The Municipal Corporate Review of the Town of Athabasca is underway.
Two advisors from Municipal Affairs were in town last Monday and Tuesday.
“A Municipal Corporate Review is a service that Municipal Affairs provides to municipalities upon request,” municipal advisor Tony Sykora said. “We talk with (the town) about how municipal operations are going and we do a high-level view of policies, bylaws and office operations.”
The two advisors then report back to municipal affairs.
“We go back and write a report, and we provide council with some recommendations. We also take a look at the operations. We commend them for the things they do well.”
Town council requested the review in June following a series of contentious council meetings, including one that was cancelled after councillors failed to agree on an agenda.
When asked about how they thought last Tuesday’s regular town council meeting went, Sykora said it was positive.
“I think there was lively debate,” he said. “I was certainly impressed with the detail that councillors pay attention to. They certainly, from my point of view, made an attempt to stick to the subject at hand.”
A review is a positive process, according to Sykora. “Many municipalities do ask for a (review), and often when they experience new administrators or experience some change in the municipality,” he explained. “It is an opportunity for the staff at municipal affairs to provide council with a snapshot of what goes on at the time.”
Sykora said their report could be released as early as February. “It’s up to council as to how they wish to deal with that particular report.”
