Forestburg puts in bid for managing partner of Flagstaff Intermunicipal Partnership

Forestburg Council has put forward a proposal to be Managing Partner of the Flagstaff Inter-municipal Partnership (FIP).

Council voted to accept the position pending the approval of the budget by all member municipalities at a council meeting held Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013.

Forestburg CAO Debra Moffatt said, “The FIP coordinator stepped down and Killam council indicated they did not want to continue as managing partner in March of 2013.

“There was a request for proposals for June of 2013 to take on the task of managing partner but none were submitted at that time. There was a need to step forward.”

Moffatt created a draft budget proposal for Forestburg Council.

“Council recognizes the necessity for our communities to continue to work together. Grant money is highly sought after, and funds are becoming more limited.”

Moffat says the managing partner’s primary role is to set the budget, administer the grants, and hire a coordinator.

“Forestburg’s proposal is a one-year term and based on an equalized assessment, so it is conditional that all members come to consensus and ratify the 2014 budget.

“The budget has been set at $59,330 and is based on last year’s approved budget. It has not yet been ratified.”

Some of the councils only meet once a month so Moffat expects to have a clear indication in February.
FIP was formed in 2003 when BRAED and Alberta Municipal Affairs Regional Partnership Initiative provided the committee with a $2,000 start up grant.

All Flagstaff municipalities, including Flagstaff County, are FIP members.

FIP works collaboratively with the member communities for mutual benefits, to improve service delivery, while promoting regional thinking and prosperity through cost-sharing ventures for the Flagstaff region.
They present a collective voice to federal and provincial governments.

FIP has provided Flagstaff with several collaborative enterprises such as a complete upgrade to the County’s 911 dispatch communication’s system for fire and emergency services, in 2009, and in 2011 $1.4 Million in grant funding for the Flagstaff Regional Water Operators Consortium was accessed through FIP.

FIP played a key role in establishing the Flagstaff Regional Assessment Review Board, and supplied funding for rural development and youth initiative projects.

They have also sponsored other events like the Municipal Internship Program, a Flagstaff Trades and Education day, a BRSD trustee candidates forum in 2010, and sponsored speaker Peter Kenyon to address community building.

Jamie Geddes,
Staff Reporter