Friday, November 11, 2016

IN THE NEWS
County Survey  The County is currently conducting a survey to gather resident opinions on future financial considerations.  There are three questions on the survey:
  • What enhancements would you like to see in services over the next 3 years?
  • What reductions would you like to see in services over the next 3 years?
  • What additional capital priorities would you like addressed over the next 3 years?
We strongly encourage everyone to check our CCTA information page in the November 2 edition of the Western Star and then PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY.  COPIES OF THE SURVEY ARE AVAILABLE AT THE COUNTY OFFICE OR ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE AT CLEARWATERCOUNTY.CA.

County Municipal Inspection  A preliminary review was held on October 18.  At that time a team of three interviewers from Municipal Affairs spoke with each of the councillors and the CAO, Ron Leaf, in an effort to gather information on county procedures and operation.  The interview team will then submit a report of their findings to the Minister of Municipal Affairs.  From there the Minister will determine if a full scale review is necessary.  That decision is expected in December.

Waste Authority Review   Results of the town of Rocky’s Municipal Inspection Report released on Tuesday, November 1 stated, “Documents were provided to the inspectors that give a strong indication of inefficiencies and operational concerns in this organization.”(referring to the Regional Waste Authority.)  The report went on to recommend “that a detailed independent review of the management and operations be conducted…”. That did take place and the results were printed in The Mountaineer on October 18.  This report stated that there had been a 365% increase in requisitions (request for money) in the last 5 years and that “the authority has been operated as an independent business with insufficient oversight from the elected board.” The Rocky Mountain Regional Solid Waste Authority is an independently operated service governed by a board made up of three county councillors, two town councillors, and one village of Caroline councillor.This is a very serious matter as county, town, and village taxpayer dollars are funding this inefficient operation and it must be addressed “head on” by the Board of Directors. 

Strike Three  This is the third (and final) chart in a series featuring information on county finances.  This month we focus on the CAO (Chief Administrative Officer) remuneration.
CLEARWATER COUNTY CAO SALARY 2011-2015

Year 
Salary
Benefits
Total 
Increase 
% Increase
2011
$166, 431
$27, 709
$194, 140


2012
$191, 310
$30, 847
$222, 157
$28, 017
14.4%
2013
$200, 431
$50, 302
$250, 733
$28, 576
12.8%
2014
$208, 257
$55, 261
$263, 519
$12, 786
5.1%
2015
$233, 190
$49, 708
$282, 898
$19, 379
7.4%


Note:  Total compensation increase from 2011 to 2015 = $88, 758  
            Total compensation % increase, 2011 to 2015 = 45.7%

CAO SALARY AND BENEFITS COMPARISON/RANKINGS FOR 2015

Ranking
Jurisdiction       
 Salary
Benefits 
Total Payment
1.
Yellowhead County
$258, 486
$40, 270
$298, 756
2.
 Leduc County
$286, 056
$11, 884
$297, 940
3. 
Lacombe County
$249, 782
$44, 441
$294, 223
4.
Sturgeon County
$237, 566
$49, 072
$286, 639
5.
Red Deer County
$250, 504
$32, 932
$283, 436
6.
Clearwater County 
$233, 190
$49, 708
$282, 898
7.
Rocky View County
$235, 041
$43, 985
$279, 026
8.
County of Gr. Prairie
$234, 705
$44, 050
$278, 755
9.
Brazeau County
$199, 777
$49, 069
$248, 846
10.
Wetaskiwin County 
$226, 806
$15, 825
$242, 631
11.
Parkland County
$200, 395
$41, 842
$242, 237
12.
MD of Bonneyville
$190, 833
$46, 274
$237, 107
13.
Lethbridge County
$190, 350
$45, 250
$235, 600
14.
Mountain View County
$175, 744
$37, 936
$213, 681
15.  
MD of Foothills
$201, 478
$7, 458
$208, 936
16.
Ponoka County
$180, 250
$28, 164
$208, 414
17.
County of Lac St. Anne
$165, 216
$32, 663
$197, 879
Average

$218, 599
$36, 519
$255, 118



Notes
  1. The jurisdictions used all have populations over 10,000 according to Wikipedia figures except for Brazeau and Ponoka Counties.  They were included because they neighbor Clearwater County.  Clearwater County’s population is 12, 278.
  2. All salary and benefit figures were taken from the 2015 Audited Financial Statements of each jurisdiction.
  3. Clearwater County’s CAO has the highest benefit package of all jursidictions. 

ROSES   This month we send out a huge bouquet of roses to Dale Shippelt for his dedicated effort in spear-heading the petition that resulted in the Municipal Inspection of the town of Rocky.  Thanks to Dale’s efforts the significant operational concerns of the Waste Authority have come to light, an issue that has distinct implications on our tax dollars.  We recognize and appreciate your efforts, Dale, as they may, hopefully, lead to managerial improvements and from there to a potential cost saving for all taxpayers funding the Waste Authority.

RANT   This month’s Rant focusses on the rather damming inspection reports of the Rocky Mountain Regional Solid Waste Authority. Both the independent review and the Municipal Inspection indicated very serious concerns with the operation of this jointly governed service.  This brings to mind several questions:  Who is at fault?? Is it a managerial problem or a board problem??  Who is not doing the job properly?? Who is not accepting responsibility for the noted inadequacies??  Moving on, we trust that there will be a complete turn around in the operations of this organization with a goal of providing taxpayers with the cost effective, PRACTICAL service we deserve.

COMING EVENTS
  • ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING--- Thursday, November 10, 2016, 7:00PM, Leslieville Elks’ Hall.  Guest speaker, our MLA Jason Nixon, speaking on the proposed Carbon Tax and other current Legislature issues.
  • Regular monthly meeting, January 12, 2017, 7:00PM, Leslieville Elks’ Hall


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