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Please note: these Council Highlights are not official meeting minutes. They provide a summary of decisions and information from Council meetings, offering a more accessible way for residents to stay informed about City of Camrose updates.
Committee of the Whole Meeting Highlights
View the March 24, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting Agenda
Presentation by Community Transit Advisory Committee - Hang Up Your Keys Challenge
Patricia Johnston, Chair of the Community Transit Advisory Committee, was in attendance to talk to Council about the “Hang Up Your Keys Challenge”. This challenge invites Council members and all Camrosians to use alternative transportation like biking, walking, public transit, and/or taxis from May 26 to June 1, 2025. The purpose of this is to encourage everyone to explore different transit options and also gain a better understanding of the difficulties faced by those without personal vehicles.
Presentation by Jeb Carroll
A Camrose citizen, Jeb Carroll, gave a presentation on his thoughts on nuclear threats, EMP risks, and emergency preparedness.
Tax Rate Options
Travis Lantz, Manager of Assessment, presented to Council about what this year’s Tax Rate options are.
In the past, tax increases were typically shared equally between residential and non-residential properties, except in 2020 when some tax burden was shifted to residential properties to encourage non-residential growth.
Three taxation options were presented:
- Status Quo – Evenly distribute tax increases across both property classes.
- Shift 0.5% to Residential – Residential taxpayers would cover an additional $150,000, reducing the burden on non-residential properties.
- Shift 0.5% to Non-Residential – Non-residential taxpayers would cover an additional $150,000, reducing residential tax rates.
Council directed Administration to proceed with the “Status Quo” option.
It is also important to note that, additionally, education taxes set by the province have significantly increased. Residential owners will see a 10.8% increase in education tax, while non-residential owners will see a 5.6% increase. As a reminder, the City cannot adjust or “shift” education taxes but must collect the required amounts. (Please view the Agenda for charts with additional information.)
The Tax Rate Bylaw will come to Council at a Regular Council Meeting on April 21, 2025 for approval.
Strategic Asset Management Plan Overview
Asset Management Coordinator, Kelly Bakaas, provided an update to Council about the Strategic Asset Management Plan. In 2023, the City awarded a contract to Urban Systems Ltd. to develop a Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP). The plan focuses on keeping better track of City assets, setting clear service level expectations, and improving how assets are managed over. In 2025, the City will begin training staff, updating records, piloting projects, and starting to make asset management a regular part of daily operations.
Extended Producer Responsibility Overview
General Manager of Infrastructure, Kris Johnson, and Senior Municipal Engineering Technologist, Amy Johnson, were in attendance to provide an overview and update of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program as well as to provide additional information and clarification to some questions. (Please view the Agenda for a more in-depth breakdown.)
In October 2022, the Government of Alberta introduced EPR regulations under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. These regulations, effective November 30, 2022, shift the financial responsibility for recycling from municipalities to producers. The program includes two streams: Products, Packaging, and Paper (PPP) and Hazardous and Special Materials (HSP).
Since the program's introduction, the City of Camrose has provided regular updates through Council meetings and Finance Committee discussions as well as frequently meeting with Centra Cam.
Key Points About EPR:
- The program primarily covers residential recycling, not commercial or industrial materials.
- Producer Responsible Organizations (PROs) will own and market all collected materials to improve recycling efficiency.
- Phase 1 (starting April 1, 2025) will provide financial support for recycling operations and public engagement.
- Phase 2 (potentially starting October 2026) could introduce residential curbside recycling collection, further increasing service levels without raising user fees.
Administration believes there is value in the City participating in the EPR program, including entering into the various EPR contracts with the PROs. This will provide significant funding for the City, which will allow the City to reduce recycling user charges for all residential properties. This program will increase the level of service provided to residents in the short term by requiring less sorting of materials through the provision of a number of larger collection bins at the Recycle Depot site.
Should Council decide to proceed with curbside collection of recyclables (a decision that doesn’t need to be made until sometime in 2026), residents would see another major increase to recycling service levels without an increase to City recycling user rates.
The City will also continue working with Centra Cam and explore other opportunities to support them simultaneously with the community’s recycling needs.
Photo Radar Update
Police Chief Dean LaGrange and Inspector John Corbett brought a report to Council regarding the 2025 Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) changes. The Camrose Police Service remains committed to keeping our roads safe while following the new ATE guidelines, which come into effect, April 1, 2025.
Watch the Committee of the Whole Meeting archived video here.
Regular Council Meeting Highlights
View the March 24, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Agenda
Public Commentary
A resident spoke at Public Commentary to give their thoughts on the Extended Producers Responsibility program.
Public Hearing Bylaw 3367-25 - Land Use Amendment / Bylaw 3367-25 - Land Use Amendment
A public hearing for this Land Use Bylaw amendment was advertised in the Camrose Booster on March 4 and March 11, 2025, with a submission deadline of March 18, 2025. No written submissions were received. Additionally, no one spoke at the public hearing at the Regular Council meeting.
Council gave second and third readings to this Land Use Amendment which is in support of Sunrise Outdoor Advertising’s proposal to replace the existing digital sign at 5301 - 48 Avenue with a new digital billboard sign.
Although Sunrise Outdoor Advertising has filed the application, the City will now follow the required procurement policies and procedures to replace the sign.
Establishment of New Residential Taxation Subclass - 2010 Annexed Properties
In 2010, Camrose annexed properties from Camrose County with special tax conditions lasting until 2024. Starting in 2025, these properties will no longer receive a lower tax rate and may face significant increases. Property owners have expressed concerns, and Administration has brought forth options to ease the tax impact.
Options:
- Option 1: Tax these properties like all other residential properties in the city.
- Option 2: Set a lower tax rate (45%) for 2025-2027, then increase to the full city rate by 2028.
- Option 3: Set a tax rate of 50% for 2025, gradually increasing each year to reach the full city rate by 2028.
After a discussion of these options, Council decided to go with Option 1, as they believe that the creation of a new residential property tax subclass for these 11 properties could create a precedent of allowing future requests from property owners who believe they don’t receive the same service levels as other properties.
Extended Producer Responsibility Program Update
EPR Products, Packaging and Paper Contract
Council confirms the City’s intent to participate in the Products, Packaging and Paper (PPP) branch of the EPR program. To transition smoothly, the City will enter a short-term contract (April 1 – June 30, 2025) with Circular Materials to continue current recycling depot operations through Centra Cam. This contract ensures no major changes in depot operations while covering collection, sorting, and sale of recyclable materials, with costs covered through EPR funding. A second, longer contract (July 1, 2025 – October 1, 2026) will be addressed later to expand the program.
EPR Hazardous and Special Products Contract
Council confirms the City’s intent to participate in the Hazardous and Special Products branch of the EPR program. The City will be sending a letter jointly with Product Care, to the Extended Producer Responsibility regulator (Alberta Recycling Management Authority) requesting a two-year exemption regarding the construction of a permanent Hazardous and Special Products depot. In the meantime, the City plans to continue its current system of collecting household hazardous waste twice a year through a contract with Product Care, which will help cover some costs.
EPR Hazardous and Special Products Battery Contract
Council approves a contract with Call2Recycle to handle battery recycling. This would cover sorting, processing, packaging, and shipping batteries under the EPR program.
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