ICFs) — Q4 2023 to Q2 2025
Renew collaboration agreements with neighboring municipalities, as required by provincial legislation. - Intermunicipal Recreation Agreements — Q1 2024 to Q4 2025
Engage with municipal neighbours on future recreation agreements.
Enhancements to core services
- Arboriculture and Horticulture
Develop and expand the arboriculture and horticulture programs to align more with urban neighbours. - Annual Planter Program
Expand the offerings of the annual planter program. - Development Enforcement
Review and increase enforcement support to residents, to address safety and beautification needs across the community. - Development Variance
Review the development variance process to optimize timeliness, cost efficiency, customer service, and overall effectiveness. - Integrated Development Service
Expand and improve engineering services to meet the needs of growing and higher density development areas. - Utility Smart Meter
Facilitate real-time meter reading, anomaly investigation, and proactive communication with residents. - Utility Meter Self-Service
Implement the phased rollout of a utility customer self-service metering portal. - Utility Service Request
Launch utility service request system where residents can enter requests and monitor progress. - Winter Road Maintenance
Improve winter road conditions by utilizing new technology and enhanced maintenance processes.
Our Plans
Other Strategies and Plans
- Municipal Development Plan
- Land Use Bylaw
- Budget
- Alberta Industrial Heartland Association (AIHA) Strategic Plan
- Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board (EMRB) Growth Plan
- Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board (EMRB) Servicing Plan
- Edmonton Global Strategic Plan
- Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB Plan
- Municipal Government Act