The group that will explore amalgamating Trail and Warfield is expected to be in place by early December, according to the schedule contained in the terms of a study that the councils of both municipalities have now endorsed.
The draft terms were approved last November as the two communities asked the provincial government for money to carry out the study. At the end of March, the province agreed to put up $90,000. The two councils subsequently signed a memorandum of understanding that sets out roles and responsibilities and the cost sharing arrangement.
The study will by governed by a joint steering committee consisting of two council and four residents from each municipality, supported by a project team made up of administrative staff. Co-chairs will be decided upon by the committee members. An independent consultant will do the technical work and public engagement. All meetings will be open to the public and a dedicated website will be created.
According to a report that went to Trail council last week, the steering committee is expected to be in place and start working in early December and wrap up by the late fall of 2027. The committee will make the final recommendation to both councils on whether residents should vote on amalgamating. If the answer is yes, twin referendums will be held and residents of both municipalities will need to endorse the merger for it to proceed. How quickly that might happen and what it might look like have yet to be determined.
