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Lacombe County, Village of Alix sign Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework

Municipalities that share a common boundary must create an Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework
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(File photo by BLACK PRESS)

Lacombe County Council and Alix Village Council are pleased to announce the signing of an Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF). Following months of meetings and discussions, 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 Lacombe County and the Village of Alix can work together efficiently.

“Lacombe County has long been a believer in the importance of having excellent working relationships with our urban partners,” said Reeve Paula Law. “The signing of these ICF agreements paves a path forward for continued collaboration and communication between Lacombe County and the Village of Alix.”

The Lacombe County / Village of Alix ICF includes the following key points:

  • An update and consolidation of the Fire Services Agreement between the village and county;
  • An endorsement of the existing Facilities Operational Cost Sharing Agreement;
  • A joint approach to capital planning for capital assets used by village and county residents;
  • An opportunity for each municipality to have input into policy and service level development for operating cost-sharing;
  • Service Inventories outlining the types of service, funding mechanisms, and the party(ies) responsible for delivering each service, including Solid Waste Collection and Disposal, Fire Response Services, Emergency Management, Recreation Services, Library Services and Seniors Housing.

“We feel the development of an Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework has strengthened communication between Lacombe County and the Village of Alix,” said Village of Alix mayor Rob Fehr. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with our neighbours on all matters of mutual interest.”

Background Information: 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.

Frameworks are intended to:

  • Provide for integrated and strategic planning, delivery and funding of intermunicipalservices
  • 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

-Submitted by Lacombe County