The city is sending out an annexation proposal despite some disagreements with the county.
Lloydminster staff will be finalizing and submitted an annexation application to the Alberta Municipal Government Board (MGB) to expand the city’s borders westward. Conversations between the city and the County of Vermilion River have been positive but recently they’ve taken a turn.
Mayor Gerald Aalbers says the disagreements stems from compensation for the land and the MGB will provide a decision on the matter.
“We felt it was best to send it to the MGB and it’s the duty of the MGB to help municipalities that can’t arrive at an amiable resolution to that matter.”
The two municipalities have been working on the annexation since 2015 and now that it’s contested it could push the timeline back even further.
“It will take a little longer for this process to move forward. Either way, the MGB would be involved [but] it just lengthens out the process.”
After receiving the application, the MGB could then hold a public hearing, if necessary, before recommending the annexation to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Kaycee Madu. The final decision will then be made by the provincial cabinet. There is no clear timeline on how long this process will take.