Town of Stettler
The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) and the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) are joining forces to lobby the provincial government for changes to the Municipal Government Act (MGA).
Stettler Town council reviewed some of the initiatives proposed at the recent AUMA convention at the Oct. 7 council meeting.
Several proposals involve collaboration between municipal governments, something familiar to both Stettler Town and County who have worked together on a number of issues.
The previous Conservative government undertook a review of the MGA, with some changes implemented earlier this year.
The current NDP government is continuing the process of consulting with municipalities on changes they wish to see.
In general, municipal governments are petitioning for greater local autonomy, more predictable and stable provincial funding and greater control over things like taxation and planning.
Parkland budget gets okay
Council approved an additional 15 cents per capita requisition for Parkland Regional Library, which raised the total per capita amount to $7.88 from $7.73. The requisition totals $862.20 for Stettler’s membership in the regional library.
Parkland, which provides things like e-services and inter-library loans, requires approval of its budget from its 50 member communities each year.
Coun. Darcy Bachman expressed concern that, while most civic organizations are budget planning for three years, Parkland continues to plan year by year.
Bachman would like to see the regional library change that and council was unanimous in its agreement with Bachman.
While council voted to approve Parkland’s budget, they directed administration to write a letter requesting Parkland consider moving to a longer budget plan.
