Welcome to the Government section for Clearwater County. This page provides an inside look at how Clearwater County is governed, how public policy is made, and how our local democracy functions.
What You’ll Find Here:
- Council Leadership & Structure — details about councillors, the Reeve, and how residents can engage (e.g. drop-in sessions, ward maps, request to appear before Council).
- Meetings & Decisions — access to meeting agendas and minutes, closed session rules, and public input opportunities.
- Budget & Finance — municipal grants, budget documents, restricted surplus, and policies on taxation and fiscal planning.
- Strategic Planning & Policy — Clearwater County’s vision, mission, values, bylaws, policies, and long-term strategic plans.
- Boards, Committees & Partnerships — how the County collaborates through intermunicipal agreements, committees, and regional initiatives.
- Election & Governance Tools — information on municipal elections, candidate resources, access to information, and studies such as the governance or amalgamation reviews.
- Legal & Administrative Tools — bylaws, policies, recall petitions, and governance studies (e.g. 2021 Regional Governance, Amalgamation).
This section connects residents to the heart of local government—showing how decisions are made, where power lies, and how you can stay involved.
Council
Clearwater County is known for its small-community feel and friendly character, qualities that have been preserved even as it has grown to become Alberta’s 38th largest community.
While maintaining the high quality of life residents have enjoyed for decades, County Council and staff work together to manage growth responsibly. From developing new lands and roadways to advancing long-term planning initiatives, their efforts continue to build a dynamic and diverse community.
County Council is committed to meeting the evolving needs of residents and businesses while preserving what makes our community special.
Explore the sub-pages to learn more about Council’s vision, strategic priorities, and governance structure.
Governance vs. Operation: Understanding the Difference
Running a municipality takes teamwork, it helps to think of municipal government as a team with two key roles that make it all work: governance and operations. Both are essential, but they serve very difference purposes.
| County Council (governance) | Administration (operations) |
|---|---|
| County Council is made up of an elected Reeve and Councillors that residents elect. Their main job is governance, this means setting the vision, priorities, and polices for the community. Think of them as the board of directors of a company:
| The Administration is made up of the CAO (Chief Administrative Officer) and staff. Their job is operations, this means carrying out the decisions made by Council and managing the day-to-day running of the County. Think of them as the managers and staff of the company:
So, if Council sets the direction to improve a service, then Administration will design the upgrades, hire the contractors, and make sure the project gets done on time and on budget. |
Why It Matters?
- Council can focus on leading and making good decisions for the future.
- Administration can focus on delivering services efficiently and effectively.
- The community benefits from a well-run, accountable, and responsive local government.
