To dissolve, or not to dissolve?
That’s the question Village of Clyde councillors face following the release of the Village of Clyde Viability Plan and Next Steps Report — the final piece in the viability review process.
On Monday night Alberta Municipal Affairs, the author of the report, presented its findings to village residents and councillors at a special meeting held at Clyde Community Hall.
Without providing any clear-cut recommendations, the 24-page report outlines sustainable governance, administrative operations, financial stability, infrastructure and service delivery — what such things would look like if the village remained incorporated, or if it dissolved into Westlock County.
Municipal Affairs spokesperson Jerry Ward said after Monday’s meeting, the decision to dissolve or remain incorporated is in council’s hands.
“It’s up to the municipal council to decide which way they want to proceed,” Ward said.
“Whether it’s taking the recommendations of the viability review team, or if they want to have a vote of dissolution that would go to the people.”
Viability Review Team member and village Coun. Neil Olson said they’ll gauge public reaction at the meeting before coming to a decision.
“We’re just waiting to see how that meeting goes and how the public receives it,” Olson said. “That’s kind of where it stands.”
From there Ward said Municipal Affairs would help guide the municipality down the path of their choice.
“They would help the transition, whatever way they want to proceed,” Ward said.
To the village’s benefit, the report identifies the municipality’s lack of debt as a contributing factor towards viability, while infrastructure deficiencies and declining grant funding were outlined as areas of concern.
There is no set timeline on when council must come to a decision, however Ward said it would need to be within “a reasonable period of time.”
“They would probably have to back to discuss the issue and see which way they want to proceed and get the feeling of the community as to what the future holds for them,” he said.
Clyde’s viability review process dates back to January 2013 when residents came forward with a petition requesting a dissolution study. The Village of Clyde Viability Review Team was assembled in May 2013.
In November 2014 the viability review team’s Village of Clyde Initial Findings Report identified the village was trending towards non-viability.
