Sturgeon County says it is open to integrating fire services and Family and Community Support Services with Gibbons as the town undergoes a viability review. However, the county said it is not able to enter into a revenue-sharing model or to make transfer payments, citing provincial legislation, inter-municipal agreements, fiscal capacity, and overall transparency and fairness.
In a March 6 newsletter, the county outlined the support it has provided to Gibbons since the beginning of the year, when the financial crisis was brought to its attention, including the provision of about $415,000 through a cost-sharing agreement, which is part of a $2.1-million, five-year contract. The county is paying for a legal review to determine whether Gibbons can recoup some funds whose loss has severely affected its budget. The county also helped clear the town's roads after a recent snowfall.
County council learned more about the viability review at a meeting on March 10. The viability report is expected to be finished and presented in late May, and Gibbons residents will vote on dissolution as early as June, according to a presentation from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. The municipal affairs minister would then make a recommendation to cabinet on the town's fate. If Gibbons dissolves and becomes a hamlet within Sturgeon County, the county could receive $450,000 to integrate town governance, administration, and services. It could also receive up to $1.5 million to ensure critical infrastructure can continue operating during the transition. Gibbons will host a public information session about the viability review process at 7pm on March 11 at the Gibbons Cultural Centre.