Following months of meetings and negotiations, the Town of Blackfalds and Lacombe County are pleased to announce the recent signing of an Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) Master Agreement. This ICF will help the municipalities to plan and deliver shared programs and services effectively, efficiently and economically to the residents of both communities.
“Although the negotiation process was long, our respect for each other provided us with a better understanding of each other’s unique challenges and perspectives,” said Lacombe County Reeve Paula Law. “There is no question that this ICF agreement will serve both of our communities well.”
“The Town of Blackfalds is excited about the opportunity to incorporate the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework agreement into the fabric of our relationship with Lacombe County. The process was unique in that it gave both parties the license to explore what they felt the core principles of intermunicipal relations are. During the meetings both the County and Town shared respectful and honest discussion about how our ongoing interaction can grow in positive ways that will ultimately benefit the Central Alberta Region as well as our respective communities,” stated Mayor Richard Poole.
The ICF Master Agreement, and the sub-agreements that flow from it, demonstrate the commitment of the Town of Blackfalds 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 Town of Blackfalds & Lacombe County ICF includes the following key points:
- That access will be provided to municipal facilities, programs and services to each other’s residents in a manner that does not differentiate among them.
- A joint approach will be taken to capital planning for capital assets that deliver mutual benefit to both municipalities.
- A shared investment for the shared benefit has been agreed to regarding capital planning and cost-sharing.
- The municipalities will be provided with an opportunity for input into policy and service level development regarding operating cost-sharing.
- Service Inventories were created for both Blackfalds and Lacombe County to outline the types of shared services, funding mechanisms, and the party(ies) responsible for delivering them, including Water and Wastewater Services, Fire Response Services, Emergency Management, Recreation Services, Library Services and Cemetery Services.
Backgrounder: 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.
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
-Submitted by Lacombe County