ATHABASCA — Across the world, different iterations of the New Year bring new beginnings, fresh starts, and renewed drive for individuals, families, and communities. For Athabasca County, the new year means a new budget, refocused priorities, and enduring foresight.
Brian Hall has worn the Athabasca County reeve hat for more than two years, after he was re-elected to head council during the Oct. 26 organizational meeting. He, alongside his fellow councillors, took to the U-shaped table on top of Athabasca’s East Hill with little first-hand municipal governance experience in 2021 — a factor Hall said has proved to be a benefit.
“People would often say, ‘Oh, you’re new.’ I think we’re new to council, but not new to life. There was still an experienced team of people who came in with perspectives and a willingness to work. I think that’s important,” said Hall in a Dec. 22 sit down interview with the Athabasca Advocate.
“They’re committed to good decisions for the county, good decisions with employees, and the region long-term,” continued Hall. “One of the important things to remember is there’s an indefinite life to the municipality … at a municipal level, we have to think about decisions. Obviously, they’re short-term in nature: what’s happening next year. But that has to be in the framework of this really long view,” of 25, or even 50 years down the road, said Hall.
He likened the current county councillors foresight to the vision that shaped the province we know today: “Think about what the City of Edmonton — or the town or village or whatever it would have been — would have looked like when (the legislature) was built.
“The long-term view that would have been necessary to building that building that, 100 years later, is still a magnificent, and inspiring, and amazing building to walk through,” is what Hall sees his fellow councillors have brought to the table as they weathered 2023 and look forward to the upcoming year.
Reflecting on 2023
Foresight is necessary for planning ahead, and hindsight is another important tool in the belt of municipal politicians. Reflecting on recent successes, as well as challenges, can better shape a vision of the future, and Athabasca County had no shortage of milestones in 2023.
“In the last 12 months, one of the things I think should be on the top 10 things to be proud of is the successful hiring and appointment of CAO (Robert) Beck. In CAO Beck, I believe we have a leader that will build up the team at the county,” said Hall.
“He has a long-term view and is looking at how do we incrementally take the good work that’s happened from the past and build on that to leave a legacy of a strong performing organization that again, is something our residents can be proud to be connected to, and also the employees can be proud to work for,” added Hall.
Other notable milestones of 2023 include the pursuit of studies to improve broadband and internet access across the region, the concrete steps towards a water line extension to Island Lake, and a thorough overhaul of the county’s fire services.
In addition to the bylaw review and the new Fire Services Master Plan, county councillors have budgeted a $450,000 transfer to the fire protection services department for the third year in a row. Following a 2023 wildfire season the government of Alberta has dubbed the “busiest” on record, and low moisture levels county fire services said equates to a one in 100-year dry spell, access to funds to replace aging equipment for the seven volunteer departments is timely.
2023 also saw Al-Pac celebrate its 30th anniversary, and a renewed community interest in STARS helipad projects for the region, including a fuel cache at the airport that Hall said “basically doubles the range” of the air ambulance, as well as helipad projects in both Boyle and Athabasca.
The last 12 months also saw growth and industry expansion emerge as a priority for not just Athabasca County, but its municipal partners too. “We’ve restructured the economic development committee with a smaller, hopefully more agile committee,” said Hall.
Councillors gave the thumbs up to a discounted property tax rates for small businesses via a new non-residential subclassification, and recently moved to purchase a housing unit with the Town of Athabasca for incoming medical staff and other professionals seeking a life in the region.
‘My neighbours success is our success’
Inter-municipal collaboration has been a theme in the region lately, and 2023 was no exception. The past year saw the county, town, and the Village of Boyle work together for a range of different projects and initiatives, such as the approval and implementation of the Regional Emergency Response Plan, the transitional housing unit and STARS projects, and the continued efforts for the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals.
The collaboration has many benefits; not only do all three municipalities get to cross action items from their priority and project lists, but Hall said a united front is a benefit to residents, neighbours, and even discussions with provincial politicians.
“Our residents don’t see the municipal boundaries,” said Hall. “It absolutely adds strength to the argument or to the requests when you have the opportunity to sit down with one of the ministers who is making decisions that affect the region.
“When they know all regional leaders have a common view, it sends a much stronger and more clear message to them: that everybody’s on the same page and we truly represent the people of Alberta who live here,” he continued.
The level of municipal collaboration with the town, the village, and the multiple summer villages within the region all have — at least — one thing in common: the people. Looking back on the last 12 months, Hall said the biggest accomplishments are hard to pinpoint, but stem from a collective community effort and inter-departmental collaboration within the county.
“It’s all of the little things that go on that continue to make this a good place to be and work,” said Hall. “Communities work because everybody offers what they have to offer in service of their region … and if everybody offers what they have, I think we’re all better off for it.
“The outcome is greater than the sum of its parts. There’s leverage that comes from everybody working together.
“My neighbours success is our success, and that’s how we have to work together,” said Hall. “Our job in part as councillors is to carry the voice of our region to our elected members … we should be their trusted source of information. And I think building relationships with those folks based on trust and respect helps our region.”
