ATHABASCA - A recent closed-door meeting with Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock MLA Glenn van Dijken gave municipalities an opportunity to speak frankly about proposed changes to the linear assessment model.
Athabasca County reeve Larry Armfelt told councillors at their Aug. 27 meeting of some of the developments arising from the Aug. 12 meeting of municipalities, hosted by the County of Barrhead. Representatives from neighbouring municipalities in Athabasca County, Westlock County, Woodlands County, Smoky Lake County and Thorhild County were able to strongly express their concerns about the proposed changes to the assessment model to van Dijken in a closed forum.
The province undertook an assessment review early in the year and released four proposed options that would see the amount of tax paid by oil and gas companies for infrastructure on municipal land significantly decreased. They ranged from an overall decrease in assessment of seven per cent for the first option, to 20 per cent in Option #4.
“Lots of the counties have been up in arms and sent letters to the government, does it look like we’re making any headway with the government? Are they looking at assessments? Because there has been lots of flak over it and I’m wondering if anyone has heard anything through the grapevine,” Coun. Travais Johnson asked.
Armfelt responded that a recent cabinet shuffle that saw a change in the minister of municipal affairs, was a sign from the government that some of their concerns were being taken seriously.
“The fact that they had a mini-shuffle this week that included the minister of municipal affairs probably speaks to that,” said county manager Ryan Maier, adding that the fourth option of a 20 per cent decrease was now off the table, but the province was still moving forward.
Former minister Kaycee Madu changed portfolios Aug. 25, moving over to the ministry of justice, while former minister for economic development, trade and tourism Tracy Allard takes over at municipal affairs.
The Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) has made it clear previously that none of the four options were acceptable, as all would be a significant hit to the bottom line for rural municipalities.
“The province has pointed to municipalities on several occasions recently in press conferences to say that municipalities need to spend less,” said Maier, pointing out the province had given an economic forecast, while councillors met, that pointed to significant debt and deficits for the foreseeable future.
Coun. Warren Griffin pointed out the government was likely pointing to Edmonton and Calgary when they tell municipalities to cut spending, which paints all municipalities with the same brush.
He pointed to a recent release from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation that said that is really not the case.
“That’s some really good information showing that we don’t. To compare us per capita to Edmonton and Calgary, it’s not even realistic,” said Griffin.
Coun. Dennis Willcott suggested the government refrain from holding “some of those really important meetings down in Jasper” and instead to hold them elsewhere, perhaps in Athabasca County.
Reeve Armfelt said it was made very clear to van Dijken how the budgeting process works, and he considered that an advancement.
“Everybody there didn’t mind voicing their opinions and as we left, there was a question of whether we should continue these meetings, and everybody said yes, this was a good place to voice our concerns and so on,” he said.
“Let’s keep the ball rolling and keep the pressure on them, let’s keep their feet to the fire,” said Johnson to close the discussion.
Chris Zwick, TownandCountryToday.com
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