Woodlands County finalizes inter-municipal agreement with Whitecourt

WOODLANDS COUNTY – After six years of work, council representatives from both Woodlands County and the Town of Whitecourt signed the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Agreement (ICF) Oct. 1.

The ICF agreement is a Government of Alberta initiative for bordering municipalities to have in place.

“I look towards the future and further negotiations on what the next steps are,” stated Reeve Kusch, Woodlands County councillor.

“It's about time.”

“This has been an issue that's been passed down from different councils over multiple years.”

“I'm glad that we are at a point where we're at least working enough together we can get this portion finalized and put behind us.”

It has been a long road getting to the milestone of signing the ICF agreement.

In 2017 the Government of Alberta issued legislation requiring bordering municipalities to enter into ICF agreements, according to the Alberta.ca website.

Woodlands County and the Town of Whitecourt began negotiations for the ICF agreement in 2018.

The complex negotiations went into voluntary arbitration in 2020 in attempts to complete the process, according to the Woodlands County website.

Woodlands County appealed an arbitrator’s decision in 2022 on the ICF agreement and in July this year Justice Wayne N Renke ruled against the Woodlands county’s position of what intermunicipal services were included.

ICF framework agreements are meant to formalize how bordering municipalities will manage growth, coordinate service delivery, and provide resources and services for residents.

Both municipalities will work together to negotiate new, cost share service agreements that will represent the needs and interests of area constituents.

The Woodlands County and Town of Whitecourt ICF agreement was the last one in the province to be completed to meet the Government of Alberta’s legislation.

“The completion of the ICF Agreement is a testament to our dedication to the region and its people,” stated Reeve Kusch in the media release.

“By working together, we not only deliver essential programs and services but also cultivate a sense of community and encourage sustainable growth.”

“This partnership positions Woodlands County and Whitecourt to move forward together, ensuring the shared prosperity of our municipalities for years to come.”