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Preliminary review of town underway

The province’s preliminary review into the Town of Athabasca’s affairs is underway, with meetings scheduled with councillors and administration July 19-20.
A Municipal Affairs representative has scheduled meetings with Town of Athabasca councillors and administration July 19-20.
A Municipal Affairs representative has scheduled meetings with Town of Athabasca councillors and administration July 19-20.

The province’s preliminary review into the Town of Athabasca’s affairs is underway, with meetings scheduled with councillors and administration July 19-20.

Municipal Affairs received a petition in April signed by town residents to launch an inquiry into the Town of Athabasca. Deeming it sufficient in May with 832 valid names, the ministry decided to move forward with the preliminary review.

According to Municipal Affairs public affairs officer Jerry Ward, the preliminary review may be conducted as a first response to petitions or requests for municipal inquiries.

Ward said in an email that two staff members from the ministry will conduct the preliminary review in three phases.

The first step includes Municipal Affairs staff conducting initial research on a selection of municipal financial indicators, performance on municipal sustainability key measures, recent election history and other related items.

The second phase will include on-site interviews with councillors, key administrative officials and the petitioners’ representative, Lionel Cherniwchan.

“We’ve scheduled meetings to meet with Municipal Affairs July 19 and 20,” town CAO Josh Pyrcz said.

Finally, a summary report of findings will be submitted to the minister of Municipal Affairs.

“Ministry staff are working with town administration and the petition representative to complete phase 2 in July,” Ward said. “A summary of the information will be completed for the minister before September.”

He said the minister may then proceed with an inquiry or inspection, initiate a viability review, offer a Municipal Corporate Review, offer various educational programs or supports to council and administration, or recommend no further action be taken.

Ward said there is no legislated timeline for the minister to make a decision.

“There is no timeline because the minister doesn’t have to do anything after the preliminary review,” Pyrcz said.

The Advocate reached out to Cherniwchan, but did not receive a response before deadline.

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