Candidate Information

Take the lead

Lethbridge County thrives because of passionate, community-minded leaders like YOU. If you're ready to make a difference and shape the future of our County, now is the time to step forward.

Running for Council means:

representing your neighbour's voices.
making decisions on key issues like infrastructure, agriculture and services.
building partnerships that strengthen our community.

The Role of Reeve & Councillors

Lethbridge County Council is comprised of seven (7) Councillors elected for a term of four (4) years.

Each year an Organizational Meeting is held in October where the seven members of Council elect a Reeve. This position still serves as Councillor for their Division but has added duties which involves a higher public profile and commitment of time and availability.

Council’s role is to set policies and provide a vision which form the guidelines for the daily operations of the County. Council has only one employee – the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). The CAO is directly responsible for ensuring operations are conducted in a manner that follow and support Council’s policies and vision. Council is not responsible for how the day-to-day operations of the municipality are conducted.

How Council is Governed

The Province provides the structure for local governments through legislation known as the Municipal Government Act. https://www.qp.alberta.ca

Time Commitment

Council Meetings: Two Council Meetings are scheduled per month. Additional meetings may be called to address emergent matters. Meeting preparation, including reviewing agenda materials, reports, and other related communications, is expected.

Council Committees: Councillors are appointed annually to serve on various Committees at the Organizational Meeting, based on members’ interest in the committee, as well as maintaining a balance and commitment of time. Committee schedules vary; some meet more frequently than others and are scheduled at different times (i.e. during day, during the evening).

Council Orientation and Training: Newly elected officials are now mandated by the Province to take Elected Official Training within 90 days of taking oath of office. The Elected Officials Education Program (EOEP) has developed Munis 101: The Essentials of Municipal Governance. This is a two-day course that will provide new and returning councillors with everything they need to not only meet mandatory training requirements but also succeed in their roles moving forward.

Conferences & Conventions: Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) holds two annual conventions in the Spring and Fall. RMA plays a key role in representing municipal interests to the Provincial government. In an election year, the convention will focus on educating new Reeves and Councillors. For this reason, newly elected officials should be prepared to attend this conference. There may be other conferences throughout the year.

Public Appearances: Councillors are expected to represent Lethbridge County at various public events. Due to the position, the Reeve will typically attend more public appearances. These can include award ceremonies, parades, celebrations, etc.

Communication: Councillors are expected to read and respond to communication from ratepayers, stakeholders and the CAO in a timely manner.

Nomination Package & Important Dates

Nomination period: Wednesday, January 1, 2025 - 12 p.m. Monday, September 22, 2025
Nomination Day: Monday, September 22, 2025 (This is the last day you can file nomination papers. Papers must be filed by 12 p.m.)
Advance Vote: TBD (Lethbridge County Admin Office)
Voting Day: Monday, October 20, 2025, locations TBD

Forms:

Coming soon

Find your division