Press release
The Flagstaff Intermunicipal Partnership (FIP) has been working together since 2003 to find local solutions for regional issues.
Successful initiatives include: Regional Emergency Services Communications system, regional SCADA system for water treatment plants, Regional Assessment Review Board, Regional Subdivision and Development Appeal Board.
In addition, the communities have existing established partnerships in: Waste Management, Housing, FCSS, and RCMP advisory.
FIP has now expanded the options to be examined in an effort to ensure the future sustainability of our region.
A new process known as the Regional Governance Project has been developed to ensure options for deeper collaboration are clearly superior to existing arrangements as well as ensure the options chosen are most appropriate given the future needs of today’s citizens in the communities.
The Committee will be requesting the assistance of the public and stakeholders, local agencies, boards, commissions, municipal employees and elected officials, as well as seek the counsel and advice of Municipal
Affairs and an impartial consultant to provide information and collect feedback to ensure that the most effective solutions are found for all of our citizens.
Why are we doing this now? In the past year we have seen two communities in our region move to Hamlet status.
The Minister of Municipal Affairs is following what other provinces have done, and has made statements such as “municipalities will form partnerships”, “new ways to integrate services” and “looking for ways to support municipalities to partner … funding is a great way”.
To date, the committee has approved a terms of reference for the project and authorized staff to retain a consultant to ensure that the project momentum is maintained.
The Flagstaff Intermunicipal Partnership is a committee made up of representatives from all municipalities within the Flagstaff Region: Towns of Daysland, Hardisty, Killam and Sedgewick, the Villages of Alliance, Forestburg, Heisler and Lougheed and Flagstaff County.
For more information contact: Bob Coutts, Chair, Flagstaff lntermunicipal Partnership couttshardware@ persona.ca 780-679-4721
