By Shaun Penner

Shared Services

County, Sexsmith set to ratify Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework

Nov 3, 2020 | 2:17 PM

The County of Grande Prairie and the Town of Sexsmith have put the finishing touches on their Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF). It is set to be ratified at County Council’s next meeting on November 9.

Under the province’s Municipal Government Act, neighbouring municipalities are required to create an ICF. The intention of these agreements is to create a document that details what and how services are funded and delivered with municipalities that share a border.

In a joint release, the two municipalities say Town of Sexsmith Council formally ratified the agreement at their meeting on Monday, with County Council set to sign on the dotted line next week.

Sexsmith Mayor Kate Potter says in the joint release that she is pleased to have the ICF finalized between the two.

“Although the communities have worked together in many ways and for many years, this is the first time all the pieces have been brought together, and it sets the stage for ongoing collaboration that is beneficial to residents of both municipalities in the future.”

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With this agreement set to be finalized, the County will now have completed six of the necessary seven ICFs with neighbouring municipalities, except for one.

The City and County of Grande Prairie will be heading to arbitration to finalize the agreement between the two.

READ MORE: City, County of Grande Prairie heading to arbitration to finalize collaboration framework

“Both Councils came together with a mindset to work collaboratively to create an agreement that’s best for citizens in both communities,” said County Reeve Leanne Beaupre, of the agreement with the Town of Sexsmith.

“This agreement and our commitment to working as partners to deliver programs and services to our communities lays the foundation for successful negotiations and positive relations into the future.”

Two new agreements come from the signing of the ICF. A Community Services agreement will see the County provide annual community services funding to Sexsmith, which is to be directed to Town-owned or operated rec services that are open to County residents.

In 2021, $107,884 will be sent from the County to maintain greenspace and public parks in Sexsmith, as well as to operate the Sexsmith Arena, among others.

A new Capital replacement agreement will also see the two municipalities share “proportionate construction costs” to replace existing community facilities with new community facilities for a similar purpose, or build new community facilities for different purposes that benefit residents in both Sexsmith and County residents.

All other agreements between the County and the Town that are already in place were also renewed including the Peace Officers Services agreement, the Bylaw Enforcement Officers agreement to Supply Animal Control, Assessment and GIS Services agreement and the Fire Service agreement.