Lacombe County council agreed to end its Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework with the County of Stettler at its regular council meeting Sept. 24, determining that existing arrangements adequately provide services between the municipalities.

The decision follows a request from Stettler County, whose council passed a motion Sept. 9 supporting termination of the agreement. A letter dated Sept. 10 asked Lacombe County to take the same step.

The counties established the framework in February 2020. According to the report prepared by Lacombe County manager Tim Timmons, provincial legislation changed in 2025 to allow neighbouring municipal districts to forgo a framework by mutual agreement when services are adequately covered through other means.

The report said existing service agreements and regional arrangements would continue independently of the framework.

Most of the counties’ shared boundary follows Buffalo Lake and Highway 21, with only two miles involving a boundary road under municipal control.

Their shared water service involvement is through the Highway 12/21 Regional Water Services Commission, which has its own governance structure. Administration identified no other common water or wastewater service areas where a shared system would make economic sense.

Each county operates or participates in waste services within its own boundaries. Existing mutual aid agreements cover assistance with fire services and emergency response.

Buffalo Lake, their principal shared recreation interest, is addressed through the Buffalo Lake Intermunicipal Development Plan and a committee involving the five municipalities surrounding the lake.

Administration said the counties have historically handled shared matters through direct communication, existing agreements and ongoing co-operation.

Ending the framework removes the administrative work associated with maintaining and reviewing it.