After being elected on Monday County of Grande Prairie Reeve Bob Marshall says that he is still feeling honoured and humbled that his peers at council put him in the position of Reeve. He says with that in mind he knows that there is a lot on the table at the county.
“Especially going into the budget, and with the economic condition and with the climate we are in right now there is going to be lots of challenges ahead of us to try to maintain our essential services; and how do we minimize the impact on our ratepayers. Especially with these high inflationary times.” Marshall says.
Marshall explains that if you look at the county’s strategic plan it is things ratepayers have been saying to the councillors over the years. One example that Marshall shares are the continuous conversation about maintaining the county’s transportation systems and road network. He adds that people are on the roads most days because they have to get to work, and get places.
“It is also about being fiscally sustainable and responsible with the tax dollars are entrusted to us, and making sure that they are put in critical projects that support what our ratepayers need and want.”
Marshall says that there are several positive economic forecast indicators for the region. Councillor Leanne Beaupre will be taking part in an economic development summit in Calgary to encourage more industry in the region, and Nodical working on a large methanal plant in the south by warehouser and international paper are two examples he gives. He says that big projects like these will help the county meet the needs of their residents.