South Peace News presents a series of question-and-answer features from elected local government leaders to explain goals for the coming year. Claude Rodrigue is the reeve of Northern Sunrise County. He was elected by council in October 2025 after the municipal election. It is his first term on council.
FROESE: Looking ahead to 2026, what do you want to see accomplished as a council, why and how?
RODRIGUE: Looking ahead to 2026, council’s focus is on continuing to work collaboratively to deliver on the priorities identified through an annual planning process.
Each year, council develops a strategic priorities chart alongside the CAO and the senior leadership team. This chart provides direction on council’s goals and priorities and ensures alignment with council and administration.
The chart is a living document that’s reviewed consistently throughout the year, allowing council to respond to emerging needs while staying focused on long-term objectives. It is publicly available within the CAO’s report in council meeting agenda packages, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Through this process, council can effectively guide decision making, track progress and ensure resources are invested where they will have the greatest impact for our ratepayers.
FROESE: What are the top priorities, projects, issues in 2026?
RODRIGUE: Council’s top priorities, projects, issues for 2026 are clearly outlined in the strategic priorities chart, as well as within the approved capital and operating budgets.
Key focus areas for 2026 include maintaining and improving essential infrastructure and responsibly managing municipal assets.
Capital projects include the ongoing drainage program, road and bridge maintenance, and a pavement overlay on Township Rd. 810 (Reno Rd.), bringing it to ban-free status.
In addition, council has identified the purchase and replacement of necessary equipment and vehicles as required to ensure operational efficiency and service reliability.
These priorities reflect council’s commitment to maintaining safe and reliable infrastructure while planning responsibly for the future.
FROESE: What are the key things to move the municipality forward to be sustainable and grow in the future?
RODRIGUE: A key component of moving the municipality forward is maintaining a consistent and reliable tax base to support services residents expect.
Like all municipalities, the County must balance service delivery with affordability, ensuring long-term financial sustainability. This includes actively identifying and pursuing economic development opportunities that can broaden the tax base, attract investment and create long-term benefits to the community.
One of the opportunities that the County is currently exploring and learning more about is nuclear energy and the potential for growth that comes with potential projects.
Sustainable growth allows the municipality to reinvest in infrastructure, services and community well-being without placing undue pressure on residential taxpayers.
FROESE: What are some of the most challenging things about your role as reeve?
RODRIGUE: As a newly-elected reeve, it has been a busy and challenging time as I begin to learn processes as a council member and then add to the complexity of the reeve’s position – chairing meetings understanding municipal and provincial governance structures, being ready to make decisions with council for the best of the County.
While doing that, I’m keeping a pulse on what is happening regionally, provincially, and federally, ensuring fiscal responsibility, while maintaining infrastructure and understanding that as an elected official and reeve, you are the voice of the County.
You must be respectful of everyone.
Remember, it is not you that runs the County – you are one voice of council.
Once council sets direction, it is up to the CAO and staff to implement it.
FROESE: What are the biggest challenges facing the municipality and how will council overcome them?
RODRIGUE: One of the biggest challenges facing the municipality is sustainability, particularly maintaining the current level of services our ratepayers expect without raising taxes.
Like all municipalities, the costs associated with providing services continue to escalate while downloading from other governments continues to increase.
Municipalities are also being asked to take on responsibilities that traditionally fell outside municipal jurisdiction, such as the construction and operation of medical clinics.
Council will continue to address these challenges through careful financial planning, advocating to other levels of government, exploring efficiencies and pursuing opportunities to strengthen the tax base while remaining fiscally responsible.
FROESE: What were some the biggest challenges the municipality faced in 2025?
RODRIGUE: This is a difficult question for me to answer as I was newly elected in October 2025.
One challenge that is common in every election year is the steep learning curve faced by newly-elected officials. Key decisions often need to be made almost immediately, including the approval of a provisional (interim) budget before the end of December.
Whether council members are returning or brand new, it is essential that council comes together collectively, works collaboratively with administration and remains focused on moving the County forward in a united and respectful manner.
FROESE: What was the most unexpected thing the municipality had to deal with in 2025?
RODRIGUE: This is also challenging to answer, given that I was newly elected in October 2025 and was not involved in much of the year’s activities prior to taking office.
As I continue in this role, gaining greater insight into past challenges will help inform future decision making and better prepare council for unexpected issues that may arise.
FROESE: Any other comments to add?
RODRIGUE: As an elected official, you must always stay informed of what is happening within your municipality, with your municipal neighbours and beyond across Alberta and Canada so you can make informed and fair decisions for ratepayers.
As the voice closest to the people, you must be transparent and accountable and involve ratepayers when demand is warranted.
Richard Froese
South Peace News