Property tax bylaw finally passed
Town council has officially approved the 2011 Property Tax Rate Bylaw.
At its regular council meeting on April 25 council unanimously approved second and third readings.
Administration will now prepare and mail out the 2011 assessment and taxation notices, which will give residents two months to pay their taxes before the June 30 deadline.
Residents will see an average property tax increase of 3.36 per cent while non-residential properties will be hit with an average hike of 4.64 per cent.
Council gives letter of support
Innisfail council has agreed to give a letter of support to the local Advance Society.
The group, a non-profit organization that provides support for seniors with disabilities, wants to apply for a grant from the Community Initiatives Program through the Alberta Lottery Fund.
The society said it is seeking funding for an exterior home renovation. A letter to council stated the society provides 24-hour care for disabled seniors and has not had any exterior upgrades sine its facility was built in 1979.
Council was told by administration on April 25 it had no issues with the society’s request.
New vehicle for second community peace officer
Innisfail’s second community peace officer, expected to be hired by July 1, will have his own vehicle.
Town council agreed on April 25 to allow administration to purchase a 2007 F150 four-door vehicle for $13,500 from Wetaskiwin County.
Council was told the Wetaskiwin vehicle is completely outfitted with policing package equipment, including prisoner barrier, siren box, LED lights, Stalker dual radar system, a mobile vision camera system, and laptop docking station. The town will have to install its own radio.
Administration also told council the vehicle has been used for 180,000 kms but that it is still in “immaculate condition” and should give the town at least seven additional years of service.
“We felt it was a great deal,” said Darryl Joyce, the town’s director of corporate and protective services. “It allows us get the new peace officer literally hitting the ground running.”
