By Erika Chorostil

Moving forward with community interests in mind

Drayton Valley and Brazeau County take next steps to resolution in intermunicipal development planning

Apr 5, 2021 | 12:28 PM

The Town of Drayton Valley and Brazeau County have taken the next steps to resolution in regards to intermunicipal planning.

Following a mediation process on March 30, in which “great progress was made, and some issues settled,” the town and County have agreed to move forward with planning in a “collaborative and productive manner that will best serve the greater community.”

The two sides had previously been at odds with a number of issues during the early stages of coming up with a new Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) and Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF), which all Alberta municipalities are required to enter into as outlined by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

Major items discussed last week included the plan and referral areas as well as the recreation component of the IDP and the ICF.

The County and the town have agreed it may be necessary to engage an arbitrator with respect to any questions outstanding between the municipalities.

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An Intermunicipal Development Plan is a high-level policy plan created by neighbouring municipalities that is designed to foster cooperation and integrated development near the municipal boundaries so unnecessary costs and negative impacts for the municipalities are avoided.

An Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework highlights and formalizes existing collaborative work between adjacent municipalities and provides a forum to work together.

The primary goal of ICFs is ensuring neighbouring municipalities work together regarding service delivery to residents in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Both municipalities are moving forward with the best interests of the community in mind and look forward to exploring what services can be shared as well as determining how and where they should grow.

“The Town of Drayton Valley looks forward to a collaborative solution that will best serve our residents,” says Mayor Michael Doerksen. “The interest of our community is top of mind, and making use of an arbitrator will ensure we are moving forward in the most constructive way possible.”

“County Council looks forward to the next step in this process to arrive at a fair resolution in the interests of all residents,” says Reeve Bart Guyon. “The progress we’ve made together so far is a positive sign for the future.”