At Tuesday's city council meeting, council voted to endorse the Airdrie Rocky View County Master Shared Services Agreement (MSSA).

The collaboration between the City of Airdrie and Rocky View County (RVC) has a long history which includes their joint involvement in the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board (CMRB).

While the CMRB Growth and Servicing Plans address a specific set of services for potential inter-municipal delivery, they lack a framework for Airdrie and RVC to engage in collaboration on services beyond the regulated list that would benefit residents and businesses in both municipalities. The MSSA would reassure the mutual commitment of the municipalities to a collaborative inter-municipal relationship and establish a governance structure for both existing and forthcoming shared service agreements.

Both councils directed administrations to start working on an MSSA in July 2021 by starting with approving a project Terms of Reference and Project Management Plan. The Intermunicipal Committee (IMC) facilitated elected officials in providing oversight and functioning as a negotiating committee at the elected level.

The IMC granted preliminary approval to the MSSA on December 1, 2023, pending approval from the respective Councils. It also was reviewed by legal counsel last month.

Here are some things the MSSA will provide clarity on:

  • Emergency Management (including Fire)
  • Recreation
  • Transportation
  • Solid Waste

The MSSA will provide a clear understanding of shared services and their delivery which will lead to fair, cost-effective, and efficient provision of essential services that enhance the well-being of residents and businesses in both Airdrie and RVC. The MSSA will also govern all current inter-municipal servicing agreements.

A few services that have been identified as 'future agreements' within the MSSA are transit for Airdrie, road maintenance and cemetery services for RVC.

Airdrie Councillor Ron Chapman stated he hopes with both RVC and Airdrie growing and a very fast rate, this agreement won't hurt the recreation facilities. Deputy Mayor Tina Petrow had the same concern with Airdrie's already overcrowded schools.

"We just have to wait and see how things go," stated Chapman

Rocky View County Council is scheduled to consider the MSSA at their February 27 meeting. 

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