By Town of Ponoka

pen to paper

Town of Ponoka and Ponoka County sign new agreements

Mar 1, 2020 | 1:02 PM

Shared Recreation Services Funding Agreement

Ponoka Town Council and Ponoka County Council have signed a new five-year Shared Recreation Services Funding Agreement which outlines an equitable shared funding model for recreation services that are utilized by Ponoka citizens in both the Town and County.

A detailed review of the operating costs associated with the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex (Arena),the Ponoka Aquaplex, the Ponoka Splash Park and sports fields in town resulted in an agreed upon funding formula based on per capita operating costs for the facilities. Town recreation facilities serve approximately 13,000 residents in the Town of Ponoka and the eastern portion of Ponoka County.

Under the agreed upon phased-in funding formula, Ponoka County will increase its current annual recreation funding contribution to $75 per capita (from the current $55 per capita) toward the shared funding of recreation services provided in the Town of Ponoka in 2020. That amount will increase to $85 per capita in 2021 and to $95 per capita in 2022 with a population adjustment based on the 2021 Statistics Canada Census. In 2023, that $95 amount will be adjusted to reflect any increase in the Edmonton Consumer Price Index (CPI) as calculated by Statistics Canada for the most recent calendar year.

The Town will put 10 per cent of the County’s annual funding contributions into a capital reserve for the maintenance of recreation facilities. That amount will be matched by equal annual reserve contributions by the Town of Ponoka.

QUICKLY CHANGING INDUSTRY

Farm Credit Canada names new director for central Alberta

7h ago

jennifer johnson of lacombe-ponoka

UCP welcomes back Lacombe-Ponoka MLA who spoke disrespectfully of transgender youth

7h ago

case closed

Red Deer women get probation and community service after assault of Innisfail RCMP member

8h ago

The new Shared Recreation Services Funding Agreement can be renewed in five-year intervals.

Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework

Following a series of discussions and meetings with representatives of the twomunicipalities, Ponoka Town Council and Ponoka County Council have signed a new Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF).

ICFs are a new requirement under the Alberta Municipal Government Act for municipalities that share common boundaries. The purpose of developing an ICF is for neighbouring municipalities to explore mutually beneficial and integrated strategic planning, delivery and funding of shared services that are offered to residents of both municipalities. An ICF identifies the shared services that will be provided on an intermunicipal basis, and outlines how those services will be delivered and funded by each municipality.

The new ICF between the Town of Ponoka and Ponoka County outlines the following shared services and funding agreements that are provided for the benefit Town and County residents:

– Recreation Services – The Town and County approved a new Shared Recreation Services Funding Agreement this week that provides increased funding over the next five years for recreation facilities in Ponoka that are utilized by citizens in both municipalities.

– Library Services – The Town and County contribute to the Parkland Regional Library system annual budget, and both municipalities contribute to the Ponoka Jubilee Library budget. The Town provides the building and associated operating costs for the Ponoka Jubilee Library, which is governed by a board appointed by Town Council.

– Fire Services – Ponoka County provides fire protection services to the Town of Ponoka on a fee-for-service basis under a Fire Services Agreement that was signed in March 2018.

– Emergency Services – A regional emergency management partnership agreement was signed between the Town and County, as well as with the Town of Rimbey and the Summer Village of Parkland Beach in 2014, under which the municipalities agree to work together to respond to emergencies in the region. Ponoka County and the Towns of Ponoka and Rimbey also have a joint All Hazards Mutual Aid Agreement under which the municipalities agree to provide each other with emergency services support, equipment and facilities as needed in the event of emergencies such as fires, train derailments, floods and other weather-related emergencies.

– Seniors Housing – Ponoka County and the Towns of Ponoka and Rimbey are members of the Rimoka Housing Foundation which provides housing for seniors within the region and is funded by the member municipalities.

– Ponoka Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) – The Town and County both provide funding to Ponoka FCSS under an agreement with the Province of Alberta. FCSS operates under the Alberta Family and Community Support Services Act.

– Fort Ostell Museum – The Town and County both provide operating grants to the museum. The Town of Ponoka owns and maintains the museum building.

– Cemetery – The Town of Ponoka operates the Forest Home Cemetery with the County providing annual funding support for operational costs.

The ICF agreement between the Town and County includes a process for initiating future conversations between the two municipalities about new projects or services that may require cost-sharing agreements.

Under the ICF, an Intermunicipal Committee with representatives from both municipal Councils has been created. The Committee will meet at least once every five years to review the terms and conditions of the ICF. The Committee will also meet on an as-required basis to address matters of strategic direction and cooperation affecting residents of both municipalities. The Alberta MGA requires all municipalities to have an ICF in place by April 1, 2020.