A new tri-municipal partnership has been launched to enhance collaboration between the City of Lacombe, Lacombe County, and the Town of Blackfalds.
The North Blindman River Tri-Municipal Collaborative (NBRTC) was formally established after the Intermunicipal Development Plan and Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Committee, which includes members from all three municipalities, recommended creating a regional body to expand cooperation.
The committee will serve as a strategic advisory group, focused on identifying opportunities and issues of mutual interest. It will not replace existing intermunicipal committees, such as the ICF/IDP Committee between the city and county but will provide recommendations on regional initiatives to the respective councils.
“The creation of the NBRTC is a natural next step in building on the strong partnerships that exist between the City of Lacombe, Lacombe County, and the Town of Blackfalds,” Acting Lacombe CAO Jordan Thompson said. “By coming together in this way, our municipalities can work more strategically on shared opportunities and challenges.”
Lacombe County manager Tim Timmons said the committee builds on a “long history of working together, built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to our residents.”
Town of Blackfalds CAO Kim Isaak said the initiative will strengthen communication and trust while opening the door to new opportunities for collaboration.
The NBRTC will include two council members from each municipality, with an additional alternate appointed by each. The municipalities’ CAOs will serve in advisory, non-voting roles.
An upcoming workshop will prioritize topics for the committee’s initial work plan. Discussion areas could include growth planning, infrastructure, recreation, culture, economic development, emergency services, and regional planning. Matters already covered by existing agreements, along with day-to-day operational issues, will remain outside its scope.
**with information provided by The City of Lacombe
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