Fort Resolution (May 09/05) - Things are looking up for Deninoo Community Council in Fort Resolution.

A co-management agreement signed last year with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) has improved the council's finances and operations.

Tausia Lal, the council's senior administrative officer (SAO), says it has requested the arrangement be extended for another year and MACA has agreed.

"This council is doing very well," Lal says. "We are in better shape than before."

For example, she notes council had a deficit of about $70,000 when the agreement was signed, but is now out of the red.

"Any time you get out of a deficit, it's a positive situation," Lal says.

She had been acting SAO for seven months, before becoming the permanent SAO on May 1. Previously, she was the council's recreation co-ordinator.

The co-management agreement was initially signed April 5, 2004, to help the then struggling council, which requested MACA's assistance.

The council was having difficulty largely because of a high turnover of SA0s.

The co-management agreement established tighter control on finances, provided more training for councillors and staff, and established a joint management committee to oversee all community-delivered programs, services and financial activities.

Lal says the renewal of the agreement will mean more workshops for staff, more strategic planning and improved services for the community.