Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Jan 18/02) - Inuvik town council has endorsed 10 recommendations which, if approved, will significantly impact the NWT Association of Municipalities.

The recommendations were made at a November meeting of the NWTAM board of directors. The votes are to be tallied at a special meeting Feb. 22 in Yellowknife. The Town of Inuvik has four votes.

Coun. Clarence Wood -- who is vice-president representing cities, towns and villages for the NWTAM -- explained the most important recommendations deal with reorganizing the association's board of directors.

"What we're attempting to do is streamline the organization to save money," Wood said.

He pointed out the executive's size did not alter after Nunavut was created. Under the proposal, the number of directors would be cut from six to four. Two directors would represent hamlets, settlements, charter communities and community government, and another two for cities, towns and villages.

As well, directors' terms would increase from one year to two to cut down on elections.

This move also helps ensure continuity, as the directors terms are to not end the same year as the president and vice-presidents.

"That allowed us to cut the position of past president, because the only reason it was there was for continuity."

Wood said eliminating the past president position would save about $15,000 annually.

"We looked at what areas we could cut, because funding is an issue."

One of the recommendations proposes to change the name of the NWTAM to the NWT Association of Communities.

Seeking funding

The NWTAM is also seeking additional funding from the territorial government for this year. Wood said he can't go into details until the government responds, but that the association is aiming to increase its services.

"It makes it hard to provide the service when you don't have the staff to do it. So we're looking at some extra funding to try to staff some vacant positions."

Currently the association employs two full-time workers, one of whom is on maternity leave. That position is being filled by a casual worker, whom Wood said the NWTAM would like to keep on.

"The existing staff we have here are doing an incredible job with the resources they have," Wood said.