The Town of Rocky Mountain House is proud of its regional collaboration with our closest municipal neighbour, Clearwater County. Residents of the Town of Rocky Mountain House and Clearwater County are jointly considered when the municipalities agree to work together.
Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework
The Town of Rocky Mountain House and Clearwater County have approved an updated Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF), a tool designed to facilitate cooperation between neighbouring municipalities to ensure municipal services are provided to residents efficiently and cost effectively. ICFs are required for municipalities that share a border under the Municipal Government Act (MGA).
Intermunicipal Development Plan
An Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) is a collaborative planning document created between adjacent municipalities to guide how land along their shared boundaries will be developed and managed. An IDP establishes a framework for coordinated land use, growth, infrastructure and environmental management between neighbouring municipalities. It helps ensure that development near municipal borders is compatible, efficient and sustainable, while reducing potential conflicts over land use, services and future expansion.
Regional Agreements
Airport Operating and Managing Agreement
Town of Rocky Mountain House – Clearwater County
The Rocky Mountain House Airport is jointly owned by the Town of Rocky Mountain House and Clearwater County. The Town, as Managing Partner, is responsible for day-to-day operations of the Rocky Mountain House Airport.
Community Support Service Agreement
Town of Rocky Mountain House – Clearwater County
Both municipalities have property within their boundaries that are property tax exempt. These are typically hospitals, schools, churches or any other non-profit organization that provides a benefit to the community. In comparison of the two municipalities, the Town has a greater number of these properties, and therefore a larger tax deficit for servicing these properties. This agreement identifies and quantifies the difference, and binds Clearwater County to assists the Town in servicing these properties. The County does so by contributing 35% of the exempt property tax from these properties.
Emergency Mutual Aid Agreement
Town of Rocky Mountain House - Clearwater County
A formal arrangement that allows the Town and County to share resources, personnel, and equipment during emergencies or disasters. It ensures that the two municipalities can support one another when local capacity is overwhelmed, improving response efficiency and public safety. This agreement outlines procedures, responsibilities, cost recovery and liability to make cooperation smooth and legally clear.
Family and Community Support Services Agreement
Town of Rocky Mountain House – Clearwater County
Establishes the Clearwater Regional Family and Community Support Services Board. The Board consists of three Town representatives and four County representatives. The Town is managing partner and employs a Regional FCSS Manager. FCSS is 80% funded by the Province of Alberta. The remaining 20% is cost-shared between the two municipalities on a per-capita basis. All programs and services are available to all residents of the Town of Rocky Mountain House and Clearwater County.
Intermunicipal Regional Fire Rescue Services Agreement
Town of Rocky Mountain House – Clearwater County - Village of Caroline (former)
Establishes the terms and conditions by which the three municipalities will operate, administer and fund the Regional Fire Rescue Services for the benefit of the Municipalities and their respective residents. Allocation proportion for operating costs are 77% Clearwater County, 23% Town of Rocky Mountain House, and 0% former Village of Caroline.
Library Agreement
Town of Rocky Mountain House – Clearwater County - Rocky Mountain House Library Board
Describes the cost sharing arrangements between the Town of Rocky Mountain House and Clearwater County for the operation of the Rocky Mountain House Public Library and the maintenance of the library building. Annual operational and building maintenance costs for the library are shared equally between the Town and County. The library building is owned by the Town. The library itself is operated by an independent board in accordance with the Libraries Act.
Museum Operations Agreement
Town of Rocky Mountain House – Clearwater County - Rocky Mountain House Reunion Historical Society
Establishes the Museum Operations Board responsible for the maintenance and operation of the museum building. The Board consists of two members from the Rocky Mountain House Reunion Historical Society, two members appointed by Clearwater County, two members appointed by the Town of Rocky Mountain House and one member appointed from the community at-large. Annual operating costs are shared equally between the Town and County and based on net operating expenses of the approved budget. The budget is reviewed annually. The property is owned by the Town, while the building and other assets are owed by the Rocky Mountain House Reunion Historical Society.
RCMP Clerks Cost Share Agreement
Town of Rocky Mountain House - Clearwater County
The Town of Rocky Mountain House and Clearwater County recognize the importance of RCMP clerks for the RCMP to perform their policing duties. The Town and County agree to equally pay for municipal RCMP clerks at the Rocky Mountain House detachment.
Recreation Facilities and Services Funding Agreement
Town of Rocky Mountain House – Clearwater County
The Town of Rocky Mountain House and Clearwater County recognize that recreation facilities are enjoyed by residents of both municipalities. Through this agreement, the Town and County agree to share the capital and operating costs of certain facilities and recreation services within the Town of Rocky Mountain House.
Regional Solid Waste Agreement
Town of Rocky Mountain House – Clearwater County
This agreement defines the responsibility of each municipality to handle waste for their citizens. The agreement identifies that residents of Clearwater County and the Town of Rocky Mountain House may access waste services in either municipality for the same cost, though fee collection methods may differ. It also establishes that Clearwater County will own and operate the regional landfill. Likewise any fees charged to users of the landfill will be the same for all the region’s citizens.
School Resource Officer Agreement
Town of Rocky Mountain House – Clearwater County
This agreement allows for the designation of one or more RCMP officers as school resource officers for participating schools operated by Wild Rose School Division in the Town of Rocky Mountain House and Clearwater County. The Town arranges for the officer(s) to be provided through its municipal RCMP contract and invoices the other parties for the costs. The School Resource Officer Steering Committee comprises one Town representative, one County representative, two public school principals and two community members at large. The committee is responsible for recommending an annual operating budget and annual service/program delivery plan to both Councils.
Wastewater Treatment Capital Funding Agreement
Town of Rocky Mountain House – Clearwater County
This agreement provides access to the Town’s wastewater treatment facility for County ratepayers and sewage hauling companies based in Clearwater County. The Town of Rocky Mountain House remains the sole operator of the lagoon and is responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements. Town (74.6%) and County (25.4%) each contribute to the new capital treatment infrastructure based on the percentage of usage and concentrate of sewage. Maintenance and operational costs are recovered through user fees.
2021 Regional Governance Study
The Town of Rocky Mountain House, Clearwater County and the hamlet of Caroline (formerly Village of Caroline) participated in a Regional Governance Study to explore the most effective and efficient governance structure to support the region's growth and long-term prosperity. The study was funded by a grant from the Province of Alberta. Nichols Applied Management and ISL Engineering and Land Services Ltd. undertook the study on behalf of the three municipalities. The study was finalized in the fall of 2021.
Click here to view the final report.
