LEGISLATIVE & INFORMATION

LEGISLATIVE & INFORMATION SERVICES BRANCH

Communications

Communications produced 11 editions of the Your County In Touch newsletter, which keeps residents informed about County projects and services.

The department developed a crisis communications plan, which will guide the County in the event of an emergency.

In collaboration with the Economic Development department, staff wrote content for, designed, and printed the 2020 Visitor Guide, which promotes the County as a tourist destination choice in northern Alberta.

Staff collaborated with contractors Marcomm Works and Trend Research Inc. to conduct the 2019 Citizen Satisfaction Survey which showed that, generally, citizens have become more satisfied with County programs and services since 2015.

Information Technology

Information Technology continued to support County staff and Council, fulfilling work orders that kept County-provided computers, phones, and other technology in good working condition.

Staff collaborated with other departments on a variety of projects, including implementing new meeting management software (eSCRIBE), setting up the new Bold Center LED sign, launching a new Bold Center website, and assisting with moving the Enforcement Services department to the Bold Center.

The department provided support for 32 regular Council meetings, 14 special Council meetings, and one organizational meeting, including agenda preparation and recording minutes.

Staff established the Policy Manual Update Committee, which works to ensure that all County policies are relevant and up-todate. The Committee held 10 meetings and reviewed a total of 41 policies in 2019.

Along with Finance & Grants, Legislative Services helped administer the 2019 Municipal Census. The numbers from the census will be used to determine the County’s grant funding from a variety of government organizations.

The department processed 11 Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act requests.

Legislative Services implemented new meeting management software (eSCRIBE), which gives both Council and the public easier access to full agenda packages before meetings.

The County’s records and information continued to be analyzed and audited in 2019 based on international and Canadian standards.

The Records Retention and Disposition Bylaw was passed in 2019, providing regulations for the management, retention, and disposal of County records and information.

Staff held interdepartmental meetings and consultations throughout the year with other County departments. These actions ensured that County records comply with local, national, and international standards.

The department centralized and digitized the following records for future information requests: • Agreements and contracts; • Historic land use bylaws; • Historic amalgamation records; • Historic elections results; and • Historic land use and council motions.

THE 2019 MUNICIPAL CENSUS: MUCH MORE THAN JUST A COUNTING EXERCISE

Every few years, the County conducts a census to update the County’s population. An accurate count ensures that the County receives its fair share of grants and government funding; it also helps the County understand the audiences we serve, leading us to plan better programs and services.

The County held the Municipal Census between April 17 and June 30, 2019.

To start, residents were sent letters with unique PIN numbers, allowing them to voluntarily complete the census online, over the phone, or in-person at the County Centre’s front desk. After a two-week period, those who hadn’t yet responded were visited by County enumerators, who went door-to-door to assist those who hadn’t yet completed the short survey.

The County’s total recorded population was 9,636. Of this total, 8,654 were permanent residents, while 982 belonged to the shadow population (those living in the County for work but who have a permanent residence in another municipality). This is similar to 2016’s counts, which recorded 8,544 permanent and 987 shadow residents.

The County submitted the results to the province, which have since been approved. A summary of the census report is available on laclabichecounty.com.

PARTICIPATE ONLINE STARTING APRIL 17, 2019— WATCH FOR YOUR PIN IN THE MAIL!

ENTER

YOUR

PIN online at www.censusalberta.ca/laclabichecounty to complete the census.

If you didn’t receive a PIN or haven’t completed the census online, an enumerator will visit your household starting May 1, 2019.

Visit laclabichecounty.com for more information.

Call 780-623-6804 or email census@laclabichecounty.com if you have any questions.