Catch our Governance and Priorities meeting last week? Here are some highlights:
➡ Following our winter of constant snow, Council received an update on snow clearing operations from Pat Fisher, Director of Infrastructure and Development. In December alone, the region experienced significantly higher snowfall than average. During the week of December 8–15, Environment Canada estimated 30–55 cm of snowfall, with local estimates suggesting 45–50 cm fell in Peace River. For comparison, a typical December would normally see about 24 cm of snow.
Because of these conditions, snow removal began earlier than usual on December 9, 2025, and operations continued at a high level through mid-January. During this time, Town staff logged 2,842 hours of snow clearing work compared to about 2,350 hours in an average winter.
To keep roads accessible, the Town also relied heavily on contractor support, using 4,388 hours of contracted trucking and equipment to haul snow. At peak operations, crews had up to 21 trucks working at once, including Town-owned vehicles.
Snow removal costs up until the March 2 Council meeting totalled approximately $852,000. The Town typically budgets about $400,000 annually for snow clearing, with most snowfall normally occurring later in the winter season.
➡ Director of Protective Services Dan Cress presented an update on the Community Peace Officer program. During February, officers created 75 files and responded to a variety of calls including 31 traffic complaints, 23 snow removal and parking issues, and 10 public complaints. Officers also issued 25 tickets and 34 warnings during the month. Year-to-date, the department had created 192 files as of the Council meeting.
➡ Interim Director of Corporate Services Roxane Guindon presented the draft 2026 Operating Budget for review. The operating budget outlines funding for day-to-day municipal services supported largely through property taxes. Utility services such as water, wastewater, solid waste, and storm sewer are managed through separate utility budgets.
The budget is developed through input from department heads, detailed review by Corporate Services, and discussions between directors and the Chief Administrative Officer before being presented to Council. Council then reviews the draft, provides feedback, and ultimately approves the final budget.
Administration compiled the draft budget using prior-year financial trends, administration estimates, and anticipated inflationary pressures. The current draft assumes a municipal requisition targeting a 2.5% increase over the previous year’s revenue, while aiming to maintain or increase service levels.
The budget also reflects known salary and benefit adjustments following the collective agreement negotiated in 2024, including 2.6% increases for both unionized and non-union staff in 2026, along with increases to programs such as CPP, EI, and benefits.
Council discussed the draft in detail and provided feedback to Administration. The budget will return to Council for further review before final approval, and will also support the preparation of the Town’s three-year operating plan covering 2027-2029.
Always more.
You can read the whole agenda here: https://peaceriver.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/?expanded=9574,154743…
And watch it again on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTk8imcDLp8
Our next regular Council meeting is March 23, 2026.