Council voted unanimously to hold a special session on May 7, 2019, to address property taxes.
Mayor Don Scott said residents should expect a more detailed assessment of the Property Tax Rate Bylaw.
“I love for people to come to council and give feedback. We’ve had some of the lowest taxes in Alberta for a long time, so I feel very positive and optimistic about it.”
For those unable to attend the session, it will be available for viewing on the municipality’s website.
Rises or drops in municipal taxes are dependent on changes to a property’s year-to-year assessment.
Reductions in market value caused many assessments to decline in 2018.
Therefore, administration recommends reducing the property tax rate ratio from 14.3 to 12.45.
The revenue required through property taxes for the 2019 taxation year amounts to $643,621,000.
Procurement
Council also approved unanimously the First Quarter results of the Competitive Procurement Audit Action Plan.
So far, the municipality implemented or completed 33 of the 38 recommendations in the plan.
Work on the Procurement Evaluation handbook, software for bid submissions, and training for staff is currently in progress.
Councillor Inglis suggested rural contractors be kept in the loop with the changes to procurement evaluation.
While they work closely with contractors based in Fort Chipewyan, administration agreed they would educate area businesses.
Council also voted on an Asset Management System Policy and a review of the shared services model with the Regional Recreation Corporation.
