Proposed changes to provincial legislation could address the Town of Okotoks' long-standing concerns over the impact of development outside its border on Town services.
Proposed changes to provincial legislation could address the Town of Okotoks' long-standing concerns over the impact of development outside its border on Town services.
Amendments to Alberta's Municipal Government Act (MGA) announced this month will allow two or more municipalities to jointly charge developers levies to cover the cost of infrastructure and amenities such as roads, libraries and recreation centres required for new communities.
The issue is a bone of contention for the Town. It argues residents that would end up living in proposed developments in the MD of Foothills, outside Okotoks' boundary, put pressure on Town services, while paying taxes to the MD.
Okotoks Mayor Bill Robertson said the amendments are a step in the right direction.
“It's something we've been asking for, for a while now,” he said.
Municipal Affairs Minister Shaye Anderson said the changes are intended to improve collaboration between municipalities.
“We believe that all Albertans benefit when all municipalities are good neighbours, working together to provide services and strengthen the economy,” he said.
Presently municipalities can collect off-site levies from developers to cover the cost of infrastructure required by new developments within their borders. It is not able to charge levies on developers of communities outside their boundaries.
The proposed levies could be used for a variety of infrastructure and amenities that would benefit residents in new developments, such as roads, sewers, police stations, fire halls, libraries or recreation facilities.
“Municipalities would work together to set up an agreement with the developer for what the benefiting area would be and how it would benefit residents of both municipalities,” said Melinda Steenbergen, Anderson's press secretary.
She said municipalities must collaborate to create the levies and no single municipality can unilaterally implement one on another.
“It would have to be created jointly by the municipalities,” said Steenbergen. “You couldn't have one municipality charge a levy on another municipality's development without the municipality being involved.”
MD Mayor Larry Spilak said he doesn't expect it to result in many changes for the MD. The municipality has agreements in place with all its neighbours to ensure the cost of providing services is fairly distributed, he said.
“Every service that is there we contribute to,” Spilak said.
The Town and MD eventually signed an agreement in 2011 to share the cost of services in Okotoks. The MD contributes to the cost of Town services in several areas, including fire, recreation, the library and recycling.
Spilak said the proposed changes to the MGA could be effective for municipalities that haven't been able to work together on cost sharing agreements.
“I think this has been put into place for some of the regions that are having some difficulties getting along and supporting their neighbour's facilities when their residents are using them as well,” he said.
The proposed MGA amendments will also be a Canadian first. It will give First Nations and Metis settlements the ability to comment on development proposals in neighbouring communities.
Anderson said it's giving them the same opportunity to provide feedback as other municipalities have.
He said Metis and First Nations want better collaboration with neighbouring municipalities.
“These changes would set a Canadian precedent to build stronger relationships between municipalities, First Nations and Metis settlements,” said Anderson.
The amendments announced last week also include changes to increase collaboration between municipalities and school boards.
The Province is working to have the changes in place before municipal elections in the fall.
