The County of St. Paul has approved a formal funding agreement to support the Elk Point medical clinic, locking in its previously approved contribution of up to 5,600.

Administration said the Town of Elk Point has now succeeded in getting the clinic up and running in the former RCMP detachment building after several years of work.

Under the agreement, the county will contribute $5,000 per month toward lease-related costs, with payments made annually. Because the clinic opened in March 2026, the first year’s contribution will cover 10 months. The arrangement is expected to run just over three years before reaching the county’s approved cap.

Administration said the contribution reflects a 50-50 sharing arrangement based on the clinic’s net monthly cost to the town.

“So we offered to do 50% of that on a monthly basis paid annually,” council heard.

Councillors also asked what would happen if the project failed or stopped operating as a clinic before the full amount was paid out.

Administration pointed to protections in the agreement, including a requirement for the town to notify the county within 30 days of any closure lasting more than two weeks, and a clause allowing either party to terminate the agreement immediately if the building stops being used as a medical clinic.

“If it’s not a medical clinic, why would it fund?” administration said.

Councillor Maxine Podness praised the agreement before moving approval.

“I would just like to thank administration and the town of point to writing up this agreement because I think it covers everything and it covers the total contribution that the county is going to make,” she said.

Council then approved the agreement.