County of Northern Lights
2017 to 2019
Strategic Issues
Adopted by Council November 8, 2016
Motion #1647/08/11/16
Strategic Issues – 2017 to 2019
Northern Lights County Council
Mission Statement
It shall be the Mission of the County of Northern Lights to:
A. Provide good government;
B. Provide services, facilities, and other things that, in the opinion of Council, are
necessary or desirable for all or a part of the County; and
C. Develop and maintain safe and viable communities.
Vision Statement
It is the Vision of the Council of the County of Northern Lights to strive for innovative decision‐
making, proactive planning, and regional cooperation in order to promote our citizens’ lifestyles,
freedoms, and opportunities. This will be achieved by providing enhanced qualities of life, effective
and efficient services, and healthy/sustainable communities.
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Strategic Issues – 2017 to 2019
Results of Prior Year’s Strategic Issues:
The 2016 Strategic Issues document identified the following issues as ones that deserve attention as the
County headed into the 2016 fiscal year:
1. Budget/Tax Reductions
Council recognizes that the current economy has put considerable stress on our residents
and every effort must be made to ensure that the County is operating in the most effective
and efficient manner. In order to reduce the property tax burden placed on landowners,
County staff will be directed to find methods of reducing our annual operating budget in
2016. Every effort will be made to maintain existing quality of service, while recognizing
that there may be some reduction in service levels required to achieve this goal.
In 2016 budget discussions, County management put forward a budget that was reduced by
5.74% from the 2015 budget. The residential mill rate was not increased.
General operating costs are not decreasing, therefore in order to further reduce the operating
budget, Council may need to look at reducing services (grade roads less, use less gravel, cut
back grader contract hours, do more in house where possible, do less with our urban
neighbors, provide fewer and less grants for outside groups, reduce travel to conferences and
meetings, etc) and administration will look to continuing to increase efficiencies.
2. South Waterline
Water is a requirement for the viability and sustainability of any community. In order to
ensure that the County of Northern Lights is able to grow and expand, water is required in
the southern portion of the County. In order to proceed with the expansion of water into
the south, County Council will undertake a number of steps to phase in the development of
water, beginning with an RFP for engineering proposals for a 7 to 8-year project to include
pre design, design, route, easements, etc for a waterline from the southern boundary into
the Weberville, Warrensville areas and up to the Hamlet of Dixonville.
The County received funding for the Dixonville Water distribution upgrades in 2015 and is
proceeding with the hiring of a consultant to design the south regional water line in order
that we are prepared when funding becomes available.
Engineering has commenced and some routing options have been researched. The engineers
(AMEC Foster Wheeler) need to come to council to discuss these options. Council will also
determine what to do in the north in 2017 for water if the south waterline does not receive
funding.
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Strategic Issues – 2017 to 2019
3. Municipal Agreements
The relationship with our municipal neighbors is important and the existing agreement
with the Town of Peace River is set to expire on August 1, 2017. Due to the complexities
of the contract, Council has directed administration to begin preparations for negotiations
of this contract.
No negotiations/discussions have taken place regarding the Peace River municipal services
agreement and with the changes to the MGA this will become more important. Currently the
Town is working with the County, the MD of Peace, the Town of Grimshaw on a review of fire
services in the region. The Revenue Sharing agreement has a termination notification date
of August 1, 2017, otherwise it continues for another 10 years.
The councils for the Town of Manning and County of Northern Lights met and the Town
indicated a need for additional funding for the splash park which is now being operated and
maintained by the Town. County Council denied this request in September due to the fact
that the Town agreed to operate the splash park when it was built. This and the skate park
are examples of how groups of residents band together for a service/facility they believe is
important only to have the municipality take over responsibility once it is built. As a result,
the Town of Manning has facilities, some of which they cannot afford to operate without the
50% support of the County.
The Town of Grimshaw has no issues with the County’s municipal service agreement and
hopes the County will continue to provide support for their various facilities. There has been
no request for additional funds.
The updated MGA will see a requirement for Inter Municipal Development Plans and Inter
Municipal Collaboration Plans with any municipality that shares municipal boundaries. This
will put additional pressures on the County for collaboration and funding of facilities.
Agreements will be required with the Towns of Peace River and Manning, MD of Peace,
Mackenzie County, Clear Hills County and possibly Northern Sunrise County.
4. Hawk Hills Drainage Plan
The County has completed a major drainage study for the Hawk Hills drainage basin. Over
the 2016 year, the County will work with Alberta Environment and Parks to adopt the
study as a blueprint for any water diversion applications in the area. The County will then
hold open houses to educate and acquire buy in from residents to ensure that neighbors
are working toward common drainage goals, and not causing problems to the
environment, or each other.
This major drainage study report for the Hawk Hills drainage basin has been approved and
forwarded to Alberta Environment and Parks however we have received no response. Council
has directed that we apply for funding and proceed with projects when funding is received.
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Strategic Issues – 2017 to 2019
5. Recycling
With the growth in interest in environmental policies over recent years, there has been
increased pressure from residents for the County to provide for recycling opportunities.
To meet these demands, administration will research once again the costs and
opportunities for providing recycling bins in the Dixonville and Keg River transfer stations.
Administration will also organize an annual spring cleanup in the Hamlets of Dixonville
and North Star to assist residents with keeping the Hamlets tidy.
Council has also directed administration to investigate opportunities for plastic recycling
such as the Whitehorse experience where plastic grain bags and other plastic are being
chipped and used to make petroleum products (oil & gas).
Successful annual cleanups were held in Dixonville and North Star in the fall of 2016. This
annual cleanup effort will continue as long as there is support from the residents.
There will be no further work undertaken on recycling until such time as there is interest in
the transportation of these goods.
6. Recreation Master Plan:
The overall Master Plan has been completed and the County staff are now moving onto the
Action Plan.
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Strategic Issues – 2017 to 2019
GOAL: PRESERVE ROAD, DRAINAGE AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE
Strategic Initiative
Responsible
Party
 Continue to do in house shoulder pulls and
maintain shoulder pull budget at $500,000
McLaughlin
 Look at areas for improvement/savings
Target
Date
McLaughlin
 Supervisors to watch grader beats more
Closely and shut down graders when
too wet/too dry
McLaughlin
 Maintain status quo on bridges until
GAP funding returns
McLaughlin
 Establish bridge reserve for future
replacements/major repairs
Hunter
 Undertake engineering on RR 223 or
RR 222 connector road in Weberville
Study area to maximum budget of
$150,000
 RR 223/222 connector road to be
Constructed
 Look at roads to be paved in long term
McLaughlin
2017
McLaughlin
2018
McLaughlin
 Apply for grants and proceed with
Hawk Hills drainage projects when
funding is at 75%
2020
McLaughlin
 Budget for new or expanded sand shed at
Manning airport (larger building over slab,
use for dry storage of equipment)
McLaughlin
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2018/19
Strategic Issues – 2017 to 2019
GOAL: DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR MUNICIPAL NEIGHBORS, THROUGH
SUPPORT OF MUNICIPAL SERVICE AGREEMENTS/REGIONAL COLLABORATION
Strategic Initiative
Responsible
Party
 Meet with Municipal neighbors to solidify
Municipal service agreements
 Review agreements and ensure residents
are receiving value for contributions
 Continue regular inter municipal
Council meetings with neighbors
Van Oort
May 2017
Council
Sept 2017
Council
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Target
Date
Strategic Issues – 2017 to 2019
GOAL: PROVISION OF SAFE, POTABLE WATER TO RESIDENTS
Strategic Initiative
Responsible
Party
 Provide funds for engineering of South regional
Waterline
 Continue lobbying for funding of the next phase
of south regional waterline from Town of Peace
River border
 Provide funds for water project in North and
Water “add ons” of $1.5 million total
McLaughlin
2017
Council
Hunter
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Target
Date
2017
Strategic Issues – 2017 to 2019
GOAL: MAINTAIN OR REDUCE BUDGET LEVELS
Strategic Initiative
Responsible
Party
 Capital budgets to be reduced and kept lean
All
2017
 Review structure of taxation/mill rates to lessen
Impact on residential properties
Hunter
2017
 Maintain service levels as much as possible
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All
Target
Date