The GVRD Partnership

GVRD Board Orientation Overview The GVRD is a partnership of 21 municipalities and one electoral area that delivers regional services to 2 million residents of the metropolitan area

GVRD Board Orientation Key Responsibilities regional strategic growth management planning regional water supply and distribution regional liquid waste collection and treatment regional solid waste management regional parks affordable rental housing regional air quality management labour relations for 14,000 municipal employees

GVRD Board Orientation Organizational Structure - Reality Single administration for legal entities, (GVRD, GVS&DD, GVWD) subsidiaries and affiliates (GVHC, LRB) Close working relationship with sister transportation organization (GVTA) based upon legal, political, financial, and administrative interdependencies

GVRD Board Orientation Organizational Structure - Context The GVRD system tries to combine regional economies of scale with maximum local autonomy More formal two-tiered regional governments are being replaced by unicities in other parts of Canada Our best defence against amalgamation is to make the GVRD work as a partnership

GVRD Board Orientation The GVRD as a Working Partnership Historical Pattern for Each Function Two or more municipalities decide their interests are best served by cooperation They create an entity to enable them to do that They request enabling legislation from the Province Other municipalities join as and when they consider it advantageous

GVRD Board Orientation The GVRD as a Working Partnership - Principles One non-hierarchical system of local government Municipal partner’s role is to deliver services directly to the public; the GVRD’s role is to provide services that enables them to do this job better The interests of individual partners will prevail over everything except the collective interest of the partners Resolve issues through consensus and avoid surprises and destructive conflict

GVRD Board Orientation The GVRD as a Working Partnership - Mechanics Board decisions are taken only after public consultation and municipal review Municipal staff involvement through active committees - RAAC (managers), REAC (engineers), RFAC (treasurers), TAC (planners), and direct dialogue with specific municipalities on specific issues Council of Councils meetings provide opportunity for dialogue and direction-setting

GVRD PARTNERSHIP GVRD Board Orientation ADVISORY COMMITTEES GVRD STAFF GVRD COMMITTEES GVRD BOARD MUNICIPALITIES Council MUNICIPAL STAFF

GVRD Board Orientation The GVRD as a Working Partnership - Finance All members benefit from joint borrowing on collective credit There is only one taxpayer and he/she expects us to keep costs down and balance priorities - regional and local; social, economic and environmental

GVRD Board Orientation What We Do Cost-effective utilities: Water, Sewerage and Drainage, Solid Waste Where we live, work and play (and how we get about) Environmental stewardship

GVRD Board Orientation Cost-effective Utilities GVRD is wholesaler; members are retailers GVRD delivery is by a combination of directly-provided services (e.g. wastewater treatment operations) and contracts (e.g. Incinerator)

GVRD Board Orientation Work in Progress - Utilities Liquid Waste Management Plan Watershed Management Plan Drinking Water Improvement Program Water Conservation and Harrison Lake Studies Continuous Operations and Maintenance Improvements

GVRD Board Orientation Where We Live, Work, Play (and How We Get About) GVRD has strategic planning responsibilities under Growth Management Act GVTA strategic plan has to serve objectives established by GVRD in the Livable Region Strategic Plan and for economic development

GVRD Board Orientation Work in Progress - Where We Live, Work, Play (and How We Get About) Housing affordability Greenways and outdoor recreation Cultural Strategic Plan Support to private sector (GVEP) Strategic Transportation Plan (short-term)

GVRD Board Orientation Environmental Stewardship Manage the GVRD’s direct impact on the ecosystem and key resources - air, land, water Manage regional growth for sustainability objectives, bringing economic, environmental and social development into a sustainable balance

GVRD Board Orientation Work in Progress - Environmental Stewardship Air Quality 2000 and Air Quality Management Plan Watershed Management Plan Liquid Waste Management Plan Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve Parks acquisition and partnership programs Demand-side management programs

GVRD Board Orientation Fundamental Needs Need for clear accountability –Transparent and consultative decision making –Need for performance measures and reporting Need for cost effectiveness Need for fiscal constraints Need to respond to changing roles Need to recognize the complexities of regional governance

GVRD Board Orientation Program Planning and Budget Process Public Values Financial Goals/Strategies Program Planning Budget Accountability Regional Goals/Strategies Organizational Goals/Strategies

GVRD Board Orientation 2000 Budget Key Drivers Affordability targets and capital cap Drinking Water Treatment Program Maintenance of Sewer Collection Systems and Plants Pay-as-you-go