Coming Up: September 5

Council meets on Tuesday. The most significant items on our agenda:

  • Delegations

  • Stormwater Utility Model

Following is more information and my take on agenda items.

As always, any mistakes or opinions belong to me and me alone, not to Council or City staff.

While I express my current views below, I work hard to go into meetings ready to listen and with an open mind. I learn new information and participate in debate. This always informs, and sometimes changes, how I vote on issues.

If you would like to watch the meeting or read any of its supporting material for yourself, you can do so by clicking here. The City will post the highlights of Council’s decisions here.

Delegations

At every Council meeting, members of the public are welcome to address Council. This week, a number of delegations have told us they will be coming to our meeting. They are:

  • The Chamber of Commerce to update us on workforce attraction efforts

  • The Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association to update us on their recent efforts and organisational changes

  • Ducks Unlimited to update us on local work

  • A resident wishing to see Council take action on foxtail weeds

I look forward to hearing from these delegations.

Stormwater Utility Model

For years, Council has been exploring a Stormwater Utility Model. This wouldn’t change who operates our stormwater system or how they do it (it would continue to be a City-delivered service). It would just change how it is paid for.

Currently, Stormwater infrastructure is funded through general taxes. A Utility Model would see it become funded through a bill based on usage. Properties would get a new bill, but would also see their tax bills drop. For most residential properties, this would lead to a net savings.

After years of study and conversation, it is time for Council to make a decision. It is recommended that Council direct Administration to “proceed with the implementation of a Stormwater Utility that is structured on an impervious surface area fee model.”

If Council votes “yes” to this recommendation, there are still a lot of decisions to be made. Administration would create final financial models and present them to Council in early 2023. Council would then make decisions such as “should some properties be exempt?” and “what should the actual rate be?” Residents would see a tax discount and start receiving Stormwater bills sometime in 2024.

I’m likely to vote in favour of adopting a Stormwater Utility Model. I’ve written in depth about this issue and my thinking at www.bressey.ca/stormwater

That’s what is on our agenda for Monday. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

You can comment below. Or, you can contact me at dbressey@cityofgp.com or 780-402-4166. I'm happy to talk online or over the phone. I'm also always willing to setup a time to meet for coffee.

We also always have great conversation in the GP Round Table group on Facebook.

After Council meeting, you will be able to find highlights posted by the City here.

Thanks for reading!

-Dylan

Dylan BresseyComment