Joint Media Release - March 26, 2020
Completion of the Willow Creek Regional Intermunicipa Collaboration Framework Agreement Announced
The Council’s of the Municipal District of Willow Creek, Town of Nanton, Town of Stavely, Town of Fort Macleod and Town of Claresholm announce the successful completion of the Willow Creek Regional Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Agreement (ICF).
The Willow Creek Regional Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Agreement is unique within the Province of Alberta in that all of the municipalities (both urban and rural) located within the Municipal District of Willow Creek are signatories to the agreement despite the legislation which only requires municipalities with shared boundaries to enter into ICF Agreements.
ICF agreements are intended to provide for integrated and strategic planning and delivery of intermunicipal services, to serve as a means to allocate scarce resources efficiently in the provision of local services and that all municipalities contribute funding for services that benefit their residents.
All signatories to this Agreement will participate in regular ICF committee meetings where local and regiona initiatives and concerns will be discussed. This unique approach to regional collaboration ensures that all of the local governments are aware of, can consult on, may work to develop and can voluntarily choose to participate in a range of municipal services that exist currently or may be developed as a result of this distinctive agreement.
As a requirement of the legislation the Willow Creek Reginal Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Agreement outlines the many agreements for services that are currently in effect and outlines the requirements for additiona agreements that are to be developed for current intermunicipal services including fire and recreation services.
Collectively the municipalities are pleased with the outcome of the ICF negotiation process and welcome the opportunities that will arise for innovation as well as effective and efficient delivery of services through the development of joint service agreements.
Chief Elected Official Comments on the Willow Creek Regional Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Agreement:
The Council of the Municipal District of Willow Creek is pleased that the ICF Agreement has been signed by all of our regional partners. We recognize that this is not the end but rather the beginning of the development of future partnerships and agreements which will benefit the citizens of all communities in our region.
Maryanne Sandberg – Reeve – M.D. of Willow Creek
The ICF is a provincially mandated tool to facilitate cooperation between municipalities to ensure municipa services are provided to residents efficiently and cost effectively. For Nanton, this means working with our M.D. of Willow Creek neighbours (who we’ve always had a great, longstanding and informal relationship with) to make sure our collective shared services are now clearly defined and equitable for all parties. Nanton council and administration came into this with an open and solution-oriented mindset and we are grateful that our neighbours came with the same approach. All parties are equally passionate about protecting the interests of their residents, while striving for options to collaborate and find efficiencies within the region. I am grateful for this process which helped us understand the needs within our collective region and look forward to working through the remaining agreements together.
Mayor Jennifer Handley- Town of Nanton
The Town of Stavely is happy with the spirit in which the negotiations were completed and we look forward to the progress that our community and the region will enjoy as a result.
Mayor Gentry Hall – Town of Stavely
Working with all the other municipalities within the Municipal District of Willow Creek while formulating an ICF Agreement has been a very rewarding process for the Town of Claresholm Council. With the completion of this task, Council looks forward to continued collaboration in the future to enhance the lives of all residents within our region.
Mayor Doug MacPherson – Town of Claresholm
In 2017 the Alberta Provincial Government mandated the implementation of Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) agreements to formalize and enhance the working relationship between urban communities and rural municipalities. Since the mandate was given, Fort Macleod’s council and administration have embraced the need for such an agreement and have worked extensively to put together agreements that both reflect how we already have been working collaboratively and to identify areas where working relationships need to be approved. After over 2 years of work on this agreement, I am pleased to see the foundational agreement completed between the MD of Willow Creek and the communities of Claresholm, Nanton, Stavely and Fort Macleod. Our community looks forward to working on the additional details that will further enhance the structure of the ICF.
Mayor Brent Feyter – Town of Fort Macleod
Media Inquiries may be made to any of the following Municipalities:
Town of Fort Macleod
Mayor Brent Feyter
CAO – Sue Keenan
s.keenan@fortmacleod.com
brent.feyter@fortmacleod.com
403-553-4425
Town of Claresholm
Mayor Doug MacPherson
CAO – Marian Carlson
marian@claresholm.ca
403-625-3381
Town of Stavely
Mayor Gentry Hall
CAO – Candice Greig
cao@stavely.ca
403-549-3761
Municipal District of Willow Creek No. 26
Reeve Maryanne Sandberg
CAO – Derrick Krizsan
MD26@mdwillowcreek.com
403-625-3351
Town of Nanton
Mayor Jennifer Handley
CAO – Neil Smith
cao@nanton.ca
403-646-2029