Governance & Priorities Committee Meeting Highlights: September 8, 2026

Council directed administration to develop a Residential Development Incentive Framework to encourage new residential construction and increase housing availability in town. The framework will explore a combination of tools including a residential property tax incentive and a grant funding policy to help offset costs. Administration will bring a detailed program back to a future meeting for consideration.

Council reviewed a proposed change to the Grants to Organizations Policy. The proposed change moves to two intake periods (January and June) and would spread funding more evenly throughout the year, with unspent funds carried into the next intake. A revised policy will come back for formal consideration.

Council received an update on the wayfinding project. The first phase of signage has been awarded and installation is underway, with more signs, including facility, trail, and updated entrance signage planned over the next two to three years.

As part of routine fleet renewal, the town sold 14 aging vehicles and equipment units at auction, generating some revenue and reducing annual insurance costs. 

Council reviewed a proposal to convert the existing Legislative Services Manager position into an Assistant CAO role, with Economic Development and Communications reporting to it, to strengthen succession planning and support economic development. Council asked for further consideration and deferred the discussion to a future meeting.

Peace River is hosting the Northern Hands-on Education and Awareness Training (H.E.A.T.) fire conference from September 9 to 12. The event brings roughly 120 delegates plus about 90 firefighters and support staff to town for live fire training, seminars, and a trade show.

183 files in August (1,218 year-to-date), including the removal of 14 homeless encampments and ongoing assistance to the RCMP.

65 building permits year-to-date (55 issued), representing an estimated $11 million in construction value, with development permits approved in an average of 4.2 days.