Cost savings seen with new charters

Alberta’s move to give its two biggest cities more flexibility took a step forward this week as city charters took effect in Edmonton and Calgary.

It’s the first phase of a new deal sought for years by municipal leaders in the two major metropolitan areas. The charters craft some distinct rules for Alberta’s two largest local governments, which until now worked under the same rules as the smallest town.

The regulations were approved by the NDP cabinet this week. “We see it as an opportunity to use these new powers to deliver services more efficiently to our citizens, as well as drive prosperity and growth over time,” Mayor Don Iveson said Friday at a City Hall news conference with Municipal Affairs Minister Shaye Anderson.

The first piece of the new charter should allow Edmonton to find ways to save money and offer better service to citizens, Iveson said.

The delivery of property tax assessments is one example. Until now, provincial rules prescribed that municipalities had to mail hard copies of the annual statements. The big city charter means email is now an option, potentially generating big savings in postal expenses, Iveson said.

Other changes include the ability for cities to create ticket tribunals to deal with parking and transit infractions and the power to create variable speed limit zones. But there are obligations, too. Edmonton, for example, must create a municipal climate change adaptation plan under the terms of the charter.