MSI Projects

Beginning in 2007, the Province of Alberta committed to provide municipalities with funding through the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) to help support local infrastructure priorities and build strong, safe and resilient communities.

In 2009, due to economic circumstances, the province reduced its MSI funding levels. Operational funding was reduced by 10% and capital funding was reduced by 40%. The province committed to providing the total MSI funding with the possibility of extending it over a period of more than 10 years.

Our past funding from MSI grants is as follows:

 OperatingCapital
2007$116,312$753,459
2008$379,097$1,098,345
2009$368,951$805,284
2010$357,311$1,893,310
2011$337,622$1,769,950
2012$323,334$1,747,847
2013$317,780$1,674,900
2014$184,574$2,393,932
2015$184,574$3,174,698
2016$237,241$2,553,307
2017$232,371$2,507,567
2018$232,371$4,033,331

Below is a list of Flagstaff County approved initiatives. These initiatives utilized MSI and special projects funds.

2018 Initiatives

Operating Grant:

  • Hamlet Building Maintenance – $21,280
  • Dust Suppressant – $196,862
  • Hamlet Waste Water – $21,807
  • Hamlet Water – $50,234

Capital Grant:

  • Shop Building – $3,810,100
  • Bridges – $309,112
  • Hamlet of Strome – Water/Waste Water – $185,890
  • Hamlet of Galahad – Water /Waste Water – $130,160

2017 Initiatives

Operating Grant:

  • Hamlet Water Line Maintenance – $15,200
  • Dust Suppressant – $170,625

Capital Grant:

  • Shop Building – $2,189,900
  • Bridges – $303,325
  • Road Construction – $299,393
  • Hamlet of Strome – Water/Waste Water – $113,055
  • Hamlet of Galahad – Water/Waste Water – $26,272

2016 Initiatives

Operating Grant:

  • Software upgrades – $100,000
  • Dust Suppressant – $137,241

Capital Grant:

  • Water Loading Facility – $99,391
  • Bridges – $557,792
  • Road Construction – $366,600
  • Gravel – $500,000
  • Hamlet of Strome Water/Waste Water – $94,694
  • Hamlet of Galahad – Waste Water – $63,713

2015 Initiatives

  • Dust Suppressant – Budget: $281,450
    Total MSI Operating funding, $281,450, which included $99,160 carried forward from 2014, allocated towards dust suppressant.

2014 Initiatives

  • Teen Leisure Club – Phase 2 – Budget: $172,092
    Phase 1 (2010) – Research and collect data.
    Phase 2 (2012-2014) – Create a Teen Leisure Club.Phase 2 of this project was implemented in 2012 by Flagstaff Family and Community Services (FFCS), with funding from this program. Nights Alive opened on September 4, 2012.
  • Support to Non-Profit Organizations– Cost: $75,000
    1) Battle River Training Hub ($20,000)
    2) Parents for Fun in Flagstaff ($25,000)
    3) Flagstaff Community Adult Learning ($30,000)

2013 Initiatives

  • Teen Leisure Club – Phase 2 – Cost: $167,629
    Phase 1 (2010) – Research and collect data.
    Phase 2 (2012-2014) – Create a Teen Leisure Club.Phase 2 of this project was implemented in 2012 by Flagstaff Family and Community Services (FFCS), with funding from this program. Nights Alive opened on September 4, 2012.
  • Support to Non-Profit Organizations – Cost: $75,000
    Provide funding to three organizations that have significant impact towards our rural quality of life. Each organization is recognized as an important contribution to the Community. The organizations receiving funding are (click link for more information):

     

    1) Battle River Training Hub ($20,000)
    2) Parents for Fun in Flagstaff ($25,000)
    3) Flagstaff Community Adult Learning ($30,000)

  • Air Photo Project – Cost: $57,668.93
    Aerial imagery project in which orthophotos were taken. This project involved aerial image acquisition, ground control and targeting, production of digital true colour orthorectified images, and 30 cm orthophoto production – 1:20,000 or better.
  • Physician Recruitment Initiative – Cost: $28,6380
    Continue to provide administrative and financial support to the Flagstaff Community Medical Recruitment and Retention Committee in order to actively participate in the retention and recruitment of medical professionals in the Flagstaff Region. The committee is committed to working together to ensure that adequate medical services are provided and the sustainability of our communities is maintained.
  • Computer Software AutoCad – Cost: $12,029Purchase AutoCAD Civil 3D software which will allow staff to draft and prepare blue prints of road construction projects.

2012 Initiatives

  • A1-2012: Regional Water Operator’s Consortium – Cost: $10,536
    This project involves upgrading existing water treatment plant infrastructure and installing remote monitoring technology. This will assist our communities in recruiting and retaining certified personnel to operate their water treatment and distribution systems.
  • E1-2012: GIS Enterprise Solution – GPS (Phase 3 of 3) – Cost: $238,785
    Flagstaff County recognizes the need to be progressive in the Geographic Information Systems/Global Positioning Satellites technology and continues to move forward with this program. This project has a three year time frame and will create an “Enterprise Solution” that connects all of our data to a map. Digital data such as; taxes, assessment, ownership, oil and gas wells, pipelines, road types, road widths, bridges, culverts, land use, water wells, and any other data related to a parcel of land can be viewed on a map. This spatial tool will allow for improved planning, analysis, and reporting mechanisms.
  • E2-2012: Municipal Internship Program – Year 2 – Cost: $37,300
    Flagstaff County is participating in the second year of a Municipal Internship Program to employ an intern. This program is designed to provide support to municipalities in recruiting, training, and retaining competent employees who can progress into leadership positions. By participating, we are demonstrating commitment to the future of municipal government in Alberta.
  • D2-2012: Teen Leisure Club – Phase 2 – Cost: $266,502 
    Phase 1 – Research and collect data.
    Phase 2 – Create a Teen Leisure Club.

     

    The goal of the teen leisure club is to allow youth to socially develop in a safe environment with structured programming to encourage appropriate teen behaviour. This provides ownership of the facility for teens where they can have a positive influence on their activities and contribute to the community; they can meet new people and create future relationships. Phase 1 of this project involved researching similar facilities around the province to determine what was working effectively and where improvements could be made. Phase 2 of this project will be implemented in 2012 by Flagstaff Family and Community Services (FFCS), with funding from this program.

2011 Initiatives

  • A3-2011: Host a Community Builder’s Workshop/D9-2011: Host an Active Living Conference for Seniors – Cost: $32,910
    A workshop where representatives from various organizations (Student and Parent Councils, Lions Club, Legion members, Ag Society, Business leaders, etc.) have an opportunity to engage and determine our communities needs. Provide opportunity to organizations within our community to build relationships that will allow them to achieve social, economic, cultural and environmental goals together to become more healthy and active communities.Host an active living conference for men and women over the age of 55. The purpose of this one day conference is to recognize the importance of active living to the well being, independence and quality of life for our seniors. A keynote speaker will be brought in and various individual breakout sessions will take place throughout the day. These sessions will cover topics such as:
    • Income planning for retirement
    • Fitness for People 55 and Better
    • Preserving the Stories of Your Lives
    • Using Your Medications Wisely
  • C1-2011: Host a symposium on value added opportunities for agriculture, a trade fair and a regional farmer’s market – Cost: $23,241A one day symposium, trade fair and regional farmers market that will provide information and opportunities for agricultural producers and industry to expand their markets and network.
  • E1-2011: Records Management System – Cost: $80,000The intent of this project is to fully integrate paper and electronic files into an Information System where documents are effectively managed, streamlined and easily retrievable. This ensures the preservation of vital records and a more efficient retrieval process, reduction of staff time spent on searching for files/documents, and creates efficient use of office and storage space for records by reducing the storage of short-term documents.  
  • E2-2011: Municipal Internship Program (Year 1) – Cost: $11,111
    This initiative involves partnering with the Towns of Daysland, Killam, and Sedgewick to hire one municipal intern to work amongst the four municipalities. By partnering, we are able to provide opportunities in various program areas which provide practical experience to ensure an understanding of municipal structure, management, and operations is gained.  
  • D10-2011: Campsite Improvements – Cost: $74,380Work with the municipalities of Daysland, Hardisty, and Alliance to upgrade their local campsites located in the County. Some improvements include general site maintenance, building maintenance, and tree/shelterbelt replacement.  
  • A4-2011: Provide a “Community Bus” as transportation for citizens/clubs within our communities – Cost: $181,825Purchase a 34 passenger bus to be utilized by citizens and clubs of the Flagstaff Community as affordable transportation to attend social activities/functions.  
  • E3-2011: Public Works Programs and Services Review – Cost: $63,000This project will review particular programs and services to assist in strengthening the department to increase the ability to provide a responsible level of service to our community.  

2010 Initiatives

  • B1-2010: Research innovative eco-friendly practices that could be applied to Flagstaff County’s operations – Cost: $43,335
    The overall purpose of this project was to investigate current Flagstaff County practices, equipment, and facilities for opportunities to cost effectively improve the environmental footprint and develop a strategy for immediate implementation.
  • B2/B3-2010: Determine air quality baseline for the Hardisty Hub area/Research air shed monitoring best practices – Cost: $32,965
    There are two objectives of this project:
    1) Obtain baseline data related to the air quality and air shed for the Hardisty Hub area.
    2) Investigate and summarize the most probable impacts to Flagstaff County of significant  emissions from oil facilities at the Hardisty Hub.

     

    The intent is to provide a “snapshot” document of current information which can be understood at a basic level and be referred to in five (5) years for comparison purposes when gathering and updating the information. It is also intended to provide Flagstaff County with “Tools for Awareness” when dealing with future land use planning within the Hardisty Hub area.

  • D1-2010: Social Sustainability Framework – Cost: $47,254
    The overall goal of this Framework is to enhance the well-being of the current and future residents of the Flagstaff Region, and to maintain and enhance the level of community services, despite limited growth.
  • D11-2010: Provide assistance to the “Parents for Fun in Flagstaff” non-profit organization – Cost: $25,000
    “Parents for Fun in Flagstaff” is a non-profit organization established and operated by local parents to have services offered directly to the children and families in our area rather than having the families travel to a larger urban centre for these services. The funding provided to Parents for Fun in Flagstaff helped create an in-door activity centre for children under six.
  • D8-2010: Teen Leisure Club – Phase 1 – Cost: $20,000
    This project involves providing ownership of a facility for teens where they can positively influence activities and contribute to the community; they can meet new people and create future relationships; and allows youth to socially develop in a safe environment with structured programming to encourage appropriate teen behavior.

     

    Phase 1 involved contracting Flagstaff Family and Community Services (FFCS) to research similar facilities around the province to determine what was working effectively and where improvements could be made, as well as what the youth in Flagstaff wanted.

    Phase 2 will consist of the implementation of the research and the creation of Nights Alive. This program will be located in the upper level of the old County administration building beginning in 2012. Flagstaff County will contract FFCS to implement Phase 2 of this project.

  • C2-2010: Develop an Economic Development Strategic Plan – Cost: $40,000
    The intent of the plan is to help Flagstaff County and the towns within the County to understand what is needed to enhance economic development in view of the economic trends and global issues. 
  • B6-2010: Water Well Abandonment – Cost: $19,693
    In association with Iron Creek Watershed, this program was established for water well abandonment to eliminate the risk of groundwater contamination. A total of 10 wells were plugged.
  • E2-2010: Establish a Rural Addressing System – Cost: $178,445
    Rural Addressing is a standardized system of identifying and locating rural properties. This system will aid emergency response personnel, utility companies, couriers, and other visitors finding rural residences quicker. A rural address is a more accurate way to locate your property than a legal land description. While a legal land description can identify a specific quarter section, a rural address will pinpoint the access to your home or business off of a range road, township, or highway, which is critical in emergency response situations. 
  • GIS Enterprise Solution (Phase 1 of 3) – Cost: $148,969
    Flagstaff County recognizes that they need to be progressive in the Geographic Information Systems/Global Positioning Satellites technology and continues to move forward with this program. This project is a three year project and will create an “Enterprise Solution” that connects all of our data to a map. Digital data can be easily viewed on a map such as taxes, assessment, ownership, oil and gas wells, pipelines, road types, road widths, bridges, culverts, land use, water wells, and any other data we have collected related to a parcel of land. This spatial tool will allow for improved planning, analysis and reporting mechanisms.

2008 & 2009 Initiatives

  • A2-2008: Address Regionalized Emergency Services System – Cost: $110,000
    This project involved the following:

     

    1. Develop an operational model for delivering Emergency Services
    2. Determine appropriate service levels
    3. Determine facilities and equipment
    4. Determine appropriate training levels
    5. Ensure the process is collaborative and guided by the strategic objective
  • A3-2008: To continue to help communities that request assistance retain their identity and enjoy a good quality of life by providing administrative and other services – Cost: $22,225
    This project aims to provide affordable administrative services which assists in the compliance with the MGA; allows communities to continue to function; and makes service delivery more efficient and effective across municipal boundaries.
  • A5-2008: Build relationships and networking to enhance inter-municipal understanding – Cost: $1,480
    This project focused on building strong relationships with our Towns and Villages and creating opportunities for collaboration and cooperation.
  • C5-2008: Evaluate potential for skills, trades, and other post secondary educational opportunities to be delivered locally – Cost: $40,000
    Flagstaff County provided financial assistance to Battle River Training Foundation in 2008 and 2009 to help rural Albertans access college credit courses in Flagstaff County and east central Alberta. From 2010 – 2014, this initiative is funded through the base case budget.
  • B1-2008: To ensure the MDP/LUB review reflects the “Environmental Responsibility” objective – Cost: $32,910
    A review of the MDP/LUB was completed.
  • B6-2008: Work with the East Central Alberta Cumulative Effects Project – Cost $5,000
    This provincial pilot project utilized scenario based planning and development issues to determine the long term cumulative effects on air, land and water. This data provides information which will enhance our decision process on planning matters.
  • C2-2008: Update inventory of businesses within Flagstaff County – Cost: $5,000
    A commercial/service directory has been initiated for all businesses within the urban and rural areas throughout the County. All business that have chosen to participate will have their information posted on the County’s website. This is an ongoing project that will be continuously updated to ensure relevancy.
  • C3-2008: Develop community profile and site selection information and post on website – Cost: $5,000
    A community information profile has been developed for Flagstaff County. The purpose of this information is to assist potential developers and new residents with baseline information that provides a general overview of the trade area, transportation, employment base, utilities, health care and education facilities. This information is available on our website and will be included for distribution in information packages.
  • A4-2008: Build on the success of the FIP Committee by creating an agreed upon charter that will guide and focus its operations – Cost: $10,000
    This project strengthened and enhanced the benefits of this cooperative committee by establishing principles and governance as well as strengthened the administrative role.
  • A1-2009: Develop a tank loading facility for water service delivery – Cost: $98,795
    Flagstaff County has developed a tank loader facility for the provision of water for agricultural purposes. The location for this year round facility is the SE 2-43-12 W4. With the addition of this loader, the total available facilities within the County will be six.
  • B9-2009: To work with the Towns and Villages and Waste Management to divert a percentage of traditional waste from the landfills – Cost: $75,189
    The Alberta Research Council concluded a feasibility study for the Flagstaff Regional Waste Management Facility. The purpose of this study was to investigate opportunities to divert waste materials from the Flagstaff Regional Solid Waste site for the intent on extending the life of the facility and to create economic and social benefits from municipal solid waste.
  • D1-2009: Heritage/Legacy Lands Policy – Cost: $60,092
    Heritage Collaborative was contracted to conduct a survey to document potential heritage sites within the County limits. The Flagstaff County Heritage Survey will assist in the preservation and protection of historic resources, encourage public interest in local history, and encourage the further conservation and designation of local heritage resources.
  • E1-2009: Conduct a comprehensive service level review – Cost: $47,386
    Beacon For Change Inc. was contracted to complete this project which was to analyze resources and ensure the organizational structure is aligned properly to accomplish strategic objectives identified in Council’s vision.
  • D8-2009: Engage in physician recruitment and retention initiatives – Cost: $11,815
    In 2009, Council donated $12,000 to Flagstaff Community Medical Recruitment and Retention Committee. This initiative has benefited the region as there is a new physician in Daysland as of February 2010 as well as a new physician in Killam as of April 2010. Physician recruitment is now funded through the annual base case budget.
  • D7-2009: Review recreation facilities and services offered in our communities – Cost: $38,966
    This review was completed in November of 2009 by Beacon For Change Inc. The recommendations in the report provide broad direction as to how programs, parks, leisure, and recreation facilities should be planned, developed, and supported. The report provides a guiding framework to assess fiscal and social factors and impacts in grant disbursement decision-making.