PENHOLD – Some local farmers are voicing concerns over the Town of Penhold's plans for the planned huge land annexation from Red Deer County.
Longtime Red Deer County landowner and farmer Cornelis den Boer wants Penhold residents to know what annexation could mean for them.
He joined several other area landowners at an open house on the proposed annexation Nov. 23 at the Penhold Regional Multiplex.
“How many people in the Town of Penhold realize the burden that is going to be bestowed upon them," said den Boer, noting several areas he believes will impact Penhold ratepayers.
They include maintaining six kilometres of (former county) road that may consist of applying gravel when needed and snowplowing in winter.
"The county is not going to be responsible for that anymore but the Town of Penhold will. It's going to be within the town limits (after annexation)," said den Boer. "When the roads (need) gravel the citizens of Penhold will have to pay for it," he added.
In addition, other concerns include reporting crime, licensing of pets, animal restrictions, fire department response and other municipal services.
A portion of Waskasoo Creek has been maintained by the county for years, said den Boer, but now he's concerned over the future of the creek as well.
"When I first bought this land (40 years ago) the creek was a lot bigger," said den Boer, noting three kilometres of creek that are currently in county limits will become part of Penhold after annexation.
Den Boer and other area farmers have already met with both town and county officials regarding the annexation, he said, but questions remain.
Bob Blair is another nearby farmer who has his own concerns about the planned annexation.
“They don't need that much land,” said Blair, noting he lives one and a half kilometres east and north of the town. “When I asked which quarters they were going to annex first they said they didn't know.”
“If they do annex, I don't want the taxes to change from what they are now,” he added.
Den Boer said it's important for everyone to know what and how other landowners in the area feel about the annexation.
"They should have got all the landowners together and then discuss the annexation," he said.
Penhold councillor Mike Walsh said tax increases as a result of the annexation are not a done deal.
"At this point in time it's undecided," said Walsh. "In three years, this council so far has held the mill rate steady twice and we've lowered it once. We've done everything in our power to not increase the tax rate on our residents."
Den Boer stressed he believes that (current) taxes will not offset the cost of annexation.
"I would like to warn the inhabitants of Penhold what it is going to cost them," said den Boer. "It's going to be a tax burden to them.
"Somebody has to pay for it," den Boer concluded.
Cornelis den Boer
"I'm trying to make the citizens of the Town of Penhold aware of what it is going to cost them."
