DIDSBURY - The Town of Didsbury's council has rescinded a motion calling for a Municipal Affairs inspection of the council governance and operations of the municipality put forward by Coun. Dorothy Moore in February.
The motion to rescind the original motion came following an in-camera session during the March 26 council meeting with councillors Moore and John Baswick voting against, and mayor Rhonda Hunter, deputy mayor Curt Engel and councillor Bill Windsor voting in favour.
The motion was carried without comment from any councillors or the mayor.
On Feb. 25 council carried a motion put forward by councillor Moore reading: “The Town of Didsbury council request a municipal inspection of the council governance and operations of the Town of Didsbury and send the approved letter from council.”
At the time council declined to provide the Albertan any information on why the inspection was being requested.
The motion calling for the inspection came one day after a special council meeting in which council was divided in its vote to accept the resignation of the town’s chief administrative officer.
During the March 26 meeting, council received a one-page information sheet prepared by administration regarding a possible municipal inspection of the municipality.
Council had requested the information by way of motion at the March 11 council meeting.
“The cost (of an inspection) typically ranges from $75,000 to $100,000,” the information sheet reads. “Under the cost allocation policy for municipal inspections, municipalities with annual revenues of over $3 million pay 100 per cent of the cost of the inspection. The Town of Didsbury has an average annual revenues of approximately $13.5 million.”
Regarding possible timelines, the note states that, “An inspection typically takes between six and 12 months to complete and can be as long as 18 months. If a letter is sent from council, there would be an initial phase in which the minister determines whether or not to call an inspection.
“If an inspection is called it would begin with a preliminary review, followed by the inspection, if ordered by the minister.
“Given that there is an upcoming municipal election (in October 2025), it may or may not play into the decision of the minister. However if an inspection is ordered it is highly unlikely to be completed prior to the municipal election.”
Following the in-camera session and the vote to rescind the motion calling for the inspection, council unanimously passed a second motion, put forward by deputy mayor Engel.
That motion reads: “That council commits to review current governance practices, roles and responsibilities internally.”
Editor's note: This article has been updated from the original to correct who voted in favour of the motion to review current governance practices, roles and responsibilities internally. The vote was unanimous.
Mayor Hunter, Engel and Coun. Windsor voted in favour, with councillors Moore and Baswick voting against.
