Council Highlights
Regular Meeting of Council – September 8, 2025
Council Highlights – September 8, 2025
Regular Meeting of Council
STAFF REPORTS
Community Services
Community programs remained active through August, with several initiatives wrapping up and new ones preparing for fall. The Red Cross grant is concluding, with staff training underway for Psychological First Aid. Community gatherings like Coffee with the Guys and the Ladies Breakfast saw strong attendance.
Crisis support was eased through Reaching Home, helping clients with unique needs. Awareness efforts continue, including a Truth and Reconciliation Walk on September 29 and preparations for Community Night on September 11.
FCSS youth programs remained steady, with over 300 participants in summer activities. Tools for Schools supported 33 students. Seniors services transitioned to a new grant, and community programs like the garden work bee, book club, and interagency meetings continue.
Employment services remain active through partnerships and social media outreach. Free transportation to the Whitecourt Job Fair will be available on September 26.
CALP supported learners through tutoring, literacy, and tech help. Fall programs begin mid-September, including Rhyme Time and English classes.
Newcomer supports expanded, with 11 welcome packages distributed and orientation sessions helping with job and housing info. Planning is underway for Welcome Week.
The PATP bus program offered market tours and school supply pickups. September trips are scheduled, and recruitment is underway for more drivers.
Recreation
Multiplex Attendance – August Year-over-Year
Overall attendance increased by 4%, with 4,384 visitors in August 2025 compared to 4,211 in 2024. The pool saw a 22% rise in bathers, and the fitness centre jumped 43%. The fieldhouse and track also saw modest increases. The arena and library experienced slight declines.
Multiplex Memberships
Adult memberships rose by 15%, with notable growth in monthly and 6-month options. Youth memberships more than doubled, while child and senior memberships declined. Overall, total memberships dropped by 12%, from 164 to 144.
Fox Creek RV Park – August Comparison
Camping nights decreased slightly overall. Serviced sites saw a 5% drop, and senior usage declined more sharply. Rustic sites increased by 49%, though senior use dropped significantly.
Iosegun Lake Campground – July Comparison
Camping nights rose by 52%, with more monthly and corporate site bookings. Group use declined slightly.
Smoke Lake Campground – July Comparison
Camping nights increased by 65, and monthly site bookings grew from 1 to 21.
Operations
Public Works crews were busy in August and early September, completing several infrastructure tasks including curb cutout cleaning and installation, pothole repairs using over 10 tonnes of material, catch basin repairs, campground grading, and line painting. Street sweeping and gravel road grading are ongoing. Upcoming work includes GIS data collection and painting the town office parking lot.
The Utility Department removed 25 muskrats from the lagoon and received a new septic station grinder. Planned work includes daily inspections, a well pump motor replacement, sewer dig, and leak inspection.
The Mechanic Shop digitized work orders and completed equipment maintenance. Regular vehicle servicing continues.
At the Landfill and Transfer Station, cardboard was hauled for recycling, a new sign was installed, and weed control was completed. Garbage management and installation of a new cardboard baler are ongoing. Chemical testing is planned.
The Animal Pound received 12 cats and kittens, with 7 adopted.
At the Airport, ditching and culvert installation were completed. Runway light repairs are scheduled.
The Cemetery saw one headstone placement and one burial in August.
Training included landfill operations and workplace inspections for three staff members.
Chief Administrative Officer
Administration is preparing for the upcoming municipal election by developing training materials and coordinating sessions for staff and the incoming Council. November will be a busy month, with orientation activities including facility tours, project updates, and mandatory training. Recent changes to provincial election rules have added complexity, prompting staff training to ensure compliance.
Preliminary survey results from the Small Communities Opportunity Fund project show alignment with expectations and offer insights into emerging community trends. These findings will help identify service gaps and guide future development.
Development interest continues to grow, with new industrial and residential projects underway and a commercial agreement nearing completion—signaling a strong local economy.
Water Treatment Plant upgrades are scheduled for completion by November 2026, with two planned shutdowns in March and October 2026. Winter planning is underway to streamline spring construction. A successful FRIAA grant has secured $126,000 for a promotional video showcasing the community’s forest-based identity.
Facebook engagement rose significantly in August, with over 108,000 views and 24 new followers. Work continues on an online newsletter and new website to improve communication.
A new partnership with the local school encourages reading among students, offering multiplex passes as incentives. Staff also gathered for a lunch to welcome new team members and celebrate summer contributions, with Council support for facility closures during the event.
BUSINESS
Surplus Auction
Town administration has finalized plans for the disposal of surplus equipment. After consulting with the auction house, it was determined that all items will be sold locally in Fox Creek to avoid transportation costs and better suit the regional market.
Council has officially passed a motion to declare the listed items as surplus, in accordance with the Town’s Disposal of Surplus Inventory Policy.
ATCO Electric Franchise Fee
The Town has completed its annual review of the ATCO Electric franchise agreement, which governs the delivery of electrical distribution services in Fox Creek. While municipalities have the option to adjust the franchise fee annually—up to a maximum of 20%—Fox Creek has maintained a consistent rate of 6.5% since 2020.
After reviewing regional comparisons and potential revenue increases, Council voted to keep the franchise fee unchanged. This decision means Fox Creek will continue to have one of the lowest franchise fee rates in the area, below municipalities such as Peace River (12.5%), High Level (12.1%), and Grande Prairie (10%).
Although maintaining the current rate results in a potential loss in annual revenue, Council prioritized affordability for residents and stability in utility costs.
ATCO Gas Franchise Fee
Council has confirmed that the ATCO Gas franchise fee will remain at 15% for 2026. This decision follows a review of delivery tariff revenues and comparisons with other municipalities. While maintaining the current rate means forgoing potential additional revenue, Council opted to keep the fee stable to support affordability for residents.
Fox Creek’s franchise fee remains lower than many surrounding communities, including Edmonton (35%), Peace River (32%), and Grande Prairie (25%). By choosing not to increase the rate, Council continues to prioritize cost stability while remaining compliant with provincial regulations.
Bylaw 869-2023-A03 – Fees and Rates Bylaw: Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste
The Town of Fox Creek is updating landfill and utility fees to keep services sustainable, meet provincial regulations, and manage rising costs. These changes are part of Bylaw 869-2023-A03: Fees & Rates Bylaw – Water, Wastewater & Solid Waste (Revised), which will go to its final reading on September 22nd.
We invite all residents to attend the Council meeting that day. You can speak directly to Council between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. before the regular meeting begins.
Why These Changes Are Needed
Our landfill is nearing capacity. If waste continues at current levels, we risk overfilling the site, which could lead to expensive environmental penalties and remediation costs. On top of that, provincial rules require long-term monitoring and maintenance—even after the landfill closes—which adds significant financial pressure.
To avoid these risks and build reserves for future closure and monitoring, we must make changes now.
What’s Changing
- Landfill fees will increase for the first time since 2000:
- Full pickup load: from $5 to $25
- Half pickup load: from $5 to $15
- Clean fill (like dirt or sand) will still be accepted free of charge
- Large trailers (bigger than a standard pickup box) will no longer be accepted
- Only Fox Creek residents or waste originating within Town limits will be allowed to use the landfill
Additional Disposal Options
Large loads can be taken to the Regional Landfill in Little Smoky, which Fox Creek is a member of. This provides another option for disposing of larger volumes of waste.
Free Household Waste Disposal
The Fox Creek Transfer Station remains free to use for all household waste. The Town is also exploring ways to expand services at this facility to better serve residents.
Let’s Plan for the Future
These changes will help us manage growing landfill costs and protect the community from future financial burdens. Without action, we risk service disruptions and major expenses down the road.
You can review the full bylaw at www.foxcreek.ca, by calling 780-622-3896, or emailing info@foxcreek.ca. Printed copies are also available at the Administration Office.
Thank you for your understanding and support as we work to protect Fox Creek’s future.
The next regular meeting of Council will be held September 22, 2025. We look forward to seeing you there!