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Regional Roundup
April 22, 2026

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Collaboration talks between Gibbons and Sturgeon County stall

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Gibbons town council is calling for "a more mature approach to regional collaboration" as it looks for ways to solve its financial crisis. In a letter to Sturgeon County council, Mayor Rick Henderson and his council thanked the county for the work done so far, but said Gibbons will no longer pursue shared fire services and Family and Community Support Services. Council also declined support toward a legal review of its investment into the Heartland Station development and will instead manage that work independently. "Leadership means recognizing when negotiations are not progressing toward a fair or sustainable outcome," the town said in a news release. "After careful review, it became clear that the current proposals may have led to increased costs for Gibbons residents and potential impacts on our local service levels."

Gibbons council said the town has "undergone a complete shift in financial management, governance, and strategic direction" in the five and half months since the election. It said the 2026 budget reduced spending on consulting costs by $300,000, repairs and maintenance by $200,000, and goods and supplies by $477,000. The equivalent of 14 staff positions have been eliminated, representing $1.2 million in annual cost savings, the town said. This may affect service levels, but the town is adjusting to ensure that core services continue, it added.

Gibbons has also saved $1 million through debt refinancing. Council is set to vote on a borrowing bylaw that would allow it to restructure its current debentures with the province and refinance $7 million. The deal involves deferring principal payments for three years. While the extension creates additional interest over time, it's necessary to improve cash flow, the town said. The town will host information sessions about the budget on April 23 and 28.

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Economic development

Municipalities

  • In his first State of the City address, Leduc Mayor Lars Hansen outlined priorities including growth planning, affordability, and service levels.
  • Parkland County is seeking feedback on its 2026-2029 strategic plan, which sets council priorities for the next four years.
  • Parkland County said its finalized 2026 budget sets a 0.8% residential tax increase and 2.75% non-residential increase, with most of the residential increase tied to provincial policing costs.
  • The City of Leduc said it ended 2025 with a 1.1% operating surplus of $1.38 million, which council directed to operating reserves.
  • Sturgeon County council finalized the 2026 municipal tax increase at 0.73% for residential and farmland properties.
  • The City of Spruce Grove recognized 34 staff members for long service, with a combined 450 years across departments.
  • Strathcona County marked 35 years of its Victim Services Unit, which it said provides timely, compassionate support to victims of crime. In 2025, 26 volunteers spent nearly 10,000 hours helping victims through crisis.
  • The Spruce Grove Eco Centre will be open on Sundays starting on May 3.

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