Alberta mid-sized cities mayors prepared to partner with province on growth
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The City of Spruce Grove is seeking more infrastructure funding from the Government of Alberta.
During the Alberta Municipalities Convention in Calgary on Thursday, Sept. 22, the Mid-Sized Cities Mayors’ Caucus (MCMC) supported a resolution sponsored by the City of St. Albert and the City of Airdrie calling on the provincial government to expand the funding pot for the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) in 2024 and to grow the size of the funding stream at a 1:1 ratio linked to provincial revenue.
“The City of Spruce Grove strongly supports the resolution calling to increase the Local Government Fiscal Framework funding pot, and we’re prepared to work with the Government of Alberta to ensure municipalities outside of Edmonton and Calgary continue to receive the support we need to serve our residents,” said Mayor Jeff Acker.
Mid-sized municipalities are reliant on other orders of government for long-term, and stable infrastructure funding to support the completion of capital projects and improvements. Historically, the provincial government has provided this through the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI). In 2024, however, MSI will be converted to the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) and reduced in funding size by 25 per cent to $340 million.
The MCMC, representing 24 municipalities and 1 million Albertans, will be exploring the development of an economic impact assessment to verify the economic value mid-sized municipalities provide in Alberta.
“Alberta’s mid-sized cities are the economic engine of the province. We are positioned to work with the Government of Alberta to enable economic corridors and continued prosperity across the province,” said Mayor Jeff Genung of the Town of Cochrane and MCMC Chair.
While a decision from the provincial government is forthcoming regarding the allocation formula of the LGFF among all Alberta municipalities outside of Edmonton and Calgary, Mayor Genung said the MCMC believes the broader issue is the size of the funding pot.
To support current and future growth, Alberta’s MCMC will be exploring a new long-term partnership with the Government of Alberta to enable job creation, economic progress, and the execution of social and environmental outcomes.
“Mid-sized cities, like Spruce Grove, are a significant contributor to Alberta’s overall economic prosperity and it’s time we had a long-term funding agreement with the province which reflects that,” said Mayor Acker.
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