CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

COMMUNICATIONS

Staff refreshed the Lac La Biche County website, improving its aesthetics and revamping access to important County information for residents and visitors alike.

Communications added snow removal notifications to the Local Emergency Alerting System, allowing residents to optionally sign up for notifications to know when to remove their vehicles from the street.

The department produced 12 editions of the Your County In Touch newsletter, which is delivered to thousands of County residents and provides information about important programs and services.

Communications created a number of large County publications in collaboration with other departments, including the 2021 and 2022 budget documents, the 2021 Visitor Guide, the 2020 Year In Review, and 2022 Green Initiatives Calendar.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

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

Many projects were completed in collaboration with other departments, including a telephone system replacement that provides better functionality and saves the County $25,000 yearly.

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)

GIS continues to support residents, businesses, staff, and Council by providing timely and accurate mapping information. The small team produced over 300 maps for various stakeholders and consolidated all maps onto one webpage, making information more accessible.

LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

Legislative Services staff managed the 2021 Municipal, Senate, and Referendum Election, including provincial votes from Beaver Lake Cree Nation and Heart Lake First Nation. Voter turnout was approximately 56% of the electorate. A new Council was sworn in and provided with orientation soon after beginning their four-year term.

The Terms of Reference for the Indigenous Collaboration Committee was updated and adopted in 2021.

Staff provided support for 31 Regular Council Meetings, 13 Special Council Meetings, and one organizational meeting.

The department responded to 14 Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act requests, and completed 10 routine disclosures of information.

Staff brought a number of significant bylaws and policies before Council, including the Election Bylaw, the Amendment to the Election Bylaw, Election Sign Bylaw, Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Bylaw, Amendment to Meeting Procedures Bylaw, Elected Official Remuneration Policy, and Communications Support for Council Policy.

The department recruited 21 members-at-large for a number of committees in 2021.

Staff continued to use eSCRIBE and other electronic meeting software to allow Council, committees, and boards to safely meet during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RECORDS & INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

The department completed 271 information search requests for County departments.

Staff digitized 5,065 property files as part of the vital records program. 478 land title changes were also filed and digitized. All County records and information were centralized to McArthur Place. This includes the renovation of the records storage room, the relocation of property file mobile shelving, the teardown of the old shelving in the records storage, and the installation of new mobile shelving.

Staff continued to provide other supports to County staff for office supplies, office mail delivery, and shredding services.

LAC LA BICHE COUNTY LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

In late 2021, Lac La Biche County launched a brand new website, refreshing its look to reflect the progressive, sustainable community that we aspire to be. Staff took the opportunity to update the website’s content, ensuring that information was current and easier for residents and visitors to find. A number of new electronic forms were also added to the website, helping residents access programs and services more directly from mobile devices.

Staff continue to work on improving the website. Have an idea or feedback to share with us? Drop us a line at communications@laclabichecounty.com.