Westlock News

The new Fawcett Fire Hall has been beleaguered with problems from its design to the tendering phase, the province’s municipal inspection report says. Strategic Steps Inc.

The bad behaviour of Westlock County councillors and administration reported over the last several years has infected office culture, according to the 116-page municipal inspection report.

Municipal inspectors took a closer look at the Tawatinaw ski hill and lease agreement and uncovered issues with offers to sell the land below market value, sole-source contracting and a councillor’s possible pecuniary interest.

Weak leadership from Westlock County council and administration on the Horizon North deal created an environment ripe for chaos, according to the findings contained in the municipal inspection report released Aug. 30 by Municipal Affairs.

Alberta’s Minister of Children’s Services saw first-hand Sept. 5 how the Westlock Child Care Society has benefitted from the $25-dollar-a-day grant program at the Westlock Community Daycare.

The municipal inspection report released by Municipal Affairs Aug. 30 put Westlock County under the microscope, but councillors weren’t the only ones under scrutiny.

The results are out. Municipal Affairs released Westlock County’s municipal inspection report last Wednesday and now the county faces a looming Nov. 28 deadline to address the report’s 27 recommendations.

The municipal inspection report is a mixed bag for Westlock County councillors, with some calling it scathing and others said it unfairly faults them.

Disrespectful and demeaning behaviour, unauthorized transactions and weak organizational leadership were just some of Westlock County’s issues identified in the 116-page municipal inspection report released Aug. 30.

Transitional Solutions Inc. (TSI) has released the Westlock Collaboration Study that highlights opportunities for the area’s three municipalities to work together.