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Michaud, Fort Simpson's mayor from 1992-95, said "it was a bad time of year to raise the water bill. Naturally that would have a major thing to do with it."
He also suggested his opponents, incumbent Tom Wilson and fellow former mayor Ron McCagg, split the votes.
Otherwise, he offered words of praise for the job Wilson did over the past three years.
"(Wilson) used to be my deputy mayor. He was a good asset," Michaud said. "He knew what he was doing and he did it for the love of the community."
Wilson said he knew people were upset over water rates and he expected some backlash. Although it may not be popular, he said he still feels the office of mayor should be a half-time paid position to adequately address development issues. He also still argues that the village should not return to hamlet status to ensure it remains in control of its own destiny.
"But the people have spoken and that's life of politics," Wilson said. "Maybe after 15 years (as mayor and councillor) they've had enough of me in there."
McCagg was on duty travel, Tuesday, and couldn't be reached for comment.
Michaud's election platform included creating an alternate access route for Fort Simpson, which he says will facilitate development. As well, he's in favour of having the village return to hamlet status unless the territorial government is willing to renegotiate Fort Simpson's current funding arrangement.
He added that Yellowknife is getting the lion's share of economic growth and it's time to give smaller communities a chance.
"We've got to get rid of this (attitude that) it's got to be built in Yellowknife because it's the 'capital,'" he said, noting that Fort Simpson offers a lower cost of living than Yellowknife. Voter turnout was about 41 per cent in Fort Simpson with 324 people casting ballots out of an eligible 790.
The new mayor and council will be sworn in on Nov. 3.
