By Troy Gillard

Clearwater County seeking new deal

Town of Rocky seeks mediator to resolve regional fire services dispute

Jul 4, 2019 | 6:40 PM

The Town of Rocky Mountain House has requested mediation with Clearwater County and the Village of Caroline to establish new agreements for regional fire rescue services, solid waste services and revenue sharing.

Town officials say the request is in accordance with the problem-resolution guidelines in the Stronger Together Agreement between the three municipalities, which outlines how disagreements between municipalities shall be addressed.

“The Town of Rocky Mountain House is positive these issues will be resolved with the assistance of a mediator,” says a media release. “The Town of Rocky Mountain House looks forward to working with our neighbouring municipalities for the betterment of the entire region.”

Clearwater County recently informed the Town of Rocky Mountain House and Village of Caroline they would be terminating the existing Intermunicipal Regional Fire Rescue Services Agreement effective December 31, 2019. The County says a restructuring of the agreement is needed since they own the bulk of equipment assets that provide fire services and are the largest contributor and stakeholder in the partnership.

In response, the Town of Rocky Mountain House postponed future scheduled Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework meetings.

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“The Town cannot see how we can meaningfully create a collaboration framework with the issues of the fire service and waste service agreements still outstanding,” Mayor Tammy Burke said in a letter to the County. “The Town is positive we can resolve these issues with the assistance of a mediator and conclude our ICF process within the legislative timeline.”