(Lacombe County / Clearwater County)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Working Together

Lacombe County, Clearwater County sign Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework

Jan 17, 2020 | 1:00 PM

Lacombe County Council and Clearwater County Council have announced the signing of an Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF).

Following discussions, officials say the municipalities worked out details for the ICF document, which specifies what and how services are funded and delivered. It also highlights the ways that the two counties can work together efficiently.

“With fewer joint services and corresponding funding agreements between our counties, the discussions and ensuing agreement were far less complex than those we have experienced with the urban municipalities in the County,” said Reeve Paula Law, in a release. “That said, this ICF is a sign of the positive – and important relationship – which we share with Clearwater County, and ensures continued collaboration and communication between our municipalities in the future.”

The Lacombe County / Clearwater County ICF includes key points such as each County continuing to provide all services to its respective residents independently of the other County.

In the event that either County initiates a new project and/or service that may require a cost-sharing agreement, appropriate notification to the other County is required. The criteria for assessing the desirability for funding the project and/or service, and a process for determining participation in it, is also identified.

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Finally, an Intermunicipal Committee comprised of two elected officials and two staff members from each municipality will be the forum for reviewing the ICF on a go-forward basis.

“Clearwater County council strives to enhance relationships with adjacent municipalities to foster partnerships and proactively discuss issues of mutual concern,” added Reeve Timothy Hoven. “We share a great relationship with Lacombe County and will continue to foster collaboration and relationship building as these play a key role in a sustainable community.”

Officials note municipalities that share a common boundary must create an Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF), which is a new legislated requirement that was introduced in the Modernized Municipal Government Act in 2016. Municipalities in Alberta have until March 31, 2020 to finalize all required ICFs for their municipality.

The frameworks are intended to provide for integrated and strategic planning, delivery and funding of intermunicipal services, allocate scarce resources efficiently in delivering local services, and ensure municipalities contribute funding to services that benefit their residents.

According to officials, each framework must identify which service they provide, which service is shared between municipalities, and which are provided by third parties.

The ICF also details how services like transportation, water and wastewater, solid waste, emergency services, recreation, and any other services that benefit residents in more than one of the municipalities that are parties to the framework, are funded and delivered.