With the Village of Clyde’s viability review process now in the books following council’s decision to remain incorporated, for Westlock County it means Clyde won’t join them any time soon.
Reeve Bud Massey said the county was relieved to learn that village councillors had come to a decision at their May 16 meeting, bringing closure to the two-and-a-half year process.
“I’m pleased they made a decision and now we look forward to working with them and to help them as much as we can to make them be successful,” Massey said.
Aside from the village becoming a hamlet of the county, the reeve said he was unaware of any of the specifics should the village have joined the municipality.
“There would have been some different services and additional services to be provided,” he said. “Until it actually happened, until we saw everything, it would be difficult to say.”
Massey acknowledged there would be both benefits and drawbacks to the village coming on board with added population a benefit and service delivery changes among the drawbacks.
He said an infrastructure audit released in December 2015 revealing $9.1 million in outstanding infrastructure repairs was not a concern.
“We were prepared to work with them if they decide to join.”
However, the reeve maintained that the county held a neutral position throughout the process.
“In our mind, the decision was up to the people of Clyde,” said the reeve.
Although somewhat involved in the viability review process, for the most part providing information to Municipal Affairs was all that was required of the county.
“We were a bystander. It wasn’t anywhere near as onerous on us,” Massey said.
Looking into the future, Massey said if the village ever felt it should dissolve into the county, the door remains open.
“It would be up to them,” he said.
