DIDSBURY -- The 2019 tax rate bylaw was brought back to council at its regular council meeting on May 28.
The bylaw, which was passed at the previous council meeting on May 14, was rescinded and a new one passed.
Staff made the recommendation to replace the bylaw as a May 14 motion setting the Alberta School Foundation Fund (ASFF) requisition did not match the intent of council's discussion.
Council’s May 14 motion was to keep this year’s ASFF requisition the same as last year.
But staff said council had been discussing scenario 2 which contemplated a 3.98 per cent increase, which is the average of the last five years.
The new tax rate bylaw now has the ASFF requisition with a 3.98 per cent increase.
The amended 2019 tax rate bylaw, which passed at the May 28 regular council meeting, sets the ASFF requisition at a total of $1,654,023, which includes $1,397,176 for residential/farm land and $256,847 for non-residential, an increase of $63,310 over the rescinded tax rate bylaw.
According to the town website, the 2018 taxation notices were mailed to residents on May 30.
In other council news, council passed a bylaw regarding off-site levies.
The background information provided to council stated that the current off-site levy requires administration to review annually and update if deemed necessary.
The off-site levy bylaw had not been updated for several years, as such a review was conducted to ensure the language and interpretation was properly reflected.
Off-site levies are collected from a developer at a time of subdivision or development and held in trust to construct specific off-site infrastructure.
Council approved a motion updating the water bylaw. Councillors had previously requested that administration revise the existing water bylaw.
According to the background information provided council, administration felt that some clauses in the old bylaw were ambiguous regarding who is responsible for what.
Council approved additional expenses of $53,000 for repairs and maintenance for the water department and $28,000 for repairs and maintenance for wastewater to be funded from their respective reserves.
The background information states that for the first few months of 2019 there were eight water main breaks and six sewer main breaks, which is unusually high compared to previous years.
Council approved a request for an extra $63,000 to be taken out of reserves for asphalt rehabilitation. The total budget requested is $183,600 and includes work on the following areas: Westhill Crescent, 16th Street north of 21st Avenue.
The background information from staff stated that this past winter has been unusually harsh and the town has had many waterline breaks which now require patching.
