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Birch Hills County
Birch Hills County is located in the Central Peace Region, bordered by the Peace River to the North and the Smoky River to the East. Located within the County are the hamlets of Eaglesham, Peoria, Tangent, Wanham and Watino. Oil and Gas provide the largest sector of employment in the County.
Council Meeting Being Held Virtually
Due to maintaining Public Health measures, on March 09, 2021 the Regular Council & ASB Meeting will be held virtually.
Please join the council meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone
Paying Bills Online
Pay your bills with telephone or online banking through:
- ATB
- Scotia Bank
- Credit Union
- TD Canada Trust
- CIBC
- BMO
- E-Transfer to: finance@birchhillscounty.com
Pay your bills now with OptionPay
Birch Hills County is pleased to announce that we are now accepting payments with select credit cards through our OptionPay System. Payments for municipal services may be paid online or through the Administration Office.
OptionPay is a payment card system Birch Hills County uses for its credit card transactions. You can find more information on OptionPay by visiting their website.
March 1, 2021
WILDFIRE SEASON starts
Make sure it’s out. Please check your fall and winter burn piles early in the spring to make sure they’re out. If the fire is not put out properly, it can smolder underground and resurface as a wildfire.
Land Use Bylaw Amendment Public Hearing
The Land Use Bylaw Amendment No. 2021 – 02 received First Reading on February 23rd, 2021, click here to view. A copy of the bylaw is also available in person at the County office.
A Public Hearing will be held on March 23rd, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. during the Regular Council meeting in the Council Chambers at the County office.
If you have questions about the Bylaw or process, please contact the Development Officer or the Development Clerk at the County office (780-694-3793).
Public is requested to submit any concerns they may have regarding this Bylaw in writing to Birch Hills County, Box 157 Wanham, AB T0H 3P0 within fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice with the deadline being March 16, 2021 or attend (virtually) the Public Hearing.
A Bylaw of Birch Hills County, in the Province of Alberta, to amend the Birch Hills County Land Use Bylaw No. 2019-06.
Add to section 9.1 the use of Recreational Vehicles as temporary structures on site during the construction of the principal building.
NOTICE OF NOMINATION DAY
Local Authorities Election Act (Section 26)
Local Jurisdiction: BIRCH HILLS COUNTY, Province of Alberta
Notice is hereby given that Nomination Day is Monday, September 20, 2021 and that nominations for the election of candidates for the following offices will be received at the location of the Birch Hills County office from January 1, 2021 between the hours of 8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. up to September 20, 2021 between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 12:00 noon.
Number of Electoral
Office Vacancies Division Number
County Councillor 1 Ward 1
County Councillor 1 Ward 2
County Councillor 1 Ward 3
County Councillor 1 Ward 4
County Councillor 1 Ward 5
County Councillor 1 Ward 6
County Councillor 1 Ward 7
Location of Local Jurisdiction Office:
BIRCH HILLS COUNTY OFFICE
4601 50 Street
Lot 3 Plan 9523066
Wanham Alberta
Dated at Birch Hills County in the Province of Alberta, this 31st day of December, 2020.
Election Personnel Required
On Monday, October 18, 2021 Birch Hills County may be conducting a Municipal Election. The voting stations and number of personnel required will be determined after Nomination Day on September 20, 2021. Please submit your Expression of Interest to:
Shelley Braun, Returning Officer
2021 Municipal Elections Information link:
Candidate Information Guide 2021
Part Time Employment Opportunity
Custodian Position
Birch Hills County is looking for a Custodian for the Administration Building.
Position Summary
The Custodian provides professional cleaning and maintenance services for the Administration Building, including Council chambers, public works operations office and agriculture services operations office. This position is also responsible for maintaining an inventory and ordering required cleaning supplies and paper products for county facilities (unscented and allergen free whenever possible).
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities include:
- Ability to perform all duties safely and to a high degree of quality, timeliness and precision.
- Interact well and respond to inquiries from senior leadership team, council, other staff and ratepayers.
- Function as a team member and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive information.
- Minimum grade 12
- Must have a valid class 5 driver’s license, be able to provide an acceptable driver’s abstract and a satisfactory criminal record check.
A detailed job description is available on upon request.
Position Details: Part Time Position
Hours of Work: Anytime between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. estimated 10 hours per week
Work schedule will be reviewed/setup with successful candidate / Contract services will also be considered
May be required to occasionally work additional hours
To apply for this position, please submit your resume with a covering letter detailing why you believe that you are a suitable candidate for this position to Shelley Braun, Director of Corporate Services by one of the following methods:
By mail: Shelley Braun, DCS Birch Hills County, PO Box 157, Wanham AB T0H 3P0
By email: shelleyb@birchhillscounty.com
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates invited for interviews will be contacted.
Grande Spirit Foundation - Lodge Vacancies
Summerset Manor in Eaglesham and Poplar ridge in Wanham have one bedroom apartments available. Heat, water, sewer, fridge, stove, washer and dryer are included in the rent. Please contact Julie at 780-532-3276 Ext 110 or email jrodgers@grandespirit.org for more details. See more info at www.grandespirit.org.
Eaglesham AG Society Presents:
Active Living Challenge
Set you own weekly goal, all intentional movement counts, track your Km's, report your progress weekly, access to private Facebook group
Sarts: March 01, 2021
Ends: June 27, 2021
Register Now: www.evenbrite.com
Search for Rural Connection & Activity Challenge
2021 Recreation Operating Assistance Grant Applications Are Available
The Birch Hills County Recreation Board is now accepting applications for the Recreational Operating Assistance Grant for funding from groups and organizations within the County. The funding policies, guidelines and application forms may be picked up at the Birch Hills County Office Wanham during office hours or to download a copy click here
To qualify for Birch Hills County Recreation Board Funding your Organization must reside in Birch Hills County. Completed application with the required documentation must be returned to the Birch Hills County office by 4:30 p.m. on Friday March 12th, 2021. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Rick Bastow, CAO at Birch Hills County office at 780-694-3793.
Employment Opportunity Seasonal Positions
Birch Hills County is currently looking to fill the following Seasonal Positions:
Agriculture Department:
Road Side Mower (May 3 – August 28)
Weed Inspector/Sprayer (May 3 – August 28)
Summer Labourer (July 5 – August 28)
Public Works Department:
Seasonal Labourers (May 3 – August 28)
Qualifications:
- Must possess a minimum of a valid Class 5 driver’s license and provide a driver abstract
- Knowledge of Birch Hills County and the ability to read a county map (TWP & RR Legal Land Locations)
- Ability to multi-task, be organized and adapt to changing environment/weather conditions
- Must have or be willing to obtain First Aid and H2S certificates
- Ability and willingness to perform physical labour
Please send resumes in confidence and indicate which position you are applying for to:
Kathrin Langlois, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman at kathrinl@birchhillscounty.com (Department of Agriculture Positions)
Or
Dion Hynes, Director of Public Works at dionh@birchhillscounty.com (Public Works Positions)
Applications will be accepted until suitable qualified candidates are selected. Birch Hills County would like to thank all those interested in the positions. Only those considered for an interview will be contacted.
Free Tax Clinics
If you have a modest income and a simple tax situation, volunteers can do your tax return for you
Where:
Wanham Administration Building Monday, March 15 from 9am - 4pm. 4601-50 Street.
Eaglesham Hall Tuesday, March 16 from 9am - 4pm. 5105-48 Avenue.
For questions or to book contact:
Crystal Tremblay - Director
Smoky River Family and Community Support Services
Phone 780-837-2220
Do you have questions about the decommissioned railway line in Birch Hills County?
Residents with questions related to access of the decommissioned railway line are encouraged to contact Lucy Stevenson, Tax/Development Clerk at 780-694-3793 or lucys@birchhillscounty.com
December 08, 2020
Attention
The Birch Hills County Administration building will be closed to the public, except by appointment in response to new Provincial COVID restrictions. The new public health measures come into effect December 08, 2020 and will be in effect until further notice.
To schedule an appointment phone 780-694-3793. County Administration building is open Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 8:15 am – 4:30 pm
Wanham Lagoon
Please be advised as of June 30, 2020 the lagoon in Wanham for waste water is temporarily closed until further notice.
Council discussed the future of this infrastructure and at their Regular Council meeting on September 10, 2020, passed a resolution inviting the public to contact Birch Hills County either by email with ‘Wanham Lagoon’ in the Subject line to cao@birchhillscounty.com or mail a letter addressed to CAO Bastow Box 157 Wanham, AB T0H 3P0 if they do or do not support the closure of the Wanham Lagoon. Please ensure your submission is received prior to 4:00 p.m. on December 31, 2020.
RMA Launches Internet Speed Test Project
Highspeed rural internet is critical for economic development, engaging in the digital economy, and working and learning from home. The Government of Canada has announced the goal of providing access to 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds to all Canadians by 2030. The internet speed test will allow RMA to demonstrate the current state of broadband in rural Alberta and use this information to drive advocacy for federal funding. Visit: https://rmalberta.com/news/rma-launches-internet-speed-testing-project/
Service Canada
Service Canada has financial help during COVID-19 for Seniors, Youth and Businesses.
The online link allows you to search and apply for the needed financial help during these trying times.
https://covid-benefits.alpha.canada.ca/en/start
For a complete list of programs, services and resources available through the Government of Canada visit:
ABTraceTogether
Let's work together to stay safe. ABTraceTogether is a mobile contact tracing app that helps to let you know if you've been exposed to COVID-19 – or if you've exposed others – while protecting your privacy. To learn more visit: https://www.alberta.ca/ab-trace-together.aspx
Community Newsletter
Read the newsletters for Eaglesham and Wanham.
Check out the Town of Spirit River's Community Connect.
Oil and Gas Assessment Model
The Provincial Government is considering a reduction to the property tax of oil and gas companies.
Birch Hills County Council and Administration are extremely concerned about the impacts of this decision because it will mean an increase in property tax, reduction of services, or a combination of both to make up for this lost revenue.
For complete media release click here. For further inquires please contact CAO Rick Bastow at 780-694-3793 or cao@birchhillscounty.com.
Birch Hills County Board Member Needed
Birch Hills County is looking to fill one seat on the Recreation Board for Ward 4. The Recreation Board meets once per year, approximately around March/April, to discuss the grant application from local non-profits who apply for the annual allocated funds set by council. A requirement is that you live in the Ward that you will represent. Please submit a letter of interest to the County office email cao@birchhillscounty.com or call 780-694-3793 and ask for Rick Bastow, CAO for more information.
December 01, 2018
The Burnt River Crossing is closed.
COVID-19 Info for Albertans: 
We recommend that you use the Government of Alberta website (see link below) for the most up-to-date information about COVID-19. Locally, Central Peace Regional Emergency Management has launched a website and a Facebook page containing the latest information on COVID-19.
Central Peace Regional Emergency Management:
Other trusted Sources of Information include:
If you know someone without a computer, have them dial 811.
Business Resilience Service
This service will help entrepreneurs and small business owners in need of financial planning advice, particularly those who may not have access to an accountant. The service will also be open to not-for-profit organizations and charities. The hotline is a national, bilingual service operated by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST). The toll-free number is 1-866-989-1080.
