- Set strategic goals and priorities for the organization.
- Establish policies, set service levels, and approve budgets.
- Represent public interest.
City Council
Your 2025 to 2029 City Council
Wetaskiwin's City Council is the legislative body that represents the residents of Wetaskiwin. The Mayor and six Councillors lead and establish policies and priorities for Wetaskiwin's municipal government. They also establish the budget for municipal operations and capital expenditures.
Wetaskiwinites vote for their Mayor and Councillors in a general election held every four years. The most recent general election took place on October 20, 2025.
Council's Mission & Vision Statement
Mission: The City of Wetaskiwin fosters strong relationships, community pride, and opportunities for citizens.
Vision: Wetaskiwin is a secure, connected, and inclusive community.
Municipal Roles & Responsibilities
- Utilities (water, sewer, wastewater)
- Local Parks and Trails
- Local Streets and Roads
- City Hall
- Property Taxes (Municipal Portion)
- Garbage and Recycling
- Municipal Enforcement
- Fees, Permits, and Licences
- Fire Service
- Recreation Facilities
- Municipal Snow Removal
Back row (left to right): Councillor Mark Elder, Councillor Laura White, Councillor Dean Billingsley, Councillor Karen Aberle. Front row (left to right): Councillor Wendy Hoyle, Mayor Joe Branco, Councillor Wayne Neilson.
Get to Know Your Council
Mayor Joe Branco
Ph: 780.361.4409 | Email Joe
Joe Branco, born in 1959 in the Azores, Portugal, immigrated to Canada in 1967 and settled in Galt, Ontario (now Cambridge, Ontario) before moving to Wetaskiwin in 1978. Married to Nancy, they have four sons and anticipate the arrival of two grandchildren this spring.
Outside of Council, Joe loves to travel, cook, and collect vintage cars.
Joe currently represents the City on the following boards and committees:
- Agenda Review Committee
- Finance and Audit Committee
- Emergency Advisory Committee
- Joint City/School Board Committee
- Intermunicipal Relations Committee
- Mid City Mayors
- Northern Alberta Mayors
- Central Alberta Mayors
Councillor Karen Aberle
Ph: 780.361.4409 | Email Karen
Deputy Mayor for September and October 2026
Dr. Karen Aberle is originally from Treaty 7 Territory, having been born and raised in Calgary. Now living, working, and volunteering in Treaty 6 Territory and the Métis Region 4, and is working towards better understanding and fulfilling her Treaty responsibilities and pursuing meaningful reconciliation. Karen’s educational background is in Archaeology/Anthropology and Classics (Greek and Roman Studies) in which she earned a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of British Columbia in 2012.
Dr. Aberle moved to Wetaskiwin in 2013 to run the Wetaskiwin District Heritage Museum Centre and has helped organize many community events, including Canada’s Agriculture Day, Canada Day, Orange Shirt Day, Celebrating our First Communities, Sisters in Spirit, and Taste of Wetaskiwin. She also volunteers with a variety of projects and assists other non-profit groups with their events and fundraising. Karen is currently a member of the Wetaskiwin Arts and Music Festival, as well as an LGBTQ2S+ ally and advocate.
Dr. Aberle is dedicated to using her experience to help make Wetaskiwin stronger and a place we are all proud to call home, and is humbled by the community’s trust to serve them as one of their elected representatives.
Karen currently represents the City on the following boards and committees:
- Finance and Audit Committee
- Emergency Advisory Committee
- Assessment Review Boards (LARB and CARB)
- Subdivision and Development Appeal Board
- Community Public Art Committee
- Wetaskiwin Community Transportation Society
- Yellowhead Regional Library Board (alternate)
Councillor Dean Billingsley
Ph: 780.361.4409 | Email Dean
Deputy Mayor for November and December 2025
Councillor Billingsley is currently in his third term on Wetaskiwin City Council and is an active and engaged member of the community. Prior to joining City Council, Councillor Billingsley had owned a local business for 25 years and worked for a well-known car dealership on the world-famous Wetaskiwin Auto Mile. Councillor Billingsley has lived in Wetaskiwin since 1991 and raised his family here.
When asked why he ran for council, Dean stated he "felt compelled to contribute to our community in a way that had an immediate impact. In that first term, [he] was proud to have been part of the team who challenged Administration to find savings that have totaled more than one million dollars to-date." Going forward, he wants to continue to find ways for our community grow to help reduce the tax burden to all citizens.
The main reason Dean calls Wetaskiwin home is the people. Wetaskiwin is a community rich in dedicated, determined, and friendly people who have made Wetaskiwin the city that it is today. Dean is proud to call Wetaskiwin home as it offers his family everything they need.
Dean currently represents the City on the following boards and committees:
- Finance and Audit Committee
- Emergency Advisory Committee
- Wetaskiwin Community Transportation Society (alternate)
- Intermunicipal Relations Committee
- Leduc, Nisku, and Wetaskiwin Regional Chamber of Commerce
Councillor Mark Elder
Ph: 780.361.4409 | Email Mark
Deputy Mayor for July and August 2026
Mark Elder was elected to Wetaskiwin City Council on October 20, 2025, and officially took his oath of office on October 27, 2025. Mark was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and has lived in Wetaskiwin for 42 years.
With a background as a professional photographer. Mark has dedicated 38 years to capturing special moments. He has photographed sporting events, weddings, families, and commercial projects.
Outside of work, Mark is actively involved in the community through the Wetaskiwin Iceman Board. He enjoys hockey, martial arts, baseball, and golf.
As a Councillor, Mark is committed to fiscal responsibility, community safety, and community pride.
Mark currently represents the City on the following boards and committees:
- Finance and Audit Committee
- Emergency Advisory Committee
- Assessment Review Boards (LARB and CARB)
- Peace Hills Utilities Board
- Wetaskiwin Police Committee
- Wetaskiwin and Area Lodge Authority
- Leduc, Nisku, and Wetaskiwin Regional Chamber of Commerce (alternate)
Deputy Mayor for March and April 2026
Wendy Hoyle was elected to Wetaskiwin City Council on October 20, 2025, and officially took her oath of office on October 27, 2025. Wendy was born in Calgary and has lived in Wetaskiwin for 55 years. She is married, has two grown daughters and two grandsons.
Wendy is trained and holds certification in early childhood development. She dedicated 38 years to supporting pre-school children and their families in the community. She has 25 years of experience in the grocery sector, where she was a front-end manager. Wendy also holds a financial accounting certificate.
Wendy is passionate about volunteerism. She has sat on various community boards over the years, most recently as the board chair for Wetaskiwin FCSS for the past four years. She was the coordinator of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Wetaskiwin 1993 Summer Games and co-founder of the Wetaskiwin Dance Society.
Wendy enjoys travelling, walking, reading, and spending time with family.
As a Councilor, Wendy is committed to making sure all residents of Wetaskiwin have their questions and concerns acknowledged and answered. She feels strongly that everyone should feel welcome and safe in our community. Wendy believes that if we work together, we can make Wetaskiwin the community that we can all be proud of to call home.
“A community that is engaged and working together can be a powerful force.”
- Idowu Koyenikan
Wendy currently represents the City on the following boards and committees:
- Finance and Audit Committee
- Emergency Advisory Committee
- Subdivision and Development Appeal Board
- Wetaskiwin Public Library Board
- Peace Hills Utilities Board
- Family and Community Support Services Board
- Joint City/School Board Committee (alternate)
- Intermunicipal Relations Committee
Councillor Wayne Neilson
Ph: 780.361.4409 | Email Wayne
Deputy Mayor for May and June 2026
Wayne has lived in Wetaskiwin for nearly 40 years with his wife, Carol. Together, they raised their two (now grown) children and are enjoying their four grandsons. Prior to retiring, Wayne was the principal of Wetaskiwin Composite High School and has always been involved in volunteering, teaching, and coaching in the community. He is a huge advocate for what he calls a "tremendous community" filled with outstanding citizens and business leaders.
Wayne is now serving his fourth term as Councillor and enjoys the challenge of trying to make the best decisions possible to improve, grow, and market the City.
Wayne currently represents the City on the following boards and committees:
- Finance and Audit Committee
- Emergency Advisory Committee
- Assessment Review Boards (LARB and CARB) (alternate)
- Community Public Art Committee (alternate)
- Peace Hills Utilities Board
- Family and Community Support Services Board
- Wetaskiwin and Area Lodge Authority
- Intermunicipal Relations Committee (alternate)
Ph: 780.361.4409 | Email Laura
Deputy Mayor for January and February 2026
Laura White was elected to Wetaskiwin City Council on October 20, 2025, and officially took her oath of office on October 27, 2025. Laura has lived in Wetaskiwin for 19 years.
With a background in the electrical utility industry, Laura has dedicated 25 years to FortisAlberta. Her recent work has focused on managing licensed occupancy/joint-use agreements.
Outside of work, Laura is actively involved in the community through her church, family, the library board, various political movements, and teaching classical cello music lessons.
As a Councilor, Laura is committed to raising standards of excellent service and proper governance.
Laura currently represents the City on the following boards and committees:
- Finance and Audit Committee
- Emergency Advisory Committee
- Regional Community Safety and Well-being Committee
- Wetaskiwin Public Library Board
- Joint City/School Board Committee
- Yellowhead Regional Library Board
Connect with Council
Members of the public may submit questions, comments, and requests to Council through a variety of mechanisms. Choose one of the following options:
Contact the Mayor & Council Directly
You can email the Mayor and Councillors directly, either individually or as a group. Scroll up to see each Councillor's individual contact information.
Appear at a Council Meeting as a Delegation
A person or group of people making a formal presentation at a Council meeting is called a delegation. If you wish to appear as a delegation, your request must be received by the City Manager and must:
- Be in writing and received at least 14 days before the Council meeting.
- Clearly identify the reason or purpose of the delegation request.
- Identify the individual or primary contact for the group or organization.
- Include the contact information of the individual or organization.
To submit a delegation request, email the required information to administration@wetaskiwin.ca, or mail/deliver it to:
City of Wetaskiwin
PO Box 6210
Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 2E9.
Delegation Guidelines
- Commercial Presentations: Presentations intended to promote commercial products or services will not be accepted.
- Repeat Delegations: Delegations from the same party or regarding the same matter within the past six months may be declined unless new and compelling information is provided.
- Presentation Time: Each presentation is limited to 10 minutes unless the Chair allows an extension. Time spent answering Council questions is not included in this limit.
City of Wetaskiwin Council meetings include an Open Microphone session at the start of every Regular Council meeting—providing the community with another avenue to speak to Council on topics that are not already on the Council meeting agenda. Those wishing to speak during the Open Microphone session are allotted five minutes and must register in advance by providing their name, address, and discussion topic on the sign-up sheet located outside Council Chambers.
Submit comments at a Public Hearing
Public hearings are held to get input on specific bylaws being considered by Council. Public hearings are advertised on the City's website for a minimum of two weeks before the public hearing date. Written submissions must be submitted by the date indicated on the public hearing notice, while verbal submissions can be made until the public hearing is adjourned without prior notification required.
For more information about public hearings, visit our Public Hearings page.
If you would like to have written correspondence distributed to Council or presented at a public Council meeting, please send it directly to the City Manager. As per Council's Procedural Bylaw, the communication must:
- Be legible and coherent.
- Identify the writer and the writer's contact information.
- Be on paper or in an electronic format.
- Not be libelous, impertinent, or improper.
If a communication does not meet these standards, the City Manager may file it without action. Otherwise, the City Manager forwards communications to Council with an opinion on whether they fall under Council’s governance authority. If Council agrees, they may either direct Administration to gather information for a future agenda or respond with Council’s majority position. If a Councillor disagrees with the City Manager’s process, they can introduce a notice of motion to include the item on an agenda. If Council determines the matter is outside its authority, administration will respond to the sender and explain the process and any actions taken.
Contact Us
City of Wetaskiwin
4705 50 Avenue
Box 6210
Wetaskiwin
Alberta, Canada T9A 2E9
Phone: 780.361.4400