Woodlands County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Woodlands County committees propose water rate hikes, AI policy, new bylaws

Woodlands County council and its committees met over the past two weeks to consider a range of proposals, including new water and wastewater rates, an artificial intelligence usage policy, and several new bylaws. All items remain proposals only; minutes have not yet been published, and no decisions have been confirmed.

Water and wastewater rates

The Finance/Taxation Committee, meeting Aug. 20, recommended that council approve a new 2027–2031 water and wastewater utility rate schedule. The proposal includes a $40 monthly flat rate for both water and wastewater, and elimination of the 4% commercial variable rate premium effective Jan. 1, 2027. The committee also discussed a phased increase in the minimum property tax for Crown grazing leases: $100 in 2027, $150 in 2028, and $200 in 2029. It received the Alberta Municipal Indicators report for information and adopted Policy F-5.205, Electronic Payment Policy, as presented.

New bylaws and policies

At its Aug. 13 meeting, Council considered first readings of Community Standards Bylaw 634/25 and Special Events Bylaw 641/26, and first, second, and third readings of Emergency Management Bylaw 645/26 with an amendment to section 6.1. Council also considered adopting Policy AD-2.012, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage. The agenda included approval of a $2,000 Growth Alberta Partnership membership fee and a $1,000 conference sponsorship. Delegations were scheduled from Midstream Energy Partners (in closed session) and the Whitecourt Woodlands Winter Recreation Park Society, and a public engagement plan for the new bylaws was to be approved.

Design guidelines and traffic bylaw

The Governance & Priorities Committee, meeting Aug. 19, recommended that Council adopt the updated 2026 Design Guidelines and Construction Standards, replacing the 2016 version, with the CAO delegated to approve future amendments. The committee also recommended first reading of Traffic Bylaw 647/26, which would rescind three existing policies: Policy 3211 Overweight Permits, Policy 3219 Road Use Agreement, and Policy 3226 Waterline Crossings on Road Allowances. Administration was directed to prepare a Fees and Charges Bylaw amendment for permit fees and utility crossing security. The committee moved into closed session to discuss Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bylaw 635/25 and Policies 2602 and 2601.

Status of items

All three meetings were listed as agenda-only, with minutes not yet published. As a result, none of the proposals have been formally decided. The items will be considered by Council at future meetings, though no specific dates were provided.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the county website for future meeting notices.

Woodlands County committees review industrial sites, airport land strategy

Two Woodlands County committees met in late June to discuss economic development and airport land policy. The Economic Development Committee on June 23 reviewed a marketing update for heavy industrial sites and talked about strategic direction. The Airport Advisory Committee on June 29 is set to recommend that the county continue leasing airport lands rather than selling them until a full Master Plan is completed. Neither committee has published minutes yet, so the outcomes of these discussions are not final.

Economic Development Committee – June 23

The committee reviewed a heavy industrial site selection and marketing update from Goodeve & Associates. Members discussed strategic direction for economic development, including recruitment alignment and updates to the committee’s terms of reference. The committee approved conference attendance for staff at the SiteLink Conference and EDA Ministry Dinner. An information report on the West Coast Oil Pipeline presentation from the May Council meeting was received. In closed session, the committee reviewed investment readiness studies and attraction updates.

Airport Advisory Committee – June 29

According to the agenda, the committee will recommend that the county maintain its current approach of leasing airport lands instead of selling them, pending completion of a full Airport Master Plan. The committee also reviewed a revised conceptual plan for CYZU Airport and discussed proposed land use bylaw amendments regarding setbacks. An update on haying activities at the airport was presented. The committee also appointed a Chair and Vice-Chair.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the next two weeks as of July 5, 2026.