Regional Service Agreement Withdrawals – MD Smoky River
The Town of Falher Council has recently reviewed formal notice from the Municipal District of Smoky River No. 130 indicating their intent to potentially withdraw from several regional shared service agreements, including—but not limited to:
- Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)
- Local Libraries
- Falher Regional Pool
- Smoky River Economic Development
- Smoky River Transportation Program
- Smoky River Health Professional Attraction & Retention Committee
Read the letter here
The MD’s notice is procedural, meaning they have not yet withdrawn, but they are preserving the option to do so in response to ongoing financial challenges. According to their letter, the MD is currently carrying approximately $7.4 million in unpaid oil and gas taxes, which has impacted their ability to fund certain services.
We understand the financial pressures all municipalities are facing, the Town of Falher is deeply concerned about the potential loss or reduction of services that residents (both urban and rural) rely on. These decisions, if carried through, could lead to changes in how we operate regional services and may impact service levels in Falher.
Council will continue to evaluate the implications of these notices, and may need to revisit our own service levels, contributions, and delivery models depending on the outcome of the MD’s final decisions.
If you are a resident of the MD of Smoky River, and these services are important to you and your family, we strongly encourage you to reach out to your MD Council to make your voice heard. These programs benefit the region as a whole, and continued participation from all partners is key to maintaining their long-term sustainability.
What’s at Stake?
The services listed in the MD’s withdrawal notice include:
- Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)
- Falher Regional Pool
- Local Library Contributions
- Health Professional Attraction & Retention Committee
- Smoky River Economic Development
- Smoky River Transportation Program
These services are not luxuries—they are the foundation of our regional well-being, economic development, and quality of life.
FCSS: A Critical Example
The MD currently contributes nearly 50% of the funding to our region’s FCSS program, which is matched by the Province of Alberta. If the MD follows through on its withdrawal, both their local contribution and the associated provincial funding would be lost, creating a significant budget gap.
This would likely result in:
- Reduction or elimination of local programming
- Potential staff layoffs
- Service limitations or eligibility changes for residents
It also places staff in the difficult position of determining who can or cannot access help, undermining the universal spirit of the FCSS program.
Broader Regional Impact
The other programs named in the MD’s notice are equally important. Their withdrawal may require:
- Falher and other municipalities to absorb increased costs
- Scaling back or restructuring services
- Changes in how regional programming is governed or delivered
In some cases, these services may become unsustainable in their current form without MD participation.
What Comes Next?
Falher Council is actively reviewing each of these items and preparing for the possibility of service restructuring. However, it’s important to note: this situation is not a result of decisions made by the Town of Falher. These are downstream effects of the MD’s financial realities and their notice of intent.
Your Voice Matters
If you are a resident of the Municipal District of Smoky River, and you value any of the programs or services listed above, now is the time to reach out to your MD Councillors. These programs support families, seniors, children, and businesses across the region.
Your feedback could influence whether these decisions move forward—and could help preserve vital regional services that so many of us rely on.
