By TERRY PUGH
Delegates to the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention in Regina solidly endorsed a resolution urging more equitable cost-sharing between municipalities when it comes to regional emergency services and recreational facilities.
The resolution, submitted by the Village of Borden, received overwhelming support during the resolutions session April 13, with 296 delegates voting in favour and 36 opposed.
Borden Mayor Cody Bradshaw stated during the debate on the resolution that urban municipalities provide the majority of essential community services and recreation facilities across the province. While these facilities and services are used extensively by residents living in surrounding rural municipalities, the capital and operating expenses are borne almost entirely by residents and businesses in small towns and villages.
“The reality is small towns like Borden too often bear the lion’s share of the costs,” said Bradshaw. “This isn’t about ‘rural’ versus ‘urban’. It’s about shared use and responsibility. The services should be treated as regional and funded that way. If we share services we should share the cost.”
The resolution called on SUMA to advocate that the Government of Saskatchewan ensure fair financial participation from rural municipalities in support of regional community services by implementing “mandatory cost-sharing agreements for essential regional emergency services such as fire response, and ensuring fair proportional contribution relative to service area and population served.”
The resolution also recommends that provincial incentive programs be implemented to encourage and support collaboration on recreational and community-based services and facilities; and that the province assist municipalities in structuring fair contribution models and resolving disputes in a timely and equitable manner.
WATER, WASTEWATER OPERATOR CERTIFICATION
Another resolution submitted by the Village of Borden that received the endorsement of SUMA convention delegates dealt with the difficulties small urban municipalities have in recruiting, training and retaining certified water and wastewater technicians.
Borden Mayor Cody Bradshaw said safe drinking water and effective wastewater treatment are essential public services, and municipalities are required by law to ensure certified operators are responsible for the operation of waterworks and wastewater systems.
“Small municipalities like Borden invest heavily in training operators,” said Bradshaw. “But the reality is we can’t compete on wages, and there is a constant turnover of trained personnel who take positions with larger centres.
“This leaves a service gap that increases risks to public health and regulatory compliance.”
Bradshaw advocated a provincial retention grant program within a ‘return of service’ bonding framework to encourage certified operators to remain in the communities which provided funds to allow them to take their training.
“If we don’t fix the retention problem, we’re going to continue to spend public dollars on training,” said Bradshaw. “This is about protecting public services in Saskatchewan.”
The resolution called on SUMA to press the provincial and federal governments to implement a retention grant program that supports ongoing employment of certified operators in small communities for a defined term following training.
The resolution also recommended:
* a ‘bonding/return of service framework’ be created at the provincial level;
* regionally-funded operator-sharing models that include inter-municipal agreements, mobile circuit riders or dedicated regional public utility operators be established; and
* a review of provincial wage supports or classification programs to ensure small municipalities remain viable service providers in compliance with regulated certification requirements.