MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - County council has approved a three per cent increase in the municipality’s fees charged on redesignations (rezoning fee) and subdivisions.
The changes were made to Schedule C of Bylaw No. 03/23 Fee Schedule, which is a compilation of rates and fees associated with county operations. The increase was approved by way of motion at the Feb. 8 council meeting, held in person and online.
Administration had recommended either a three or 6.3 per cent increase.
“Council felt that that (proposed 6.3 per cent increase) was far to dramatic of an increase and the three per cent is really just to try to keep in line with adjustments and with everything getting more expensive, to try to find a balance between what is realistic and what is acceptable to our residents. We felt this was on the mark,” said reeve Angela Aalbers.
Under the approved changes, for example, the agriculture, residential redesignation fee increases from $525 to $541, the agriculture fee from $35 to $36, the farmstead residential from $105/acre to $108/acre, and county residential from $370/acre to $381/acre.
Subdivision fees for first parcel out, for example, increases from $650 to $670.
During council discussion of the proposed fee scheduled increases, Coun. Peggy Johnson asked administration to explain the recommendations for three and 6.3 per cent.
Chris Atchison, director of legislative services, said, “The 6.3 per cent was from the price index increase year over year and the three per cent was a number council had provided direction on to find middle ground between the status quo and the 6.3 per cent.”
Coun. Gord Krebs said, “I would rather see zero per cent, but three per cent would be as high as I would want to vote.”
Coun. Alan Miller said, “I’m in agreement with three per cent. It’s not a huge dollar increase but we still need to cover the costs.”
Coun. Greg Harris said, “I would be in favour of three.”
Coun. Johnson asked about the long range planning administrative fee applicable to all subdivision applications. For example, the fee for first parcel out, residential goes from $50 to $52.
“I don’t understand why we need that on top of the rezoning fee,” said Johnson.
Margaretha Bloem, director of planning, said, “The long range planning fees have been part of the fee schedule for many years and it is recognizing that the county, from time to time, will review our statutory plans as well as our land use bylaw . . . and ultimately helps to pay for the long range planning documents that we prepare (such the municipal development plan and area structure plans).”
Coun. Dwayne Fulton said, “I’m supportive of an increase to keep in line with the added costs that go along with the processing and circulation of these files.”
The complete updated fee schedule is available on the county’s website.
