The County of Stettler council has declined a request to provide a letter of support for a proposed medical clinic in Alix.
The Village of Alix had approached Stettler County for a letter of support to accompany a Nov. 1 grant application.
The grant would fund background work for a plan to expand the model of the Bashaw Medical Clinic into Alix, a move the village argued would benefit Stettler County hamlets such as Erskine & Nevis.
During discussion, Coun. Justin Stevens moved to grant the letter of support, arguing that while Alix and Bashaw are not immediate neighbors, fortifying regional healthcare ultimately eases pressure on Stettler’s medical system.
However, the motion failed after administration raised some concerns.
Among them was the absence of an Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework between the County of Stettler and either Alix or Bashaw.
Funding disputes involving ICFs elsewhere in the province were noted.
For example, an ICF disagreement in Brazeau County required the rural municipality to provide funding for a daycare located in the Town of Drayton Valley.
Drayton Valley is one of four communities in Alberta which subsidizes daycares at a local level, similar to the doctor incentive developed here in Stettler.
Council also sought clarity on the business model of the Bashaw clinic, specifically whether it operates as a private-public entity.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
