Birch Hills County

This Intermunicipal Development Plan establishes a collaborative framework between Birch Hills County and County of Grande Prairie No. 1 to guide future planning and development, manage growth, and facilitate environmental initiatives. It aims to promote a collaborative approach to future planning, reduce potential conflicts, protect Crown Lands for recreation, minimize environmental impact through compatible land uses, and establish consistent service delivery and infrastructure standards.

This Intermunicipal Development Plan establishes a framework for cooperation and coordinated development between Birch Hills County and Saddle Hills County within a defined intermunicipal boundary. The plan outlines land use policies aimed at protecting prime agricultural and environmental lands, coordinating transportation and utility systems, and managing natural resource, industry, and energy development. It emphasizes effective referral mechanisms and dispute resolution procedures for intermunicipal matters, ensuring orderly growth and development while maintaining the municipalities' individual jurisdictions.

This Municipal Accountability Program Report assesses Birch Hills County's compliance with municipal legislation and provides recommendations for improvement. Key focus areas for legislative compliance include procedural bylaws, public participation policies, electronic meeting protocols, declarations of pecuniary and conflicts of interest, comprehensive three-year operating and five-year capital plans, auditor reporting standards, and proper authorization for borrowing bylaws. The report aims to support the municipality in achieving full legislative compliance, enhancing good governance, and promoting accountability and transparency.

The agenda for the Regular Council Meeting included adoption of the agenda and minutes from the June 11, 2020 meeting. Key discussion items involved Councillor Reports, the Chief Administrative Officer's Report, and unfinished business such as the appointment to the Recreation Board for Ward 2 and a request for reduction of a Fire Services invoice for Mrs. Rose Sorgen. New business covered items in Administration, including an application for a Community Enhancement Grant for Eaglesham, and Public Works matters such as the purchase of a wash bay pressure washer and culvert purchase, as well as updates on road conditions. The meeting also included items for information, such as progress reports from the Water North Coalition and correspondence regarding the Gas Tax Fund and STARS donation.

The agenda for the Regular Council Meeting included the adoption of the agenda and minutes from previous meetings, public hearings for Bylaw 2021-07 and Bylaw 2021-08 concerning Land Use Bylaw (LUB) amendments, Councillor reports, and the Chief Administrative Officer's report. Business arising from the minutes involved the 2022-2025 Draft Strategic Plan. New business covered administration items such as Bank Reconciliation and a State of Agriculture update. The meeting also included several items for information, covering various correspondence and reports, and concluded with discussions in a closed session regarding unpaid oil and gas taxes, the CAO Annual Review (deferred to the next meeting), and updates to the Birch Hills County Personal Handbook.