All construction is finished for the Penhold Multiplex, said Mayor Dennis Cooper last week. Council approved a report of the income and expenditures on the multiplex last Tuesday. The $20 million project, started in 2008, used $12, 129,437 of government funding, $100,000 town income and $2,067,796 in transfers from reserves. Other revenue included $1,188,015 in municipal sustainability initiative funding, $801,370 in fundraising and other grants and sales.
“We did a detail report on costing and that basically tied a ribbon around it and said this is how much we spent,” said Cooper. “We had to have that audited and from there we have to submit it to the provincial and federal government to show where we spent it.”
He estimates about another $500,000 will be necessary to work on roads around the building.
“At this present time we have our $2.5 million mortgage on the building and the building operation,” he said of what’s left to pay for.
Tax sale upcoming in November
Over $40,000 in taxes are outstanding from property owners in Penhold. Council agreed Tuesday to hold a tax sale on 15 manufactured homes, one business and three homes.
“Right up until the sale the tax owner or agent can pay the taxes. If everything is paid for, the tax sale will cease,” explained CAO Rick Binnendyk to council.
The decision to put the properties up for auction isn’t a new one for Penhold, explained mayor Dennis Cooper.
“We’ve done it before and people come in and pay,” he said of a process that gets people motivated to come in.
Homes will be sold at market value, which was assessed through Bow Valley Property Evaluators, explained Binnendyk.
The auction is set for 10 a.m. in council chambers November 15. Council removed one manufactured home from the list that was in debt just over $30.
In total, $46,494.92 is owned.
Council cuts water bill in half
Council agreed to cut a water bill that topped $1,200 in half. A Penhold family was charged $1,245.20 for one month’s worth of water consumption after a running toilet consumed 361 cubic metres of water. Their average consumption of water for the last 18 months was 14.17.
“That’s probably good enough to fill a swimming pool full,” said CAO Rick Binnendyk to council Monday night. “They are asking for consideration. The town has extended consideration under extreme hardships and that may be something you want to consider.”
He explained the town could absorb the cost of the water component but the sewer is an outside cost and hasn’t been waived.
Council agreed to charge a dropped-down rate of $1.71 per cubic metre, bringing the total price down to $634.31, along with the $17 garbage fee to be paid without interest by the end of December.
