Village debates dissolution

Village of Kinuso Mayor Darcy Hunt opposes dissolution but is willing to discuss it since it was requested by a taxpayer.

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

The Village of Kinuso has taken the first step toward possible dissolution. Mayor Darcy Hunt wrote Alberta Municipal Affairs, local government services division, Sept. 17 after village council passed a motion ordering so Sept. 16. “ ... on behalf of village taxpayers, that the minister cause a dissolution study to be conducted ... this study be conducted as quickly as possible due to pending staff retirement/resignation issues.” Hunt, who says he is not in favour of dissolution, agrees the study is necessary for problems cited in the letter and because a taxpayer requested. “One of our taxpayers brought in a paper to do a study,” says Hunt. “If a taxpayer brings it to you, you do it.” Hunt doesn’t favour dissolving because he loves his community and wants to maintain its independent political status. “We’ve been here this long,” says Hunt. “If you give it up you’ll never get it back. If you give up to the big wheel, pretty soon you’ll be one of the cogs.” The problem is, staff is being affected by the resignation of Karen Tanghe next January and retirement of Carolyn Uhrig. Hunt says staff, especially in administrative positions, is very difficult to replace. Hunt says the study will help the village see its long-term picture. “It will give us the best look for the long range for the taxpayer,” says Hunt. A public meeting will be held in the next few months to give citizens a chance to provide input. Municipal Affairs staff will attend to present the study and answer questions. The M.D. of Big Lakes received a copy of Hunt’s letter to Municipal Affairs at its Sept. 24 meeting. They received it for information. Kinuso was incorporated as a village in 1949. The current step by council is not the first time the village has considered dissolving. A similar process occurred in 1996. A study was conducted with a public meeting held July 23. The consensus of citizens at the time was they were willing to pay higher taxes to avoid dissolving. Village council met Oct. 21 and declined to dissolve. If the village does dissolve, they would become part of the M.D. of Big Lakes.

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