| 
|
Municipal
Affairs
Business
Plan 2004-07
March
24, 2004
PDF
version |
|
|
ACCOUNTABILITY
STATEMENT
This Business Plan for
the three years commencing April 1, 2004 was prepared under my direction
in accordance with the Government Accountability Act and
the government’s accounting policies. All of the government’s policy
decisions as at February 27, 2004 with material economic or fiscal
implications of which I am aware have been considered in preparing
the Business Plan.
The Ministry’s priorities
outlined in the Business Plan were developed in the context of the
government’s business and fiscal plans. I am committed to achieving
the planned results laid out in this Business Plan.
[original
signed]
Guy Boutilier, Minister
of Municipal Affairs
March 3, 2004
THE
MINISTRY
The
Ministry of Municipal Affairs consists of two main divisions: Local
Government Services and Public Safety, as well as five support branches.
Major responsibilities include: helping municipalities provide accountable,
well managed, responsive, and effective local government for Albertans;
administering a safety system that promotes fire protection and
strives to ensure buildings and equipment are constructed and maintained
to safe standards; and managing provincial emergency management
programs and supporting municipalities so they are prepared to deal
with major emergencies and disasters.
The Ministry includes the Municipal Government Board, an independent,
quasi-judicial board which conducts hearings on matters defined
in the Municipal Government Act; the Special Areas Board,
which provides municipal services and long-term land management
for three special areas in southeast Alberta; and National Park
Improvement Districts, which provide limited municipal services.
Primary clients and stakeholders include municipalities and their
related organizations and associations, organizations accredited
under the Safety Codes Act, and industry-based safety and
emergency management groups. The Ministry consults and works with
the local government sector, the public, industry, and other provincial
and federal government departments as an integral and ongoing part
of its activities.
LINK
TO THE GOVERNMENT STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
This
plan supports the three-year Government of Alberta Business Plan
to have an effective, responsive and well-managed local government
sector (Goal 6), which is aligned with the 20-year plan of making
Alberta the best place to live, work and visit (Opportunity 4).
Municipal Affairs provides support with:
- systems, programs and partnerships that foster excellence in
local governance, management and service delivery,
- processes to assist municipalities in resolving disputes,
- initiatives that help coordinate the provincial government approach
toward municipalities,
- a legislative framework that enables municipalities to operate
successfully and meet the local needs of Albertans,
- services and systems that contribute to financially sustainable
and accountable municipalities,
- financial support that enhances local government financial capability,
- a framework and systems that support an assessment and property
tax system that is accurate, understandable, predictable, transparent
and timely, and
- an independent appeal process for municipalities and individual
Albertans through the Municipal Government Board.
The plan also supports the three-year Government of
Alberta plan to have a financially, stable, open and accountable
government and a strong intergovernmental position in Canada (Goal
8), which is aligned with the 20-year plan of competing in the global
marketplace (Opportunity 3). Municipal Affairs participates in this
goal through the provision of grants in place of taxes to municipalities.
Our plan also supports the three-year Government of Alberta plan
to make Alberta a fair and safe place to work, live and raise families
(Goal 9), which is aligned with the 20-year plan of making Alberta
the best place to live, work and visit (Opportunity 4). Municipal
Affairs provides support with:
- an emergency management program that enables effective preparation
for, response to and recovery from major emergencies and disasters,
- a comprehensive safety system, including appropriate codes and
standards, that provides an appropriate level of public safety,
and
- programs to reduce personal and property loss resulting from
preventable fires.
VISION
Viable,
responsive, and well-managed local governments and a public safety
system that results in safe buildings, equipment and facilities,
and effective emergency management.
MISSION
Alberta
Municipal Affairs works in partnership with Alberta's municipalities,
other provincial government departments, our federal partners, local
authorities, various organizations focused on local matters, and
the private sector to ensure Albertans live in safe and sustainable
communities and are served by open, effective, accountable and well-managed
local governments.
VALUES
As
a Ministry, we value and support honesty, fairness, professionalism,
and accountability, while focusing on exceptional service for our
clients. We value our staff and their contributions of innovation,
creativity, collaboration and open communication. These elements
are key in achieving our Ministry's vision.
CORE
BUSINESSES
Core
Business 1: Local Government Services
Providing
support services, policies and legislation that enhance the development
of a sustainable, accountable, well-managed, responsive and effective
local government sector
Goal
1 An effective, responsive, cooperative and well-managed local
government sector
Goal 2 Financially sustainable and accountable municipalities
Goal 3 A well-managed and efficient assessment and property tax
system in which stakeholders have confidence.
Core
Business 2: Safety Services and Fire Protection
Administering
the safety system—the aggregate of provincial programs, regulations,
partnerships, codes and standards—that provides for safety
in the areas governed by the Safety Codes Act, and promotes fire
protection throughout the province.
Goal
4 A comprehensive safety system that provides an appropriate level
of public safety
Core
Business 3: Emergency Management Alberta
Managing
provincial emergency management programs and supporting municipalities
to ensure their preparedness to deal with major emergencies and
disasters.
Goal
5 An emergency management program that enables effective preparation
for, response to, and recovery from major emergencies and disasters
Core
Business 4: Municipal Government Board
Providing
independent, quasi-judicial adjudication on matters specified under
the Municipal Government Act.
Goal
6 An independent appeal system that administers and issues timely
and impartial decisions of high quality
| |
SIGNIFICANT
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
Municipal
Affairs strives to be vigilant and responsive in fulfilling its mandate
to ensure that Albertans live in safe, well-managed communities.
Rapid growth, shifting
demographics, reliance on technology, and the vulnerability of a resource-based
economy all impact local government operations. Industry clustering, potential
threats to security, complex regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements,
and a shortage of skilled labour are challenges that impact Municipal
Affairs' business activities.
The Ministry business
plan includes strategies to respond to Albertans' priorities. Three categories
of opportunities and challenges have been identified which may affect
business plan outcomes:
| Stakeholder
Relations: |
Increased
clarity in the roles, responsibilities and resource commitments
will allow each order of government to more efficiently and effectively
deliver its mandate. A key priority for the Ministry is to work
with municipal partners to refine the roles and responsibilities
of municipal governments and their relationship with the provincial
government. Municipalities and the provincial government will work
in partnership to serve Albertans. |
Challenges
of Growth:
|
Municipalities
continue to face financial pressure to repair or replace existing
infrastructure. Some municipal property tax assessment bases are
declining while other municipalities face rapid growth pressures.
Municipalities continue to indicate that current funding levels
and revenue sources may not be adequate to meet service or infrastructure
demands. Municipal Affairs has the opportunity to work with stakeholders
and assist in the development of strategies to enhance services
provided to citizens. |
| Public
Safety and Security: |
Perceptions
of safety and security have changed because of world events. Priorities
such as business continuity, critical infrastructure, water quality,
and growth are exerting increasing pressure on the Ministry, municipalities
and other partners. The Ministry will build on the planning and
response framework it has developed over the last two years to enhance
emergency management capabilities. Albertans' expectations are also
driving the development of innovative codes and standards. Further,
recognizing the role and contribution of the fire service to public
safety, the Ministry will promote initiatives to develop a unifying
framework for fire services throughout the province.
|
With the ongoing support
of partners, the Ministry is committed to responding to new challenges,
accommodating new technology, and developing effective solutions to meet
the changing needs and priorities of Albertans.
STRATEGIC
PRIORITIES 2004-07
Through
the Ministry’s review of external and internal challenges, the strategic
priorities described below have been identified. These are in addition
to the important ongoing core activities of the Ministry.
| 1.
Roles, Responsibilities, and Resources:
Linkage: Goal 1
|
A
key priority for the Ministry is to work with municipal partners
to refine the roles and responsibilities of municipal governments
and their relationship with the provincial government. Increased
clarity will allow each order of government to more efficiently
and effectively deliver the services for which it is responsible. |
| 2.
Emergency Management:
Linkage: Goal 5
|
World
events have emphasized the need to enhance existing provincial government
emergency management, while developing provincial and local capabilities
to deal with major emergencies and disasters. |
| 3.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation:
Linkage: Goal 1
|
The
Ministry is working in partnership with municipalities and Climate
Change Central to assist municipalities in addressing the challenge
of supporting energy efficiency and conservation. |
| 4.
Partnerships:
Linkage: Goal 1, 4, 5
|
The
Ministry is continuing to support an enhanced partnership approach
involving consultation, innovation and shared resourcing in the
delivery of services and programs. This approach provides opportunities
to deliver services more effectively, making the most of limited
resources. |
| 5.
Safety System Innovation:
Linkage: Goal 4
|
The
Safety System Review Report provides a strategic framework for enhancing
the province's safety system. The Ministry will work with national
and international codes and standards committees to advance performance-based
and objective-based codes, promote harmonization of codes and accommodate
new technology in codes and standards. |
CORE
BUSINESSES, GOALS, STRATEGIES AND MEASURES
CORE
BUSINESS ONE: Local Government Services
GOAL
1: An effective, responsive, cooperative and well-managed local
government sector
What
it means
The Ministry
promotes Alberta's prosperity and the Alberta Advantage by encouraging
the development of an efficient local government sector that provides
the services and infrastructure that Albertans and businesses need.
Key Result
1
Support
systems, programs and partnerships that foster excellence in local governance,
management, and service delivery
Strategies
- Encourage municipalities to cooperate with their neighbours to develop,
finance and implement improved growth management and more efficient
service delivery systems
- Work with rural and urban municipalities to establish effective and
efficient regional partnerships that create an atmosphere to attract
and retain investment, compete globally, and contribute to a high quality
of life
- Assist municipalities in addressing the challenges of climate change
by supporting energy efficiency and conservation
- Promote the self-evaluation of excellence to assist municipalities
and citizens in developing innovative strategies for more effective
governance, administration, financial management, and service delivery.
Maintain a program to recognize municipal excellence
- Develop and coordinate education and information services that include
training programs, job exchanges, online information, and workshops
for local elected officials, administrators, staff, and related professionals
- Provide management and administrative services for the Special Areas
and National Park Improvement Districts
Key Result
2
Resolution
of local and intermunicipal governance and management matters
Strategies
- Provide governance,
administration and management, and land-use planning advice to local
governments and associated local service delivery organizations
- Support intermunicipal
cooperation and self-directed dispute resolution through mediation and
facilitation
- Support the local
dispute resolution initiative to help municipalities resolve internal
disputes with staff and citizens
Key Result
3
A
coordinated provincial government approach toward municipalities
Strategies
- Support the Minister's
Provincial/Municipal Council on Roles, Responsibilities and Resources
in the 21st Century to refine the government's working relationship
with municipalities and support a mechanism to address major municipal-provincial
challenges and revenue considerations
- Work cooperatively
with the federal government, other ministries, municipalities, Metis
settlements and other organizations to improve the provision, coordination,
and implementation of policies, and the delivery of programs and services
that enhance local service effectiveness and efficiency
Key Result
4
A
legislative framework that enables municipalities to operate successfully
and meet the local needs of Albertans
Strategies
- Develop changes
to provincial legislation and regulations related to municipalities
that support innovative and improved approaches to local governance
and service delivery that will also result in a more refined legislative
framework
- Review provincial
land-use policies to determine the applicability of Smart Growth principles
Performance
Measures
GOAL
2: Financially sustainable and accountable municipalities
What
it means
The Ministry
monitors and assists the financial sustainability of local government,
while providing the legislative framework under which municipalities are
responsible and accountable to their citizens, particularly for the expenditure
of public funds.
Key Result
1
Appropriate
Ministry services and systems are in place to contribute to financially
sustainable municipalities
Strategies
- Maintain the Ministry's
financial monitoring systems that provide evidence of municipal financial
capacity
- Provide continued
advisory support to municipalities
- Assist municipalities
in examining and pursuing innovative approaches and restructuring that
will address their financial sustainability
- Encourage and facilitate
cost-sharing between municipalities
Key Result
2
Financial
support that enhances local government financial capability
Strategies
- Administer the
Unconditional Municipal Grant Program, Municipal Sponsorship Program,
the Grants in Place of Taxes Program, the Municipal Debenture Interest
Rebate Program and other existing municipal grant programs
- Modify existing
grant programs and develop new grant initiatives where enhanced support
for local government communities is appropriate
Performance
Measure
Goal
3: A well-managed and efficient assessment and property tax system in
which stakeholders have confidence
What
it means
The Ministry
promotes a fair and reliable system of generating revenue through taxation
of property for local governments and the province that is understandable
to stakeholders.
Key Result
1
Appropriate
Ministry services and systems are in place to contribute to financially
sustainable municipalities
Strategies
- Demonstrate leadership
by exhibiting a high level of professional standards and practice in
assessment and clearly identifying roles and functions of all stakeholders
within the system
- Administer assessment
procedures and guidelines on an ongoing basis, and review regulated
assessment procedures and guidelines regularly
- Develop and maintain
handbooks and guides and provide professional advice to ensure that
assessment practices and methodologies are current
- Support the property
assessment and tax system by providing timely and accurate linear property
assessments
- Support the property
assessment and tax system by providing timely and accurate equalized
assessments and education tax requisitions
- Facilitate appropriate
sharing of data to improve the assessment, audit, equalization, and
education taxation requisition processes
- Maintain a comprehensive
program of annual statistical audits and a five-year cycle for assessment
procedure audits for each municipality
Performance
Measure
CORE
BUSINESS TWO: Safety Services and Fire Protection
GOAL
4: A comprehensive safety system that provides an appropriate level
of public safety
What
it means
Albertans
are confident that the homes, buildings and facilities where they work,
live and do business, and the associated equipment, such as elevators,
electrical, heating and plumbing systems are constructed and maintained
to safe standards.
Key Result
1
Appropriate
codes and standards
Strategies
- Participate in
the review, development and harmonization of national and international
codes, standards and provincial regulations that are used in Alberta
- Maintain appropriate
codes, standards and regulations in consultation with the Safety Codes
Council, industry, the public, delegated administrative organizations
(DAOs), and other partners. The DAOs are: Alberta Boilers Safety Association,
Alberta Elevating Devices and Amusement Rides Safety Association, and
Petroleum Tank Management Association of Alberta
- Work with national
and provincial bodies in the development of objective-based and performance-based
safety codes
Key Result
2
Uniform,
effective and efficient administration of codes, standards and programs
Strategies
- Manage and maintain
effective monitoring programs that promote continued improvement of
accredited municipalities, agencies, corporations and delegated administrative
organizations in their administration of the Safety Codes Act
- Promote municipalities'
acceptance of the Uniform Quality Management Plan to provide consistency
in the delivery of inspection services
- Provide leadership
and technical advice to users of the safety system in the administration
of the Safety Codes Act and the interpretation of legislation,
technical codes and standards
- Promote information
sharing with users of the safety system as well as public awareness
and understanding of the purpose and value of codes and standards
- Promote the use
of the province-wide electronic permitting and information system by
accredited municipalities
- Enhance programs
in partnership with stakeholders to mitigate the health and environmental
risks posed by private sewage disposa
- Monitor the administration
of the Underground Petroleum Storage Tank Site Remediation Program by
the Safety Codes Council
- Encourage municipalities
and other stakeholders to establish partnerships for the administration
of the Safety Codes Act
Key Result
3
Reduced
personal and property loss resulting from preventable fires
Strategies
- Promote public
awareness of fire prevention and safety by disseminating fire safety
information and delivering targeted educational campaigns
- Encourage regional,
provincial, and national partnerships to promote fire safety and injury
prevention
- Assist municipal
fire departments with fire investigations, fire protection advisory
services, public education, inspections and regional seminars
- Provide and maintain
a province-wide fire incident database system
- Develop fire program
priorities based on analysis of the database and other information sources
- Encourage all Aboriginal
communities to report fire statistics so they can use their data to
develop fire prevention programs
Key Result
4
Enhanced
access to progressive skills training and leadership development for fire
service personnel
Strategies
- Assist fire
etc. (the provincial fire training centre) in delivering internationally
accredited training and development programs
- Explore innovative
fire service training partnerships to use resources from across the
province, promoting a regional service delivery concept
- Provide grants
to assist municipal fire departments with training programs
Key Result
5
An
Alberta fire service that shares a strategic vision for all aspects of
fire protection
Strategies
- Develop a unifying
framework for the fire service
- Research, develop
and recommend standards and uniform procedures for Alberta's fire departments
Performance
Measures
CORE
BUSINESS THREE: Emergency Management Alberta
GOAL
5: An emergency management program that enables effective preparation
for, response to, and recovery from major emergencies and disasters
What it means
Alberta's
communities and the provincial government, in collaboration with partners,
deal effectively with major emergencies and disasters.
Key Result
1
Timely
and effective emergency management
Strategies
- Coordinate the
development, training, evaluation and maintenance of the province's
and individual ministry emergency plans
- Assist municipalities
(including Metis settlements) and First Nations in developing, evaluating
and maintaining their emergency plans and providing related training
assistance
- Support municipalities
(including Metis settlements) and First Nations in responding to major
emergencies and disasters
- Lead the development,
training, evaluation, maintenance and coordination of the Government
of Alberta and ministry business continuity plans
- Train partners
in the use of Alberta's emergency management operations centre and activate
the centre as appropriate
- Manage disaster
recovery programs and, whenever possible, facilitate federal cost sharing
- Provide grants
to municipalities to assist them in the delivery of emergency management
training
- Lead the development
and implementation of emergency management information and notification
systems
Key Result
2
Effective
partnerships
Strategies
- Lead and support
the development of joint mitigation and preparedness strategies and
initiatives with partners
- Enhance the use
of Alberta's emergency management operations centre through federal,
provincial, municipal and private sector partnerships
- Promote membership
in and enhance the activities of the Alberta Emergency Preparedness
Partnership
- Work with other
provincial ministries, provinces and territories to negotiate with the
federal government an equitable arrangement for allocating federal-provincial
disaster assistance
Performance
Measures
CORE
BUSINESS FOUR: Municipal Government Board
GOAL
6: An independent appeal system that administers and issues timely
and impartial decisions of high quality
What
it means
An efficient,
effective and responsive appeal system that is seen as being fair and
impartial by all parties to a complaint or appeal, and that provides quality
processes and decisions.
Key Result
1
Timely
processing of appeals filed with the Board
Strategies
- Complete redevelopment
of the board's database. Continue to enhance databases to achieve the
efficient recording, tracking, analyzing and managing of all appeal
activity
- Investigate advanced
case management procedures for selected appeals to ensure timeliness
in hearing and deciding appeals
- Work with stakeholders
to expedite the scheduling and hearing of appeals
- Schedule, monitor
and track all decision-making and writing activities to ensure compliance
with established timelines and procedures
- Continue to develop
administrative procedures that ensure withdrawals are undertaken in
a timely fashion and effectively allow resources to be assigned to each
matter requiring a hearing
Key Result
2
High
quality, independent processes, decisions and solutions
Strategies
- Provide ongoing
training to strengthen adjudication skills for sustaining high quality,
timely, consistent and independent processes and decision-making
- Obtain feedback
from stakeholders on an annual basis to gauge board performance, areas
of strength and areas requiring improvement
- Explore, develop
and pilot various processes for expediting appeals such as alternate
dispute resolution methods, advanced appeal management, and one-member
panels
- Manage the recruiting
program to ensure the board maintains the required range of professional
skills to meet its roles and responsibilities as a quasi-judicial tribunal
Performance
Measures
SUPPORT
SERVICES
Financial
and Information Technology Services |
Directs
the Ministry's information-technology, financial reporting and budgetary
activities, in a shared services environment, and ensures an accountability
framework is in place to meet the obligations of the Financial
Administration Act and the Government Accountability Act. |
Business
Services |
Manages
business planning and performance measurement, environmental scanning,
information access, and privacy protection. Coordinates legislative
planning, Recommendations for Orders-in-Council, and Ministerial
Orders. Monitors and coordinates responses on activities of the
Legislative Assembly that impact the Ministry. Provides central
administrative services in a shared services environment with the
Alberta Corporate Services Centre. |
Communications |
Provides
strategic communications advice, consulting services, planning and
communications support to the Minister, Deputy Minister and department
staff to help communicate effectively with stakeholders, the media
and Albertans. |
Human
Resource |
Provides
support in the human resource function to management and staff in
achieving departmental priorities and the goals of the business
plan. Some services are provided through a shared services approach
in partnership with the Alberta Corporate Services Centre. |
|
Legal
Services |
Provides
legal services to Municipal Affairs and Government Services and
their associated boards in a shared services environment. |
EXPENSE
BY CORE BUSINESS
MINISTRY
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
CONSOLIDATED
NET OPERATING RESULT
Go
to: Revenue Business Plan
|
Contact
Us
