The City of Lacombe and Lacombe County are pleased to announce the signing of an Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) Master Agreement to plan and deliver shared programs and services effectively, efficiently and economically to the residents of both communities.
“The City of Lacombe and Lacombe County share a common border and common interests, and we recognize that we both have a significant role to play in the continued success of our shared region,” said City of Lacombe Mayor Grant Creasey. “The best interests of residents and ratepayers has been our focus throughout this mutually beneficial process, and the signing of the ICF Master Agreement formalizes the ongoing collaboration and communication between our two municipalities.”
“The long-standing relationship we have with the City of Lacombe has consistently been a positive one,” said Lacombe County Reeve Paula Law. “By completing this Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework, we took the best-practices we have used over the years to help develop this formal agreement between Lacombe County and the City of Lacombe.”
“Navigating the ICF process with Lacombe County was a pleasure, as is often the case with our long- standing regional partner,” said City of Lacombe Chief Administrative Officer Matthew Goudy. “Residents of both communities will continue to benefit from a collaborative approach to service delivery, and shared expenses.”
“Over the years, the County and City have collaborated on numerous initiatives, such as the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex renovations, the joint economic area on our borders, and the support we have provided to local community groups and organizations,” said Lacombe County Manager Tim Timmons. “The foundation we have built, based on mutual respect and dedication to our ratepayers, was used to create this framework, and it will ensure our positive relationship will continue well into the future. I would like to thank the City of Lacombe for the professionalism and cooperation they displayed in negotiating this mutually beneficial agreement.”
The ICF Master Agreement, and the sub-agreements that flow from it, demonstrate the commitment of the City of Lacombe and Lacombe County to work collaboratively to jointly provide facilities and deliver services and programs for the benefit of both municipalities, and to manage growth and plan for the future.
The ICF Master Agreement contains a number of sub-agreements, some of which still require additional work before being re-considered by the respective Councils. This work is planned over the next two years.
Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks (ICFs)
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 have until March 31, 2020, to finalize all required ICFs for their municipality.
ICF Frameworks are intended to:
- Provide for integrated and strategic planning, delivery and funding of intermunicipal services
- Allocate scarce resources efficiently in delivering local services
- Ensure municipalities contribute funding to services that benefit their residents
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 the services listed below are funded/delivered:
- 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