Province to Fund Governance Study for Pictou County

The province is offering $100,000 toward a governance study that will help six Pictou County municipalities find the best and most efficient way to operate.

"Families, seniors and residents of Pictou County want to ensure their communities stay strong and vibrant for generations to come," said Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister John MacDonell.

"This study could help the six municipalities identify ways they can keep their communities great, while becoming more efficient, improving services to their residents and cutting costs. In the end, the goal is to improve community life."

The study would look at possible governance models for the County of Pictou and the towns of Stellarton, Pictou, New Glasgow, Westville and Trenton. It would also suggest whether sharing municipal services between those municipalities could improve services and control rising costs.

A governance study looks at how municipalities are organized and how their councils and their staff function. It offers suggestions to become more effective and efficient, in order to ensure the best use of residents' tax dollars.