Cardston County

What Cardston County does

Cardston County is a municipal corporation in southern Alberta, Canada, operating under Alberta's Municipal Government Act. Founded as the M.D. of Cardston No. 6 (with the Agricultural Services Board established in 1948), it provides administrative, infrastructure, and community services to residents, businesses, agricultural producers, and visitors across a 3,000+ square kilometer jurisdiction anchored by the Town of Cardston and surrounding communities including Magrath, Glenwood, Hill Spring, Spring Coulee, Welling, and Del Bonita. Core services span road construction and maintenance (organized into 7 grader divisions), emergency services (4 volunteer fire departments plus RCMP and STARS air ambulance coordination), property assessment and taxation, planning and development, solid waste management (8+ transfer stations and the regional landfill), agricultural support through the Agricultural Services Board, bulk water sales, and operation of the Cardston Airport (CEA6).

The County's technology stack includes a public-facing GIS system co-developed with the Oldman River Regional Services Commission (ORRSC) for property search and land use zoning, the Message EXPRESS automated mass notification system (pre-populated with 411 data), native iPhone and Android mobile applications built on All-Net's iTown platform, Laserfiche-based digital forms and permit processing, and OptionPay for online municipal bill payments. Physical infrastructure is substantial and includes 3 dual-connector Level 2 EV charging stations, a recently installed ground-mounted solar PV system at the airport, a 3,500-foot asphalt runway, bulk water fill stations, and 8+ waste transfer stations distributed across the territory.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of statutory and transaction-based streams. Property taxation is the primary recurring revenue source (with a $150 minimum per parcel), supplemented by business licensing ($50 for residents, $130 for regional), waste disposal tipping fees ($122/tonne at the Chief Mountain Regional Solid Waste Authority landfill), bulk water sales via prepaid fobs ($20 each) or card payments, gravel sales ($18/cubic yard resident / $22 non-resident), custom weed spraying ($80-$105/hour), equipment rentals, and airport facility and runway rentals. Governance rests with an elected Council of 7 division representatives led by Reeve Randy Bullock, with administrative operations managed by CAO Murray Millward and audited annually by KPMG under Canadian Public Sector Accounting Standards.

Name

Cardston County

Legal name

Cardston County

Website

https://cardstoncounty.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cardston County is a municipal government in southern Alberta, Canada, providing administrative, infrastructure, agricultural, emergency, and community services to residents, businesses, and visitors across a 3,000+ square kilometer jurisdiction, funded primarily through property taxation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Government Services

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIACAF

Public Works & Municipal Infrastructure (Streets, Stormwater, Facilities)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Local/Municipal Government Administration

Keywords

• Municipal government services
• Property tax administration
• Rural infrastructure maintenance
• Agricultural services support
• Emergency notification systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Cardston

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Property Taxation: Cardston County's primary revenue source. Property taxes fund essential services including road construction and maintenance, recreational facilities, agricultural services, emergency services, and water utilities. Tax rates are set annually through an approved Mill Rate Bylaw.
2. Business Licenses: All businesses operating within Cardston County must obtain a business license. County residents pay $50.00 for a business license, with $130.00 fee for regional business licenses. Mutual agreements exist with Town of Cardston and Town of Magrath to honor each other's licenses.
3. Waste Disposal Fees: Regional landfill operated by Chief Mountain Regional Solid Waste Authority charges $122 per tonne for waste disposal. Waste transfer stations operate across multiple locations with varying hours.
4. Bulk Water Sales: Magrath Bulk Water Fill Station provides bulk water sales through prepaid fobs ($20 each) or credit/debit card payments.
5. Equipment Rentals: Agricultural Services Board offers equipment rentals including weed sprayers, pest control tools, and soil conservation equipment to local producers at competitive rates.
6. Custom Weed Spraying Services: Cost-recovery based weed spraying program where landowners pay for herbicide, employee travel, and staff time. Startup fee of $50, minimum charge of $100, with hourly rates ranging from $80-105 depending on operator configuration.
7. Airport Rentals: Cardston Airport (CEA6) generates revenue through facility rentals (hangar space, tie-downs, land leases), runway rentals for pilot training and aviation exercises, and special event rentals for community events.
8. Gravel Sales: Annual Gravel Weeks program allows residents to purchase gravel at $18.00 per cubic yard (residents) or $22.00 per cubic yard (non-residents).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cardston County is a municipal government that provides statutory local governance and a wide range of public services to residents, businesses, agricultural producers, and visitors. Its core offerings include property taxation and assessment, road construction and maintenance, emergency services coordination, agricultural support programs (weed control, equipment rentals, custom spraying, pest management), solid waste collection and disposal, planning and development permitting, business licensing, bulk water sales, and operation of the Cardston County Airport.

Product overview

Cardston County operates as a municipal government offering a comprehensive suite of digital and physical services to residents. The core digital presence consists of the cardstoncounty.com website and native iPhone/Android mobile apps developed by All-Net Municipal Solutions, which automatically sync content including local weather, notices, community events, and emergency alerts. Key online tools include the ORRSC-powered public GIS system for property search and zoning information, the Message EXPRESS emergency notification system, and OptionPay for online property tax and bill payments. Physical infrastructure services span public works (road maintenance, snow removal, dust control), agricultural services (weed control, equipment rentals, pest surveys), bulk water fill stations, solid waste transfer stations, and the Cardston County Airport featuring a recently completed solar PV installation. The County processes permits and forms digitally through Laserfiche, with building inspections handled by The Inspections Group Inc.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Property Tax Administration and Assessment Annual property assessment, tax billing, mill rate bylaw administration, tax payment collection (online via OptionPay and in-person), and a $150 minimum property tax per parcel. Includes a public Tax Calculator tool and appeal process managed by Benchmark Assessment Consultants. Services property owners across the County.
• Public GIS Property Search System Interactive web-based GIS platform enabling residents, businesses, and realtors to search properties, view land use zoning, access parcel details, and explore infrastructure within Cardston County. Operated in collaboration with Oldman River Regional Services Commission (ORRSC).
• Message EXPRESS Emergency Alert System Automated emergency notification service allowing Cardston County to alert residents about emergencies, utility service interruptions, and road closures via text, email, or automated calls. Pre-populated with 411 data and powered by Bixo Contact for registration. Free for residents to subscribe.
• Cardston County Mobile Apps (iPhone and Android) Free native mobile applications for iOS and Android providing residents and visitors with local weather, notices, community events, contact information, and emergency alerts. Developed by All-Net Municipal Solutions using iTown service that automatically syncs content from the County website.
• Magrath Bulk Water Fill Station Truck fill station providing bulk water to residents, businesses, and contractors via prepaid FOB ($20) or credit/debit card and mobile wallet payments. Upgraded in 2025 to replace the outdated Computrol system with modern payment options.
• Solid Waste Disposal and Transfer Stations Regional waste disposal services through the Chief Mountain Regional Solid Waste Authority landfill ($122 per tonne) and eight transfer station locations across Cardston County. Serves residential and contractor waste generators with cash, cheque, or debit/credit card payments.
• Cardston County Airport (CEA6) Public registered aerodrome (CEA6) featuring a 3,500 x 75-foot asphalt runway at 3,887 ft elevation, located 7 km southeast of Town of Cardston. Generates revenue through hangar space rentals, tie-downs, land leases, pilot training and aviation exercise runway rentals, and special event rentals. Fuel services provided by Cardston Flying Club.
• Airport Solar Photovoltaic Installation Ground-mounted solar photovoltaic system at Cardston County Airport generating clean, renewable electricity to offset airport facility operations. Funded through the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) Municipal Electricity Generation Program, reducing long-term energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Business Licensing Mandatory business license for all businesses operating within Cardston County ($50 for County residents, $130 for regional licenses). Mutual recognition agreements with Town of Cardston and Town of Magrath honor licenses across jurisdictions. Applications processed via Laserfiche online portal.
• Planning and Development Services Land development services including development permits, subdivision applications, Municipal Planning Commission review, and Intermunicipal Development Plans (IDPs). Safety code inspections handled in partnership with The Inspections Group Inc. Subdivision processing delegated to ORRSC.
• Public Works and Road Maintenance Infrastructure maintenance including road grading, snow removal, dust control, gravel programs, road construction, and culvert installations across 7 grader divisions aligned with Councillor Divisions, each with a dedicated grader operator plus one floater operator. Includes the annual Gravel Weeks program ($18/cubic yard resident, $22/cubic yard non-resident).
• Agricultural Services Board Programs Agricultural support services including weed control programs, pest management, equipment rentals, custom weed spraying ($80-105/hour), insect surveys, soil conservation, shelterbelt/tree order programs, and roadside weed control. One of 69 ASBs across Alberta collectively supporting nearly 60,000 farms and ranches.
• Emergency Services Coordination Emergency services coordination including four volunteer fire departments (Del Bonita, Mid River, Magrath & District, Cardston County Emergency Services Authority), STARS Air Ambulance partnership for emergency medical transport, RCMP coordination, and Message EXPRESS emergency alerts.
• EV Charging Services Three dual-connector Level 2 EV charging stations installed at the Cardston Shop and Main Office, serving residents, visitors, and tourists traveling through the County near Highways 2 and 5.
• Gravel Weeks Sales Program Annual Gravel Weeks program allowing residents to purchase gravel at $18.00 per cubic yard (residents) or $22.00 per cubic yard (non-residents). Requires prior PO number from Cardston County and is available only during designated periods in May and August.

Quantifiable outcome

• 45,000 acres of irrigated farmland supported with agricultural services
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Town of CardstoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) adopted in 2021. Also party to mutual business license agreement and emergency services partnership.
• Town of MagrathcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) adopted in 2021. Also partner in Magrath & District Emergency Services and mutual business license agreement.
• Village of GlenwoodcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) adopted in 2021. Also partner in emergency services through Cardston County Emergency Services Authority.
• Village of Hill SpringcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) adopted in 2021. Also partner in Mid River Volunteer Fire Department and Cardston County Emergency Services Authority.
• Lethbridge CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) adopted in 2019 for coordination on land use and development matters in shared boundary areas.
• M.D. of Pincher CreekcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) adopted in 2019 for coordination on land use and development matters.
• County of WarnercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) adopted in 2015 to facilitate coordination and consultation on land use and development in shared boundary areas.
• M.D. of Willow CreekcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) adopted in 2015 for coordination on land use and development matters in shared boundary areas.
• Oldman River Regional Services Commission (ORRSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerORRSC serves as the subdivision agent for Cardston County and 37 other municipalities in southern Alberta. They provide subdivision application review, processing, recommendations, and endorsement of final approvals. ORRSC also collaborates on the public GIS system and provides planning services.
• Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC)minorOthersMCCAC is a partnership between Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities of Alberta, and the Government of Alberta. They funded the solar photovoltaic installation at Cardston County Airport through the Municipal Electricity Generation Program.
• The Inspections Group Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccredited inspection agency partnered with Cardston County for permit processing and safety code inspections including structural safety, electrical systems, fire and gas codes, and plumbing/septic systems.
• Cardston Flying ClubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides aviation fuel services at Cardston Airport (CEA6). Contact Lennard Nichols at 403-308-0524. Fuel available upon request.
• Westwind School DivisionminorOthersProvides public education from kindergarten to high school for Cardston County residents, including schools in all local communities and institutions serving Hutterite Colonies.
• Kainai Board of EducationminorOthersOperates schools under the Kainai Nation serving the Blackfoot Reserve adjacent to Cardston County.
• Alberta Agriculture and Agri-Food CanadaminorOthersFederal agricultural resources and programs provided to local producers through Cardston County Agricultural Services Board, including shelterbelt planning, research, and innovation programs.
• Blood Tribe (Kainai Nation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous community bordering Cardston County with deep cultural presence. Partner in emergency management coordination and community development initiatives.
• STARS Emergency Link CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTARS provides emergency medical transport coordination and site registration services. Cardston County contributes annually to STARS Air Ambulance service, essential for emergency response in remote and rural areas.
• KPMG InternationalminorOthersAppointed auditing firm that prepares Cardston County's consolidated financial statements annually in accordance with Canadian Public Sector Accounting Standards.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vulcan County: Rural Alberta county with comparable population, geographic scale, and agricultural-services focus. Similar small-staff municipal delivery model.
• Starland County: Small rural Alberta county with comparable headcount, geographic area, and service-mix including agricultural services board and public works operations.
• County of Newell: Eastern Alberta rural county with similar agricultural economic base and municipal service scope. Comparable in scale and service-mix.
• County of Warner: Neighboring southern Alberta rural county sharing an IDP since 2015. Directly comparable in irrigation-driven agricultural economy, public works scope, and rural service delivery model.
• Lethbridge County: Neighboring rural Alberta municipality sharing an Intermunicipal Development Plan with Cardston County since 2019. Comparable in scale, agricultural-economy dependence, and rural municipal service mandate.
• M.D. of Willow Creek: IDP partner since 2015 and similarly structured rural Alberta municipal district. Comparable in scale, services, and reliance on agricultural tax base.
• M.D. of Pincher Creek: Adjacent rural Alberta municipal district sharing an IDP since 2019. Highly comparable in geographic profile, agricultural services, and small-staff municipal operations.
• Municipal District of Taber: Southern Alberta irrigation-driven municipal district. Comparable in agricultural service programs, water/bulk-fill operations, and rural municipal governance structure.
• Cypress County: Large rural Alberta municipal district in southeastern Alberta. Closely comparable in geographic size, agricultural-services mandate, and rural infrastructure profile.

Broad incumbents

• Special Areas Board: Provincial administrative body providing municipal-type services across rural eastern Alberta. Comparable in rural service mandate, agricultural focus, and small-staff operations, though governance structure is broader than a typical county.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CardstonCounty
• Facebookfacebook.com/CardstonCounty
• Xx.com/cardstoncounty

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cardston County