The City of Cold Lake will be supporting the MD of Bonnyville's pitch for the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) Municipal Energy Manager Program.
The MD reached out to the City of Cold Lake, Town of Bonnyville, and Village of Glendon about collaborating for the grant, which would cover 80 per cent of the costs to hire an energy efficiency manager. The program will pay a maximum of $80,000 per year.
“It provides up to two years of funding for municipalities to hire an energy manager. This person would conduct energy audits for facilities and fleets, with the ultimate goal of (reducing) greenhouse gas emissions and cost savings,” Cold Lake's general manager of strategic initiatives, Andrew Serba, detailed.
While the city and village agreed to the collaboration, the town turned down the request.
“If successful (with the application), the MD is willing to be the lead municipality and host the position, because there have been some concerns with operation grants in the past in terms of the expectations it can create,” explained Serba.
With 80 per cent of the salary covered by the MCCAC program, the three municipalities would be responsible for splitting the remaining 20 per cent.
If the group decided to calculate the cost on a per capita basis, the city would be responsible for $22,000, while the MD would pick up $17,200, leaving the village with the last $800.
“In this case, administration is recommending a firm timeline and maximum contribution be included,” Serba expressed, adding their suggestion is a two-year deadline and up to $22,000 for both years.
CAO Kevin Nagoya noted the MCCAC program won't accept applications for contract positions.
According to Nagoya, the energy efficiency manager must be on the municipality's payroll in order to qualify.
With this in mind, the MD is "trying to seek the opportunity to have a term position."
He added, “Until that’s figured out, there are still a few pieces to come together before it’s approved."
The grant is on a first-come first-serve basis, so long as municipalities meet the requirements of the MCCAC.
“This program does promote joint bids, especially between rural municipalities,” said Serba.
During the vote to join the MD in their application, Coun. Bob Buckle and Coun. Vicky Lefebvre were against the motion.
Buckle said, “It’s a make work project. I think we have better things to spend $22,000 on, but that’s just me.”
