Current News Releases

DID YOU KNOW | Even if there is no municipal election for Councillor happening in your division (Divisions 1, 2, 3, and 7 were acclaimed), you can still vote on the Senate election and the two referendum questions regarding equalization payments and daylight saving time.

Make sure you head to the polls on October 18 (or October 4, if you want to do the advance vote in Lacombe County).

Visit https://www.lacombecounty.com/index.php/election-2021 for full details, including voting locations and times.

The 2021 municipal election will be held on Monday, October 18, 2021 between 10 am and 8 pm. Advance voting will take place on Monday, October 4, 2021 between 10 am and 8 pm.

For a full list of our Advance Vote locations and Election Day voting stations and other Municipal Election information, please visit our website at https://www.lacombecounty.com/index.php/election-2021.
 

Here are Lacombe County’s candidates for the 2021 Municipal Election:

Lacombe County is pleased to welcome Monica Bartman as our new Economic Development Officer (EDO). The EDO position will work directly with businesses, community groups and other stakeholders to develop partnerships, and implement economic development activities to attract new business, and retain and grow existing business.

“Every year or two, Lacombe County Council would discuss the idea of having an Economic Development Officer during a Council meeting,” said Paula Law, Lacombe County Reeve. “With the growth in our hamlets, business and industrial parks, as well as increased activity in agribusinesses in Lacombe County, we felt it was the right time to add this position to our talented Planning and Development team, to support businesses of all sizes in Lacombe County.”

Effective September 4, 2021, masks are mandatory in ALL indoor public spaces and workplaces.

Members of the public will be expected to wear a mask when entering Lacombe County buildings. We will have masks and sanitizer available in the entrances of the Lacombe County Administration Building and the Lacombe County Public Works Shop.

There are alternative options for service available and we ask that you use the options below if possible or if you are feeling unwell:

• phone (403-782-6601)
• email ()
• online service request portal,
• Lacombe County’s Facebook page

We ask that you keep a safe distance from our staff when at the office as a precautionary measure.

We thank you for your cooperation.

Lacombe County invites applications from the public at large for appointment to the following:

SUBDIVISION AND DEVELOPMENT APPEAL BOARD/ ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD (Joint appointment)

Persons interested in applying for appointment to these Boards are invited to submit an application providing details of their qualifications and experience by October 1, 2021. If you are interested in serving as Board Chair for the ARB please indicate this in your application.**

The Lacombe County Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB), which is comprised of five members of the public-at-large, is a quasi-judicial board that hears appeals from the decisions of the County’s Development Authority and Subdivision Authority.

The Lacombe County Assessment Review Board (ARB) is comprised of the SDAB members and hears and makes decisions on property assessment complaints.

The Highway 1221 Regional Water Services Commission has retained Weaver Group Ltd to construct a potable water line from Alix to Clive.  Construction will commence on September 8, 2021 and run through the end of 2021.  There may be occasional traffic interruptions along this route during this period.  

Click on Read More to view a map of the proposed water line.

The dry, hot summer has led to the kick-off of the harvest season in Lacombe County, which is significantly earlier than usual. Harvest work is in full swing, and Lacombe County reminds travellers to keep safety at the forefront during fall harvest operations, whether you’re driving a van, pulling a camping trailer, or behind the wheel of a combine or semi-truck.

Road Safety

Road safety is a big concern during harvest season. Slow-moving farm equipment will be on roads already busy with summer travellers and commuters alike, increasing the need for everyone to drive safely and considerately. Since starting this campaign in 2014, we have heard stories from producers and drivers alike of unsafe driving during harvest season.

CN Rail has notified Lacombe County that they are closing Township Road 39-0 between Range Road 25-0 and Range Road 25-1 for crossing repairs.

This closure is scheduled for Thursday, August 19, 2021 from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will impact traffic in the Joffre/Haynes area of Lacombe County.

Traffic will be detoured along local roads during the closure. Please watch for signs indicating the detour routes and drive with caution in this area.

Click "Read More" to see a map of the impacted area.

The Sylvan Lake Regional Wastewater Commission is currently constructing a Lift station and transmission line to connect Blissful Beach to their existing system.  These activities will be carried out for the most part in the roadside ditch or on Municipal reserves and should have very little impact on area residents. 

We do ask people to obey traffic signs and slow down for construction zones during this construction which will continue from now until Mid-November.

Lacombe County is excited to launch its Environmental Stewardship Award, which is designed to recognize a Lacombe County resident who practices environmental conservation and sustainability on their property. 

Any member of the public can nominate an individual for this award. A committee will select the successful recipient. The nomination period is from July 1, 2021 to August 31, 2021. Please submit applications in person or by email to . The winner will be selected by a judging panel and will receive a one-time cash prize of $1,500. 

document LC Environmental Stewardship Award Application Form (208 KB)

At the 2021 Blue Skies Awards, presented by the Parklands Airshed Management Zone (PAMZ), Lacombe County was recognized with an award for Environmental Stewardship. This award recognizes the County's long-time commitment to environmental stewardship, including the recent completion of the solar panel project.

“We are honoured to be recognized with a 2021 Blue Skies Award for our solar project, as well as many other environmental initiatives and activities that we have completed over the years, “said Lacombe County Reeve Paula Law. “We recognize the impact that organizations like PAMZ have on the health and environment in our region.”

Municipal property tax notices were recently mailed out to Lacombe County ratepayers and should be appearing in mailboxes in the coming weeks. If you do not receive your 2021 tax notice by July 15, 2021, please contact Lacombe County’s Assessment Department at 403-782-6601.

“We encourage ratepayers to be proactive and make sure they have received their tax notice from Lacombe County,” said Michael Minchin, Director of Corporate Services. “The property tax payment deadline is September 30, 2021, and penalties will be applied after this date.”

The County’s tax notice is a combined assessment and tax notice.

• Anyone wishing to appeal their assessment has 60 days from the notice of assessment date to do so. The appeal date is stated on your notice of assessment.

Long-time Lacombe County Reeve Paula Law announced today that she would not seek re-election in 2021. Reeve Law has represented Division 4 of Lacombe County for 11 years and, during that time, has acted as Councillor, Deputy Reeve, and Reeve.

“I feel honoured and privileged to serve as Division 4 Councillor and Reeve for Lacombe County, and this decision was not an easy one to make,” said Reeve Law. “From my fellow councillors to the staff at Lacombe County – this has been one of the best experiences of my life, but I feel that it is my time to move on and let someone with new ideas, thoughts and energies guide Lacombe County in the years to come.”

At its May 27, 2021 meeting, Council approved the Lacombe County 2021 operating and capital budgets and tax rate bylaw. Taking into consideration the challenging year residents and businesses faced, Lacombe County Council voted in favour of a 0% increase in municipal tax rates for all property classes. This is the second year in a row that Council has frozen municipal tax rates.

“Maintaining the services our ratepayers expect is crucial, and Lacombe County continues to be focused on reduced spending and smarter spending,” said Lacombe County Reeve Paula Law. “We recognize the uncertainty felt by our ratepayers caused by many factors, especially over the past year, and did not want to add to their stress by increasing municipal tax rates.”

Xplornet Communications Inc. would like to notify area residents of a proposal of a new telecommunications installation situated on a portion of NE 11-38-25 W4M within Lacombe County. The proposed installation will be a 45m self-support tower. All of the equipment required to operate the facility will be located inside an equipment shelter at the base of the tower.

This new telecommunications facility will improve coverage to the Lacombe County area.

Your comments are welcome at (780) 702-5687

• Written comments can be faxed to (403) 263-5623
• Emailed to
• Mailed to Scott Telecom Services Ltd.
  Suite 900, Bow Valley Square 1
  202 – 6th Avenue SW
  Calgary, AB T2P 2R9

All comments will be accepted until June 27, 2021.

Xplornet Communications Inc. would like to notify area residents of a proposal for a new telecommunications installation situated on a portion of SE 2-41-3 W5M located in Lacombe County.

The proposed installation will be a 45m self-support tower. All of the equipment required to operate the facility will be located inside an equipment shelter at the base of the tower.

This new telecommunications facility will improve coverage to the Lacombe County area.

Your comments are welcome at (780) 702-5687

• Written comments can be faxed to (403) 263-5263,
• Mailed to Scott Telecom Services Ltd.
  Suite 900, Bow Valley Square 1202 –6th Avenue SWCalgary, AB T2P 2R9
• Emailed to

All comments will be accepted until June 24, 2021

Updated, user-friendly Agricultural Guide emphasizes the importance of agriculture sustainability within Lacombe County.

Lacombe County Council recently approved an updated Agricultural Guide to help Lacombe County producers, residents and other stakeholders easily find agriculture-specific information.

“Agriculture is part of life in Lacombe County,” said Paula Law, Lacombe County Reeve. “We want to make sure it stays in the forefront, today and in the future, and the Agricultural Guide is a living document that will help ensure that.”

The guide is organized to easily assist agricultural producers and the County’s rural community by collecting policies, bylaws, legislation and County programming directly related to Lacombe County’s agriculture industry.

The Environmental Appeals Board has scheduled a hearing for the Town of Blackfalds/Water Act (Approval Nos. 00387959-00-00 & 00391359-00-00/0ur File Nos.: EAB 20-011-014 & 20-016) appeals for June 14 and 17, 2021. The hearing will take place via video conference.

The Board, as part of its normal practice when a hearing is scheduled, is providing you with a copy of its Notice of Hearing for your information (see PDF below). The Board's Notice of Hearing contains a deadline of May 6, 2021 for applications from others to make representations before the Board. After May 6, 2021 the Board will, in its discretion, determine if other persons may make representations and the manner in which they can be made.

Lacombe County lifted its fire restriction on April 23, 2021. Applications for fire permits and fireworks permits will be now be accepted.

While conditions have improved, the risk of a fire’s spreading quickly in dry conditions is not gone. All open burning requires a permit and MUST be monitored and kept under control by the permit holder at all times. Any emergency response as a result of an out-of-control permitted burn is at the expense of the permit holder.

For more information on fire permits, please visit:  https://www.lacombecounty.com/index.php/fire-permits1.

Testing for Alberta Environment & Parks (AEP) regulated water systems will be conducted in Mirror, Lakeview Estates and Aspelund Industrial Business Parks.

This summer, Lacombe County will launch a lead testing program to ensure residents have safe drinking water in their homes and businesses. This program is in response to updated guidelines put forth by the federal government, which lowers the maximum acceptable concentration of lead from 0.010 mg/L to 0.005 mg/L with the point of compliance being the resident’s tap.

Effective April 6, 2021, a Fire Restriction is in effect for all of Lacombe County due to expected warm temperatures and increased wind speeds. At this time, Lacombe County has cancelled current fire permits and has suspended any fire permit requests. We ask that ALL fires are extinguished until conditions improve.

What is permitted during a Fire Restriction?

Lacombe County will have rain barrels available for purchase for $24 + GST (50/50 cost share with the County). They will be available for purchase on Thursdays from 8am-10am, starting on April 1st.

DETAILS

• Only available for purchase on THURSDAYS between 8-10am.
• You must be a County resident and provide proof (e.g. tax notice or utility bill).
• Limit of one/household.
• There are 96 rain barrels for sale on a first-come-first-serve basis.
• Purchase yours up at the Lacombe County administration building to purchase.

Lacombe County is speaking up to support the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) in highlighting the concerns and implications of unpaid oil and gas property taxes.

Recently, the RMA provided member municipalities with the results of a survey they conducted on unpaid oil and gas property taxes borne by rural municipalities in Alberta. The survey results indicate that rural municipalities face an overall unpaid oil and gas property tax burden of $245.7 million, with still-operating oil and gas companies responsible for 57% of these unpaid taxes.

“Lacombe County recognizes the challenges facing the oil and gas industry and has a long history of partnering with companies operating in the area to grow the rural economy,” said Paula Law, Reeve of Lacombe County. “Many of our ratepayers are experiencing financial difficulties from the economic downturn and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We do not support shifting the unpaid oil and gas taxes to Lacombe County property owners because some oil and gas companies are choosing not to fulfill their property tax commitments.”

Lacombe County in partnership with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry will be selling 2% Liquid Strychnine for the control of Richardson Ground Squirrels. This will be the FINAL YEAR that Lacombe County will be selling strychnine.

Producers can purchase the product on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Lacombe County Administration Office. There is a minimum purchase of 6 bottles/customer, and each bottle costs $11.75/bottle or $282.00/case

Purchase Procedure

Lacombe County reminds ratepayers that fire permit season starts on March 1, 2021. Burning without a fire permit can result in a hefty fine. 

Ratepayers can submit their fire permits 24/7 online through the Lacombe County website (www.lacombecounty.com) or through the my Lacombe County app (iPhone users only). They can also request permits in person at the Lacombe County Office or by calling 403-782-8959 during business hours.