About Strathcona County
Vision Statement
Strathcona County is a safe, caring and autonomous community that treasures its unique blend of urban and rural lifestyles while balancing the natural environment with economic prosperity. Through strong, effective leadership, the County is a vibrant community of choice.
Strathcona County, a specialized municipality
Strathcona is called a "County," yet its status is actually something that many people may not have heard of. It is classified by the Government of Alberta as a specialized municipality.
Strathcona County's status reverted to that of a municipal district when the County Act was repealed in January, 1995. On January 1, 1996, Strathcona County's status legally changed from a municipal district to a specialized municipality - only the second in Alberta.
This classification provides for the unique needs of a municipality that includes both a large urban centre and a significant rural territory and population.
The Sherwood Park Urban Service Area is recognized as the equivalent to a city by the Government of Alberta, and the Rural Service Area (meaning the territory of Strathcona County excluding the Sherwood Park Urban Service Area) for the purposes of enactments, is treated as a municipal district.
As a specialized municipality, Strathcona County consists of the urban area of Sherwood Park and an extensive rural area which includes eight rural hamlets. These are Antler Lake, Ardrossan, Collingwood Cove, Half Moon Lake, Hastings Lake, Josephburg, North Cooking Lake and South Cooking Lake.
Contact information for County Hall
Information on municipal government in rural Alberta http://www.aamdc.com
Last updated: Thursday, November 24, 2011
Page ID: 2089