Sturgeon County open to sharing some services with Gibbons
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.
