Urban Update: August 14, 2017

Issue No. 17-17

Aug 14, 2017

Ready for Regionals?

The SUMA staff are gearing up for another tour across Saskatchewan for SUMA's 2017 Regional Meetings! These meetings are a perfect chance to learn, network, and discuss the hot topics and challenges within your region .

You'll hear from SUMA staff and Board, your peers, and a subject matter expert picked by your Regional Director. Check out the agenda for your region today to get the scoop on the meeting, and register to make sure you get to be in the room where it happens:

Registration deadline is September 18, 2017.

Make Your Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade a Success

Is there a wastewater upgrade project in your municipality's future? The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has an article series with practical tips to guide your project. Get specific, hands-on tips for the three key phases of a successful wastewater project:

Project scoping and stakeholder engagement
Project planning and design
Procurement, construction, and start up

From case studies and recorded webinars to project checklists, this is a great resource for a big project facing many SUMA members. Check out the article series today.

Show Off Your Municipality

Is your municipality doing something new, innovative, ahead of the curve...maybe even award worthy? Are you working with neighbouring municipalities? Take the time to celebrate the successes, innovations, and excellence in your municipality through a nomination for the Saskatchewan Municipal Awards . Nominations for these awards are open until September 8, 2017 .

Program Sponsor:

Long-Service Award Nominations

Do you know individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to outstanding service in the municipal field? Nominate them to be recognized for their contribution to the community with one of these awards, to be handed out during Convention 2018.

Meritorious Service Award: for Saskatchewan urban municipal employees who have served at least 20 years
Honorary Service Award: for urban elected officials who have served at least 20 years on council
Scoop Lewry Award: for elected officials, administrators, SUMA officials, and employees of the Ministry of Government Relations

Complete award nominations are due by October 4, 2017. No late submissions will be accepted.

For more information on all the awards that will be given out at Convention 2018, check out the awards page on our website.

Share Your Stories

As the voice of Saskatchewan's hometowns, SUMA is always looking for the stories of our members. We want to hear about your infrastructure challenges, your successes, your green projects, your legal cases, and your ideas for change.

Are your infrastructure challenges plain to see?

Help SUMA paint a clear picture on infrastructure while we advocate for you: Email us your pictures of aging, crumbling, or otherwise troubling infrastructure issues your municipality faces.

Do you have a success story about how your municipality is leading the way on green initiatives?

We are showing how members are leading the way on climate change on our website and in Urban Update. Email us your story so we can share it.

Has your community been in court or before a tribunal

lately?

You can help us spot new legal precedents and keep pace with municipal law trends, and help your fellow members build on your success or avoid risk. Share your court or tribunal decisions with us (regardless of outcome).

Is there an issue facing Saskatchewan hometowns you think SUMA should take on?

Members are welcome to submit resolutions all year, and it's not too early to get yours in for Convention 2018. Find out how you can prepare your resolution now.

New Online Home for PDAP

The Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) has a new home on the Government of Saskatchewan website. Information is now broken into two sections:

Municipalities and First Nations: How to designate and apply for funding
Residents and businesses: Accessing funding

Double check your bookmarks, and links on your website, as they may need to change with the new website addresses.

Do You Know a Deserving Volunteer?

Saskatchewan has the highest rate of volunteering in Canada, so chances are you know someone you could nominate for t he Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal.

You have until October 18, 2017 to show your appreciation for an outstanding volunteer with a nomination. Get all the details, including the nomination criteria and process, on the Government of Saskatchewan website.

In This Issue

Registration Open for Regional Meetings

Articles on Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades

Saskatchewan Municipal Awards

Convention Award Nominations

Share Your Story with SUMA

New PDAP Website Address

Volunteer Medals

Save with SUMAdvantage: Credit and Debit Machines

Classifieds

Grants

Credit Card Fees Falling with First Data

It's no surprise that credit and debit card merchant fees were on the rise for municipalities, but with the demand for the convenience these machines offer, our members often felt they had no choice.

Thanks to our partnership with First Data, your municipality can fight those increasing fees. SUMA has negotiated even lower fees with First Data specifically for our members.

Effective August 1, 2017, Visa and MasterCard rates dropped from 1.59 per cent to 1.45 per cent per transaction. SUMA members will also continue to receive the highly competitive Interac debit rate of $0.04 per transaction.

For more information and a free analysis contact our new representative, Colin Smith , at 204-479-2997.

Visit SUMAdvantage online for a complete list of member programs or email Lisa Rawlings at SUMA with any questions.