TOWN OF FAIRVIEW & MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF FAIRVIEW NO. 136 REGIONAL GOVERNANCE STUDY Final Report January 11, 2021 Prepared By: 1 Table of Contents LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL ......................................................................................................................................... 4 ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................................................... 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................................. 6 1.0 SCOPE & METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................................. 8 1.1 BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................................................................ 9 1.2 PROJECT PLAN .......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 1.3 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION .................................................................................................................................................. 11 Key Messages Manual ....................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Website ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11 Interviews .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Public Workshops ................................................................................................................................................................................ 12 2.0 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT .........................................................................................................................13 2.1 GOVERNANCE ........................................................................................................................................................................... 14 2.2 ADMINISTRATION ....................................................................................................................................................................... 15 2.3 SERVICE DELIVERY ...................................................................................................................................................................... 16 2.4 EXTERNAL ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................................................................. 18 Survey .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Workshops ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 20 Establishing a Baseline ....................................................................................................................................................................... 20 3.0 SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW...............................................................................................................................22 3.1 SERVICE DELIVERY ...................................................................................................................................................................... 23 3.2 GOVERNANCE & COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS .......................................................................................................................... 27 3.3 INTERNAL SERVICES: CURRENT MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES ....................................................................... 27 3.4 CURRENT INTERMUNICIPAL AGREEMENTS .................................................................................................................................... 31 4.0 FINANCIAL REVIEW ..........................................................................................................................................35 4.1 MUNICIPAL FINANCES ................................................................................................................................................................ 36 4.2 FINANCIAL OBSERVATIONS ........................................................................................................................................................ 40 Property Taxes and Assessment Values .......................................................................................................................................... 40 Mill Rates .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 41 Government Grants ............................................................................................................................................................................ 41 Investment Income ................................................................................................................................................................................ 42 Utility Operations ................................................................................................................................................................................ 42 User Fees and Charges ...................................................................................................................................................................... 43 Rental Revenue .................................................................................................................................................................................... 43 Fines and Penalties .............................................................................................................................................................................. 44 Regional Funding Transfers ............................................................................................................................................................... 44 Transfers from Other Groups ............................................................................................................................................................ 45 Other Revenue ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 45 Salary and Employee Benefits ......................................................................................................................................................... 45 Council Expenses .................................................................................................................................................................................. 46 Business and Training Expenses ........................................................................................................................................................ 47 Professional Services .......................................................................................................................................................................... 48 Rentals and Leases .............................................................................................................................................................................. 48 Contracted Services ............................................................................................................................................................................ 49 Supplies and Materials ...................................................................................................................................................................... 50 Repairs and Maintenance .................................................................................................................................................................. 51 Utilities ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 51 Requisitions ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 51 Regional Transfers ............................................................................................................................................................................... 52 Municipal Operating Grants ............................................................................................................................................................. 53 Other Expenses ...................................................................................................................................................................................