Reverse MSI to Regional Collaboration Program Decision
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipal Association request the Government of Alberta to reverse its decision to realign the Municipal Sustainability Initiative Funding to the Regional Collaboration Program.
WHEREAS the Municipal Sustainability Initiative was initiated in 2007 as the provincial response to a request, from Alberta municipal associations, for the province to fund municipalities, in an amount equal to the Provincial Education Requisitions collected from municipalities, for the municipal infrastructure deficit;
WHEREAS the current funding model for Alberta municipalities reflects the provincial government’s support for the Municipal Sustainability Initiative;
WHEREAS the proposed change of the Municipal Sustainability Initiative operating funding will decrease to $30 million in 2014, $15 million in 2015 and eliminated in 2016;
WHEREAS the provincial government proposes to reassign the Municipal Sustainability Initiative operating funding to the Regional Collaboration Program;
WHEREAS the Regional Collaboration Program will not be available for existing intermunicipal partnerships; and
WHEREAS there will be a detrimental impact on Alberta municipalities and community organizations with this realignment of funding.
The Municipal Sustainability Initiative program was begun to address the infrastructure deficit in Alberta Municipalities and that the program would provide stable funding to municipalities to address their needs. The Municipal Sustainability Initiative program was initiated in 2007 and indicated that it would grow to an amount equal to the provincial taxes being taken out of the municipalities. There are no provisions in the Regional Collaboration Program that allow for the operating expenses of current inter-municipal partnerships to be allowabl
The GOA made a deliberate decision to transition MSI operating funds to the Regional Collaboration Program. While this program does not support the ongoing operating costs of regional services, funding can be accessed to explore whether an existing regional municipal service could be delivered in an enhanced or more efficient manner. The RCP is being reviewed to ensure it supports municipal viability and transformational change and details will be available following Budget 2014.
AUMA rejects this response.