The councils of Red Deer and Red Deer County, which met recently. (City of Red Deer)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

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City and County review and build upon Intermunicipal Development Plan

Jun 9, 2023 | 10:20 AM

The Mayor of Red Deer say he’s thankful for the City to have established such a collaborative mindset with Red Deer County.

Ken Johnston’s remarks come as members of each municipality’s council recently met to review their Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) and discuss a vision for growth in central Alberta.

Johnston, along with County Mayor Jim Wood, will further this work later this month, going together to Paris, France for a joint economic development opportunity. The City and County plan to say more about that trip next week.

“We know we can accomplish so much more together and want to send a strong message that the region is open for business,” said Johnston. “We are working together to ensure regional citizen issues are jointly considered by each municipality and infrastructure and servicing efficiencies are maximized to the mutual benefit of the citizens.”

Wood says the two municipalities have momentum right now.

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“Our hope is that this agreement will spark mutually beneficial partnership opportunities, while respecting each municipality’s independence, individual culture, character and development preferences,” he said. “Together we will provide a good quality of life to our regional citizens.”

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The recent meeting was one of the Regional Collaboration Committee (RCC), which is comprised of the mayors and two councillors from both the City and County.

The committee’s purpose is to act as a catalyst for growing partnership opportunity in the region, building off the work of the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF). The RCC is a forum to discuss issues and opportunities that have impact to both local municipalities.

One item near the top of the list for the RCC is the review and adoption of a new IDP. The IDP was adopted in 2007, and both councils agree it is time for a fulsome review.

Next steps include putting forward a draft IDP this fall, followed by public consultation, council review, and adoption by years’ end.

Intermunicipal Development Plans are approved by council in both municipalities, a joint release explains.

Planners refer to these documents to make recommendations to council for managing or changing land use, and to address growth issues in a way that respects the interests of the County and the municipalities they share a border with, the joint release explains. The IDP meeting also serves as an opportunity to discuss the RCC’s work and other matters of mutual interest.