Whereas Section 82 of the Local Government Act prohibits an employee of a municipality or regional district from being nominated for or elected to the municipal council or regional board by which they are employed unless they take a leave of absence for the period for which they intend to serve in elected office; And whereas there are no provincial regulations prohibiting an employee of an improvement district from being nominated for or elected to the board of an improvement district by which they are employed: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the provincial government to amend the Local Government Act to align improvement district regulations with regulations governing other local government bodies by restricting employees of an improvement district from being nominated for or elected to the board of their improvement district employer.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs Housing When improvement districts were first created, they had a strong volunteer component and the line between decision makers and staff was less clear. Over time, improvement district administration has become more sophisticated with clearer lines being established between Board trustees and staff. For example, each improvement district must establish corporate and financial administration positions. At the same time, there remain many small improvement districts throughout the province which rely on part time, temporary or volunteer assistance. When legislation does not address specific improvement district circumstances, best practices and policies are used to guide Board trustees and staff in the running of the improvement district. At this time, the is not changing improvement district, however an improvement district can create a policy prohibiting employees of the improvement district from being nominated for or elected to the board by which they are employed. The Improvement District Trustees Handbook gives guidance on the steps involved in putting together policies, and Ministry staff are also available to give guidance to improvement districts on policy making procedures.