TAMRMS#: B06
10.2
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Services and Service Levels Inventory - Annual Update
Presented by: Victoria Petrach, Strategic Business Advisor, Financial and Strategic Services
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
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1. That the updated Services and Service Levels Inventory provided as an attachment to the April 1, 2025, Agenda Report entitled “Services and Service Levels Inventory - Annual Update” be approved.
2. That the updated and approved Services and Service Levels Inventory replace the version currently attached to Council Policy C-FS-05 Budget and Taxation Guiding Principles Schedule 1 Services and Service Levels Inventory and be used as per policy.
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SUMMARY
The Services and Service Levels Inventory (Inventory) is maintained to ensure transparency and understanding of the City’s services and associated service levels provided to the community and to inform and enhance decision-making. The Inventory is updated annually to reflect changes made based on Council motions and/or during budget deliberations. The Inventory is used as a basis for the development of a proposed budget, with approximately 82% of the City’s budget allocated to the delivery of services to the community.
The purpose of this report is to provide an updated Services and Service Levels Inventory for Council’s approval before the commencement of the planning and budgeting cycle for 2026-2028.
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 ... c. 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.
c. Approve services and service levels, by resolution.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Services and Service Levels Inventory was created to enhance transparency and provide a clear understanding of the services and associated service levels that the community receives, representing approximately 82% of the City’s budget.
The Inventory provides details related to service delivery and optimization of programs and services, as documented in the CCG-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.
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 2024
The attached report, 2025 Services and Service Levels Inventory Summary of Changes, reflects changes Council made by motion in 2024 and during budget deliberations.
Additional adjustments were also identified through business planning.
The affected services are:
• A.1.2 Cultural Amenities
• B.1.2 Community Events Support
• B.7.1 Environmental Awareness
• B.7.3 Waste and Diversion Education
• C.1.2 Urban Forest Maintenance
• C.4.1 Solid Waste Collection
• F.1.1 Emergency Management
• G.1.5 Public Art Collection
• G.10.2 Corporate Performance
Administration will continue to mature this practice by developing performance measures for programs and services to help monitor the organizational performance related to the delivery of programs and services. This work is planned for future years.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
N/A
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
Currently, approximately 82 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. Any changes to external services and/or service levels require Council motion. There are five sub-services that have been added to the Inventory to more clearly reflect the current services the City provides to the community.
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
Not applicable.
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
Corporate Business Planning - Support alignment of the organization towards the strategic and long-term direction from the community, Council, and Executive Leadership. Facilitate the development of the Council’s Strategic Plan and steward the plan on behalf of Council. Steward the long-term planning model and the development of long-term plans.
Financial Planning - Stewardship of development of annual operating and capital budgets for Municipal and Utility operations. The approved operating and capital budgets shall serve as the financial plan for the City and provide Administration with the direction and resources necessary to accomplish Council’s strategic direction and Council approved services and service levels in accordance with the Services and Service Levels Inventory.
Performance Measurement - Facilitation of development of performance measures to assist the organization in measuring progress towards goals and results. Performance measurement is created in alignment with strategic, long-term and department business planning and results are used to inform potential program and service reviews.
Corporate Performance - The assessment of how well the City of St. Albert executes on its desired outcomes at strategic, corporate, program and department levels. This is done through the stewardship and implementation of a standardized framework for program and service reviews, business process improvement and performance measurement, as per Council Policy C-CAO-15 Program and Service Review and C-CG-06 City of St. Albert Strategic Framework.
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Not applicable.
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Report Date: April 1, 2025
Author(s): Victoria Petrach, Strategic Business Advisor
Department: Financial and Strategic Services
Department Director: Anne Victoor
Managing Director: Diane McMordie
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher