Here are the highlights from Sturgeon County Council’s regular meeting on April 9, 2024.
Mayor Hnatiw proclaimed April 13 and 14 as Alberta Get Outdoors Weekend, a weekend to get outdoors in Sturgeon County, whether on trails or in parks, to enjoy the health and lifestyle benefits associated with active living and April 14 to 20 as National Volunteer Week, which is celebrated across the country to recognize volunteers and the tremendous impact they have in the community.
2024 Tax Rates Set
Council passed Bylaw 1658/24 and set the 2024 tax rates, which reflect a municipal tax rate increase of 1.37 per cent. This is a reduction from the preliminary tax rate set of 2.13 per cent in December. Since that time, there were increased assessment values and an operating surplus from 2023, which enabled a lower tax rate increase. This year, a Sturgeon County homeowner with a property valued at $500,000 will pay $26 more in municipal taxes in 2024. A business valued at $1 million will pay $148 more.
Property tax notices will be mailed in mid May, and tax payments are due by June 28. Learn more at sturgeoncounty.ca/taxes
In addition to collecting municipal taxes, Sturgeon County must collect funds for the provincial government to fund regional services, like education and seniors’ lodging. These amounts are set by the province and are collected by Sturgeon County; the County does not control the amount charged or decide how those amounts are distributed in the region. Learn more about education property taxes.
Land Use Matters
Council did not support Bylaw 1644/23, which proposed to redistrict nearly 15 hectares of land near ProNorth Industrial Park from AG – Agriculture district to REC – Recreational district so the applicant could pursue development of a golf driving range.
Proposed Sturgeon Valley Development
Council gave first reading of Bylaw 1648/24, which proposes to redistrict approximately 6.4 hectares of NE-13-54-25-W4M from AG – Agriculture District to R7 – Transitional Valley Residential District and PU – Public Utility District in the proposed Estates of Tuscany development in the Sturgeon Valley Core. The developer submitted this redistricting request along with the proposed Estates of Tuscany Outline Plan, which when fully built proposes 280 residential lots.
A statutory public hearing will be scheduled to allow landowners to provide their feedback before Council considers the proposed bylaw further. A non-statutory public hearing will also be scheduled on the proposed Estates of Tuscany Outline Plan to receive feedback from affected parties. Details of the public hearings will be posted on the public notices page on the Sturgeon County website, on social media, in local newspapers and road signs.
Alcomdale Bulk Water Receiving Station Relocation Contract Award
Council approved additional funding from Utility Capital Reserves to support the Alcomdale Bulk Water Receiving Station Relocation Project, and awarded the contract for the project to Alpha Construction Inc.
Aerial Fire Apparatus Contract Award
Council awarded the contract for the aerial fire apparatus to Commercial Emergency Equipment Co. This apparatus will provide more effective firefighting while reducing damage to residential and industrial infrastructure during firefighting efforts. The apparatus can also be used for high-angle rescues and ice rescues, as needed.
Chief Administrative Officer Performance Evaluation Policy
Council approved changes to the CAO Performance Evaluation Policy as recommended by the Governance and Council Services Committee. These changes clarify the purpose statement in the policy, align the CAO performance evaluation process with the calendar year, and provide additional flexibility on the conduct of the evaluation on an annual basis.
Next Council Meeting
The next Sturgeon County Council meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on April 23, 2024. Future agendas and past meeting minutes can be found online.
Fast facts about land use bylaw amendments and public hearings
View our webpage about land use planning and community engagement.
- At Sturgeon County, before Council gets public feedback on a proposed land use bylaw amendment, it gives the proposed bylaw first reading. This does not mean Council supports the bylaw; this allows the proposed bylaw to go to the next stage of the bylaw process, which is gathering public input.
- Public hearings, along with other public notices, are promoted on the public notices page on the Sturgeon County website as well as in local newspapers, on social media, and on road signs in accordance with the Public Notification Bylaw.
- Public hearings are open to any members of the public to view or provide input.
- Viewing the public hearing: You can view the hearing in-person or via livestream at sturgeoncounty.ca/CouncilMeetings
- Making a written submission: you can provide a written submission by email up to the close of the public hearing.
- Speaking at the public hearing: you can provide a statement at the public hearing in person or via videoconference. You are encouraged to pre-register to speak in-person at the public hearing. If you wish to speak via videoconference, you must register at least 24 hours prior to the opening of the public hearing. Register by contacting Legislative Services at 780-939-8277.
- When considering public input, Council considers how and to what degree the person is impacted by the proposed amendment.
