BARRHEAD-County of Barrhead's administration and the council is on a mission.
They want to let everyone know that the United Conservative Party (UCP) government plans to change its mind and revisit its decision.
At a special July 30 meeting conducted via video conference councillors unanimously voted to set up a meeting with Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock UCP MLA Glenn van Dijken and invite elected representatives from Westlock County and Athabasca County for a meeting to discuss their mutual concerns about the government's plan to change the assessment model for oil and gas companies.
In a separate motion, councillors also instructed the administration to embark on an information lobbying campaign to inform ratepayers, businesses, the Town of Barrhead, as well as the smaller oil and gas companies in the region of what they believe are the negative consequences the new model will have.
The county is also asking ratepayers to pass on their concerns directly to van Dijken's office at 780-674-3225; [email protected].
The purpose of the new model is to help the struggling oil and gas industry.
If the new model goes ahead, the municipality believes as does the Rural Municipalities of Alberta Association (RMA) who was one of the stakeholders invited to take part in the review that municipalities will lose hundreds of thousands if not millions in tax revenue.
The final decision is expected by mid-August and the new assessment model would be implemented come 2021.
"So we have a very short window to do something," said county manager Debbie Oyarzun.
She started the discussion, suggesting they needed to talk to their urban partners, the Town of Barrhead, explaining what the model and the potential loss of revenue could have on the agreements they have with ranging from the Recreation Agreement, the recently signed Inter-municipal Collaborative Framework (ICF) agreement, to projects they jointly contribute to such as the student resource officer (SRO) for area schools, and the Barrhead and District Social Housing Association (BDSHA) requisition.
"Any agreement where we cost-share," Oyarzun said.
Coun. Walter Preugschas and reeve Doug Drozd said it would be beneficial to get the energy companies onside in their attempt to get the government to reconsider. The report prepared by the RMA believes smaller oil and gas companies have little to gain from the proposed assessment model.
"Their voice will carry as much weight or even more than municipalities," Drozd said
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Coun. Darrell Troock asked what impact the new model would have on the recreation agreement they have with the town.
Oyarzun said there is the potential that the agreement might have to be renegotiated.
"I think there is a clause that says if the province makes any changes that it could be renegotiated," she said, adding which is troublesome given how contentious the issue has been.
The municipalities tried for years to come up with a long-term agreement, and in the end, it was only achieved after the province ordered them into binding arbitration.
Deputy reeve Dennis Nanninga suggested they needed to bring more counties on board, suggesting they approach Woodlands County to join their efforts.
Oyarzun agreed, noting the RMA is asking all municipalities to lobby the government, local MLA, et cetera.
"Despite all the work the RMA has done, these models are still on the table," she said, adding she was sure Woodlands County would be lobbying hard against the models, as they would be even more negatively impacted by them.
Drozd then asked if the government were to try to move forward with a new assessment model if they would have to do it through legislation.
Oyarzun said she believed since the change was regulatory all that was needed was to be approved by the cabinet.
"This is something we need clarification on," Drozd said. "Something this important needs to be debated on the floor of the legislature and not behind closed doors of cabinet."
In a media release sent after the meeting, Drozd emphasized that they realized the importance of the energy industry.
"There are other tools to stimulate the industry. County of Barrhead residents are owners of the province’s resources and are entitled to their fair share to serve our community," he stated.
Troock reiterated the need to pressure van Dijken.
"This is a chickensh&t way to treat the people that put them into power. They would be where they are without the rural and now they are stepping on us," he said.
