INNISFAIL - Town council was recently told the provincial government is maintaining the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) funding program for another two years and will hold off replacing it with the new Local Government Fiscal Framework until at least that time.
Council was reminded at its regular meeting on Feb. 14 the provincial MSI program, which has been relied on to fund some of the town's major infrastructure upgrades and replacements, began in 2007 to provide Alberta municipalities stable funding.
In a report to council, Todd Becker, the town’s chief administrative officer, said the town receives on average $1.2 million a year from the MSI program.
Council agreed to endorse the province's memorandum of understanding to extend MSI funding for an additional two years until March 31, 2024.
The town had expected a switch to the new Local Government Fiscal Framework sooner but Becker said no reason was given to the town for the MSI program extension.
“We have not received any reason nor have we been part of any discussions on that fiscal framework they have referenced for a few years now,” said Becker. “There have been no details of that new program, and no reason why they are extending the MSI.”
