Council Meeting Highlights - October 19, 2026

Council Meeting Dates and Times
Council approved the 2026-2027 Council meeting schedule, which generally keeps meetings every two weeks, with changes when a meeting falls on a statutory holiday and one exception in September 2027.

The Council Calendar will be available online soon at: https://camrose.civicweb.net/Portal/  

Council Appointments to Committees, Commissions, Boards and Authorities
Council approved the 2026-2027 appointments of Council members to City and external committees, boards, commissions, and authorities, with appointments effective from October 19, 2026, to October 18, 2027.

View the updated list on the Committees and Boards webpage.

Appointment of Deputy Mayor
Council approved the 2027 Deputy Mayor appointment schedule, with each Councillor serving in the role on a rotating basis throughout the year.

Presentation - Neighbor Aid
Representatives from Neighbor Aid were in attendance to discuss a potential northern expansion of the Neighbor Aid Centre. Administration will provide guidance regarding building and safety code requirements, and the organization will return with a business plan for further consideration.

Chamber of Commerce - Bill Fowler Proposal
The Camrose Regional Chamber of Commerce has proposed expanding the use of the Bill Fowler Centre to support more community events, meetings, workshops, and other activities throughout the year. Under the proposal, the Chamber would manage the facility's day-to-day operations, bookings, and programming, while the City would continue to own the building, fund approved services and improvements, and oversee the agreement with the Chamber.

This proposal will be discussed further during 2027 budget deliberations.

Development Statistics - 2026 Q3 (July 1 to September 30)
Major development activity increased in the third quarter, with new housing projects and several commercial developments moving forward. Smaller projects, such as fences and accessory buildings, also remained steady, reflecting ongoing investment in local properties.

Work continues in several residential neighbourhoods, and additional lots are expected to become available for future development.

Tenant Utilities Related Bylaw Changes
Following Council’s direction in September 2025, Administration is proposing bylaw amendments to gradually transition utility accounts from tenants to property owners. The changes are intended to simplify utility account administration, improve consistency across City bylaws, and reduce the risk of unpaid utility charges. Under the proposed changes, all new utility accounts would be opened in the property owner’s name beginning January 1, 2027, and existing tenant accounts would be phased out by December 31, 2029.

Recreation & Culture and Indigenous Advisory Committee
Council approved up to $25,000 in matching funds to support a grant application for a project at the Centennial Museum. If successful, the funding will be used to develop a respectful, community-informed plan for the future care and repatriation of ancestral remains, in partnership with Indigenous communities.

2026 Auditor Appointment
Council appointed RSM Canada LLP as the external auditor for the fiscal year from January 1, 2026, through to December 31, 2026.

Financial Reserves Policy Update
Council approved an updated Financial Reserves Policy that provides clear guidelines for managing City reserves, including identifying funding sources and establishing new reserves. The updated policy also recognizes revenue from recreation facility naming rights as a funding source for the Regional Recreation Facilities Infrastructure Reserve and includes minor changes to improve clarity, consistency, and alignment with current policy standards.

Alberta Community Partnership Grant Support
Council has approved the next step in a regional water sustainability project that will help communities better understand future water supply challenges and risks. The project will cost $300,000, half funded through a provincial grant and the remaining $150,000 funded by participating municipalities. A cost-sharing agreement between the municipalities will be negotiated and brought back to Council at a future date.

Water for Life Grant Application Support
The City has approved applying for grant funding to support the next stage of the proposed regional water project with Wetaskiwin and other partners. The project is being explored as a long-term way to improve water supply reliability and help communities prepare for future drought conditions and growing water demands.

The grant would help fund a preliminary design that will determine the preferred route, identify infrastructure needs, and provide more accurate cost estimates for the project. This work is an important step before any future decisions on construction can be made.

Camrose Public Library Lease Agreement Renewal
Council approved a new 10-year lease agreement that allows the Camrose Public Library to continue operating from its current location through 2036. The agreement keeps the existing arrangement in place while updating the lease to reflect current practices and clarify the responsibilities of the City and the Library Board.

Parkland Regional Library System - Proposed 2027 Budget
Council requested that representatives from the Parkland Regional Library System attend a future Committee of the Whole meeting to provide more information about the proposed 2027 budget and answer Council’s questions before a decision is made.

Camrose Sport Development Society Request for Sponsorship
Council approved $5,000 in sponsorship funding to help host two teams training in Camrose ahead of the World Junior Hockey Championships. The teams will train in the community and play two exhibition games in December.

Request for Fee Waiver at the Stoney Creek Centre for CDFCSS
Council directed Administration to first explore whether suitable meeting space is available at the Fire Hall for the Camrose and District Family and Community Support Services (CDFCSS) budget meeting on October 26, 2026. If space is not available, Council approved a one-time waiver of the $318.75 rental fee to allow CDFCSS to use the Stoney Creek Centre.

Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Bylaw
Council approved a new Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) Bylaw that updates the board’s rules and procedures, ensures compliance with provincial legislation, and replaces the previous Bylaw adopted in 2018. The new Bylaw also includes a compensation schedule for public board members to recognize the training and responsibilities required to hear and decide development and subdivision appeals.

Framework Policy - Emergency Management
Council approved an updated Emergency Management Framework Policy that clarifies roles and responsibilities, updates definitions, and reinforces Administration’s responsibility for emergency management operations.