More than 50 people logged onto their devices, asking questions ranging from the financial implications of amalgamation to why the Towns aren’t holding a referendum during two virtual information sessions on July 22.
Councillors and senior administrators in Black Diamond and Turner Valley hosted the meetings to present financial and other logistical details from the Joint Friendship Agreement Committee’s amalgamation review findings in the event the two councils agree to merge the towns.
Those in attendance were encouraged to ask questions in a chat window following the presentation.
“It was great to have people participate and ask questions that they thought were valid,” said Turner Valley Mayor Barry Crane following the meetings. “We found that there were very few new questions. All of the questions and answers could be wrapped up in the frequently asked questions document that we have posted on our website.”
The Towns submitted a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs last fall with their intention to formally enter into amalgamation negotiations.
If the councils vote to proceed, in a vote that's expected to occur in late August or early September, a report and application for amalgamation will be submitted to the minister in mid-September.
Attendees at both sessions asked a range of questions including whether debts will be combined, if addresses will change and what staffing cuts will be made if amalgamation occurs.
In response to the question about potential address changes, Black Diamond Mayor Ruth Goodwin said Canada Post informed administration there will be no changes to mailing addresses unless the new municipality requests it.
However, she said changes must be made on passports – involving crossing out the previous town name and replacing it with ‘Diamond Valley,’ the name selected by more than 700 residents earlier this summer.
Black Diamond chief administrative officer Sharlene Brown said administration is working with the federal and provincial governments to offset costs for required address changes.
“Land titles will be changing with the new municipal name and the provincial government suggested they will cover those particular costs,” she said. “We are working with other government departments with the cost of changing addresses.”
Goodwin told attendees that both Towns are in good financial position and have similar revenue sources, operating costs, fees and tax rates.
If amalgamation occurs, Town staff will remain with the exception of one chief administrative officer, she said, with savings from that position, one less council and redundant operational costs estimated at about $370,000 annually.
In addition, the newly amalgamated community would be eligible for the municipal policing assistance grant available to communities larger than 5,000 people, she said.
When asked why the Towns aren’t planning to cut staff, Goodwin said the Municipal Government Act requires staff members to remain employed with the newly amalgamated municipality.
“It’s important to identify the importance of the first several years, that what our staff bring to the table as we pull two communities into one is experience and knowledge,” she said. “What we hope for is a seamless process working with our council, community, staff and municipal affairs to help guide this process.”
When asked if debts will be combined, Turner Valley Coun. Cindy Holladay, a member of the Joint Friendship Agreement Committee’s finance subcommittee, said they will be rolled into one.
She said Turner Valley currently has the largest debt, due mostly to the construction costs of the Sheep River Library, which serves residents in both communities.
“We decided to roll the debts into the new municipality rather than separate them,” she said.
Once the Joint Friendship Agreement Committee completes its amalgamation review process next month, it will vote on whether or not to recommend amalgamation, requiring an 80 per cent majority vote.
The committee consists of all members of both Black Diamond and Turner Valley councils.
The ultimate decision, says Turner Valley’s mayor, rests with the town councils.
When asked why the decision of amalgamation can’t be made by residents, as occurred in 2007, when it was rejected.
Crane said a public vote is not required.
“The councils chose to proceed with a thorough review that includes public input,” he said.
If the councils choose to amalgamate and it’s approved by the minister, Goodwin expects an election for Diamond Valley’s first council to occur in late 2022 and the community to be incorporated on Jan. 1, 2023.
Questions asked by residents throughout the process, as well as the answers, will be submitted to the province with the application, if amalgamation is agreed upon.
A recording of last week’s meetings, as well as the questions and answers, is available for viewing on both town websites.
