2007 Municipal Administrators Survey

2010 Municipal Administrators Survey Response

2010 Municipal Administrators Survey

Alberta Municipal Affairs

Local Government Services

Response Plan - September 2010

Introduction

Resinnova was contracted to conduct the Local Government Services 2010 Municipal Administrators Survey. Chief administrative officers (CAOs) across the province were contacted in February and Marchto complete the formal survey. Data from the surveyand general comments from the survey respondents were combined into a final report received by Municipal Affairs in May 2010.

Municipal Affairs values the input provided by CAOs, and the following planoutlines the main themes identified through the survey and describes current initiatives by Municipal Affairs to respond to those areas.

Survey

In 2001, Alberta Municipal Affairs undertook the first Municipal Administrators survey as a means of obtaining information to aid in improving the effectiveness of local government administration in the province by collecting information about:

the training and human resource planning needs of Alberta CAOs; and
feedback on ministry services, resources and programs.

The Municipal Administrators survey has been conducted every three years since 2001. The 2010 survey was the fourth survey to be undertaken.

Main Themes

Municipal Affairs' response plan focuses on the following three key themes flowing from the 2010 survey: municipal staffing and turnover in CAO positions; training and advice; and technology and information sources.

1.Staffing

Approximately 40 per cent of CAOs have been in the position for less than four years, and approximately 50 per cent of the current CAOs plan to leave the profession in six years or less, but only 13 per cent of municipalities have formal succession plans.

Municipal Affairs will continue to offer support to CAOs in the form of:

-On-site visits for new CAOs;

-Municipal advisory services;

-Workshops and training;

-Timely information bulletins;

-Continued work on the electronic version of the Municipal Resource Handbook and on-line publications;

-Work on the development and implementation of a Municipal Corporate Review program; and

-Work on the development of capacity building tools, through the Municipal Sustainability Strategy.

To assist municipalities in recruiting, training and retaining competent municipal employees who can progress into leadership positions, Municipal Affairs will:

-continue to promote, support and offer the internship programs in the administration and the planner streams, and

-review positions that municipalities have difficulty in recruiting to explore opportunities to expand the internship streams, similar to the steps taken that resulted in the planner stream of the program.

2.Training and Advice

Approximately two thirds of respondents had taken Municipal Affairs' workshops within the past three years. In light of this excellent participation rate,workshops and training sessions will continue to be offered either directly by the ministry, or through partnership opportunities. The survey results also provided information on priority training areas and training needs.

Recognizing the value and importance of training offered through the ministry, Municipal Affairs will initiate the development of a strategic plan to ensure the training needs and priorities of CAOs are addressed. The ministry will continue to work with administrative associations in exploring training or workshop opportunities.

When dealing with time-sensitive issues, administrators rely heavily on peers for advice,as well as advisors at Municipal Affairs. In addition to providing advisory support services, the ministry will continue to support the Peer Network and review this partnership to ensure it continues to be effective and meet the needs of participants.

3.Technology and Information

Over 90 per cent of the survey respondents access the Alberta Municipal Affairs web site and have indicated that not only can the information required be found, but that it is also of use for their municipality. On a separate but related note, approximately two thirds of the CAOs use email as a regular means of communicating.

Given the significant reliance on the internet as a convenient source of information, the ministry will:

-monitor the website to ensure information is current, relevant and easy to navigate;

-establish and maintain a bylaws and policies library;

-continue to highlight important dates or information; and

-continue to update the “Who Knows” directory on the ministry web site found on

The ministry will also investigate other effective internet communications and services. Such options could include use of social networking sites such as Facebook, or alternatives for training over the internet such as ‘webinars’.

The ministry has started to use video conferencing technology as a cost effective and efficient method of communicating with stakeholders. Currently 38 per cent of municipalities use video conferencing technology.

For more information on these or any other initiatives, programs and services offered by Municipal Affairs, call toll free by dialing 310-0000, then enter 780-427-2225. Or visit the ministry’s website at .

Final reports for all municipal administrator surveys can be viewed at