Council Members
Athabasca County Council was elected on October 18, 2021 for a four-year term. The County consists of nine Electoral Divisions and one Councillor is elected in each division. The Reeve is elected at an annual Organizational Meeting from among the nine Council Members.
Contact Council
If you wish to get in touch with a member of Athabasca County Council please do so by emailing them directly or calling the County Admin Office at 780-675-2273.
Division 1 – Joe Gerlach – Rochester/Perryvale
Division 2 – Natasha Kapitaniuk – Colinton area
nkapitaniuk@athabascacounty.com
Division 3 – Ashtin Anderson – Boyle area
Division 4 – Brian Hall – SW Athabasca
Division 5 – Tracy Holland – Reeve – East Athabasca
Division 6 – Gary Cromwell – Wandering River area
Division 7 – Kelly Chamzuk – Grassland area
Division 8 – Rob Minns – Deputy Reeve – Northwest, Baptiste/Island Lake
Division 9 – Camille Wallach – North of Athabasca River
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
During each elected term, Athabasca County Council gathers with their senior managers to determine the best way to meet the needs of County residents now and into the future. To that end, in November 2022, Council and Administration met to develop the strategic plan which can be read below. The Plan is made up of Council’s expressed goals for the for the County and provides County citizens, businesses, organizations, and other community stakeholders with an indication of a bright future for Athabasca County.
Please read the Strategic Plan with the link
Public Hearings
When are public hearings held?
In accordance to the Municipal Government Act (MGA), when this or another enactment requires council to hold a public hearing on a proposed bylaw or resolution, the public hearing must be held, unless another enactment specifies otherwise,
(a) before second reading of the bylaw, or,
(b) before council votes on the resolution.
Public Hearings are an opportunity for ratepayers to inform Council of support or opposition to certain items, such as Bylaws.
Athabasca County Procedural Bylaw
A BYLAW OF ATHABASCA COUNTY TO REGULATE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL PURSUANT TO THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT ACT, RSA 2000, C. M-26, AS AMENDED.
- Public hearings will be held in accordance with Section 230 of the Municipal Government Act;
- The Reeve shall chair all public meetings;
- The Chair shall declare the public hearing in session, state the purpose of the public hearing and outline the public procedures;
- The County Manager (or designate) shall present an overview and summary regarding the resolution, bylaw, or matter to be dealt with, as well as any written submissions received prior to the public hearing;
- The Chair shall request those who wish to make a verbal presentation to identify themselves. A person who does not identify himself or herself will not be given the opportunity to speak. Those wishing to speak in support of the bylaw resolution will be invited to make the first presentation. Presentations by those in opposition of the bylaw or resolution shall present second. The Chair shall then open the floor to public presentations;
- Public presentations may be made verbally, in writing, or both, with copies of written submission being filed with the County Manager;
- Presentations shall be directed to the chair and be limited to five (5) minutes in duration unless there is consent by the members to extend this limit;
- Persons making presentations may be questioned by Council and Administration for clarification, however, Council shall not enter into debate during a Public Hearing;
- The Chair shall invite the applicant to make closing comments, if any;
- Following verbal presentations, the County (or designate) will respond to any questions from Council;
- The Chair shall close the public hearing;
- Once the public hearing is closed, the Chair shall advise that no further information on the matter shall be received by Council;
- The Chair may recess or postpone the public hearing;
- If a public hearing is recessed or postponed, Council shall not receive any additional submissions in relation to the subject matter until it reconvenes the public hearing;
- Debate concerning matters raised at the public hearing shall take place during a Council meeting following or subsequent to after the public hearing is closed.
