FORT ASSINIBOINE — Woodlands County councillors approved a number of supports for property-owners affected by recent flooding during a special council meeting June 29.
Heavy rain across central Alberta led to flooding along the McLeod and Athabasca Rivers from June 20-28, resulting in damage to a number of properties along those rivers in Woodlands County.
During the special meeting, councillors passed a motion to waive tipping fees at the Whitecourt Regional Landfill until July 10, allowing property-owners affected by flooding to dispose of garbage and debris at no cost.
In addition, residents will be able to load debris into six refuse containers placed on Flats Road, Old Ferry Loop East, Cutbanks Road West, Cutbanks Road East, Township Road 595 west of the Town of Whitecourt boundary near West Mountain Road, and Fort Assiniboine.
“The county is just trying to help individuals with clean-up as best as we can,” said reeve Dave Kusch.
Secondly, councillors passed a motion to waive development fees for property-owners affected by overland flooding until Nov. 30, 2023.
As noted in a report to council, the purpose of this measure is to encourage landowners to apply for development permits if they need to replace or construct new structures, as well as to assist contract assessors in tracking properties in which new development has occurred.
Kusch said councillors will also be discussing an additional measure to help residents affected by flooding at their regular meeting on Wednesday, July 19, at 9:30 a.m.
He indicated the new measure will concern property taxes owed by affected landowners, suggesting that the county may extend the deadline for paying tax bills or even forgive a portion of tax bills to free up funds for remediation and repairs.
