TAMRMS#: B06
10.3
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Service Level Inventory Annual Update
Presented by: Nicole Duley, Manager, Strategic Services, and Danielle Littlefair, Strategic Business Advisor
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
1. That the Service Level Inventory provided as an attachment to the May 5, 2026 Agenda Report entitled “Service Level Inventory Annual Update” be approved and replace the Appendix to Council Policy C-FS-05 Budget and Taxation Guiding Principles.
2. That the amended versions of Council Policy C-FS-05 Budget and Taxation Guiding Principles and Council Policy C-CAO-15 Program and Service Review, both attached to the May 5, 2026 agenda report entitled “Service Level Inventory Annual Update”, be approved.
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Summary
This report provides an update to the City’s Service Level Inventory (SLI), presents minor language updates in Council Policy C-FS-05 and C-CA0-15, and presents Council with a three-year program and service review plan as information.
The Service Level Inventory (SLI) includes all external City services and is maintained to ensure transparency and foster a shared understanding of City services and the levels of service provided. This report brings forward the annual update required to implement changes from carried Council motion from the previous year. Minor language changes have also been provided in Council Policy C-FS-05 Budget and Taxation Guiding Principles and Council Policy C-CAO-15 Program and Service Review, to simplify the name of the SLI in policy.
Additionally, the three‑year service review plan is attached to illustrate the services scheduled for review, which may inform future updates to the SLI.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
Council Policy C-CG-06 City of St. Albert Strategic Framework
Responsibilities
Council plays a key role in setting the long-term direction for community by
• approving the Services and Service Levels Inventory (C-FS-05) and Budget.
Council Policy C-FS-05 Budget and Taxation Guiding Principles
10. Base Budget
The Services and Service Levels Inventory as attached to this policy shall serve as the basis for the development of the proposed budget. Council shall review the Services and Service Levels Inventory annually and make any amendments to services and service levels before the development of the proposed budget for the year in which the amendments are to be implemented.
Council Policy C-CAO-15 Program and Service Review
Responsibilities - City Council Shall:
a. Annually review the Services and Service Levels Inventory and identify priorities for the review of external programs, services and service levels, at a time appropriate for inclusion into the business planning and budget process.
b. Provide sufficient resources to support all Council-approved reviews.
c. Provide support and funding for implementation of Council approved reviews and subsequent recommendations through the budget process.
d. Approve services and service levels, by resolution.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The SLI was created to enhance transparency and provide a clear understanding of the services and associated service levels that the community receives.
The SLI provides details related to service delivery and optimization of programs and services, as documented in the C-CG-06 Strategic Framework Policy and C-CAO-15 Program and Service Review Policy. The Inventory is also used as a basis for the development of the proposed budget as per C-CF-05 Budget and Taxation Guiding Principles Policy, to maintain Council-approved services and service levels. It serves as a foundational reference for developing the proposed budget, with approximately 81% of the City’s budget dedicated to delivering services to the community.
Changes to services and service levels are presented to Council for approval by resolution as per Council Policy C-CAO-15 Program and Service Review. Council can also make changes to services and/or service levels by motion or during budget deliberations.
Updates from 2025
The 2026 Service Level Inventory Summary of Changes (attached), reflects proposed changes to service levels due to Council motions, as well as updates to correct outdated terminology, where required.
The affected sub-services are:
• A.1.5.e Park Amenities
• B.1.1.g Flag Display and Commemorative Lighting
• B.1.1.h Seniors and Elders Service Awards
• B.4.2.c Investment and Development Facilitation
• F.4.2.a Intersection Safety Device Enforcement
• F.4.2.b Mobile Enforcement Officer
Minor Policy Language Changes
The attached versions of Council Policy C-CAO-15 Program and Service Review and Council Policy C-FS-05 Budget and Guiding Principles, to which the SLI is appended, has been updated to reflect commonly used language related to the SLI. These changes do not alter the purpose or intent of the SLI but simply shorten its name from “Services and Service Levels Inventory” to “Service Level Inventory”. The SLI has also been renamed with this simplified name for consistency.
As other Council Policies are brought forward, Administration will bring forward these updates to bring language used in those policies in alignment with this change.
Multi-Year Program and Service Review Workplan
As per policy, a multi-year workplan is maintained to help manage program and service reviews undertaken by Administration. These reviews are in addition to audits and reviews conducted through the Internal Audit Steering Committee. This workplan was previously reviewed by City Council at the Strategic Planning session held in February 2026 and is provided as an attachment to this report as information.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
N/A
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
Currently, approximately 81 percent of the City’s budget is allocated to the delivery of Council-approved services and associated service levels, as documented in this Inventory. Changes presented do not require any additional budget.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
The Inventory outlines the current Council-approved services and service levels that are delivered to the community. The proposed updates are intended to enhance transparency by removing references to rescinded bylaws and organizations and accurately capture service levels impacted by changes to provincial legislation or Council motions.
Organizational:
People resources are aligned to the delivery of Council approved services and service levels. Any additions to services delivered and/or associated service levels may require re-allocation of resources and/or additional resources.
Risks:
Not applicable.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Initiative aligned with Strategic Plan:
Not Applicable
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
Conducting annual SLI updates supports internal service delivery related to corporate business planning, financial planning, and performance measurement by clearly defining our service commitments and supporting the alignment of funding, service delivery measurement, and opportunities to enhance services with those commitments.
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
None at this time.
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Report Date: May 5, 2026
Author(s): Nicole Duley and Danielle Littlefair
Department: Financial and Strategic Services
Department Director: Anne Victoor
Managing Director: Diane McMordie
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher