Bonnyville council has approved moving forward with a new intermunicipal subdivision and development appeal board (SDAB) agreement following the M.D. of Bonnyville’s decision to withdraw from the existing regional arrangement.

According to administration, the Town received formal notice from the M.D. of Bonnyville on March 13, 2026, advising it would be withdrawing from both the joint SDAB and the joint assessment review board agreements.

To maintain operational continuity, the Town began working toward a new partnership agreement with the Village of Glendon, the Summer Village of Bonnyville Beach and the Summer Village of Pelican Narrows.

The SDAB is responsible for hearing appeals related to subdivision and development decisions made by municipalities.

During council discussion, members reviewed several aspects of the proposed agreement, including representation, training requirements, remuneration and long-term operational costs.

One councillor questioned whether all participating municipalities would be expected to provide trained board representatives.

Administration explained that the agreement anticipates that each municipality will supply members, but also includes provisions allowing the Town of Bonnyville to appoint representatives on behalf of a partner municipality if sufficient members are unavailable.

Council also discussed the honorarium schedule included in the agreement, which administration acknowledged is currently higher than the Town’s standard policy rates.

Administration explained the rates were maintained in part to ensure fairness for existing volunteers who had already committed to serving under the previous structure, which originally involved five municipalities.

Further discussion focused on cost efficiency and how expenses would be handled moving forward.

Administration clarified that costs associated with hearings and meetings would be charged directly to the municipality where the appeal originates, rather than becoming a blanket expense shared solely by the Town of Bonnyville.

Council members noted the arrangement helps maintain a regional approach while ensuring municipalities remain responsible for their own appeal-related costs.

Following the discussion, council passed a motion directing administration to proceed with the execution of the new agreement.