Tuesday, January 26, 2016

COUNTY BUDGET LOOMS

                                                                                                                 
NEW BUILDINGS????  TAX HIKES???? BASIC SERVICES????
In light of the current economic conditions, the Clearwater County Taxpayers’ Association feels it is of utmost importance that your tax dollars are spent in a fiscally responsible manner, reflective of the wishes of you, the taxpayer.  Consequently we are sending out this special edition of The Beacon with a two- fold purpose… encourage you to become involved, and to provide an opportunity for your input.
1. Become involved…We encourage you to attend the County’s budget deliberation meetings on February 2,3, and 4 at 9:00AM in the county’s office.  Come and hear council’s discussion on potential topics like:
  • New buildings
  • Development proposals
  • Public works spending
  • Increased staff
  • Waste authority management
  • Roads/bridges
  • YOUR TAX RATES
Then, provide your input at the county’s Open House on February 18, from 2:00PM to 7:00PM at the County Office.  
2.  Provide input… We are asking for your opinion on county budget issues and invite you to fill out the questionnaire on the back of this newsletter.  This would give us valuable information as we endeavor to “present your case” to county council.  In return for giving us a few minutes of your time we are giving you the opportunity to win a $100.00 Coop Gift Card.


Becoming involved  giving input = possibility for positive budget. 

You can post comments on the survey below by clicking on "comments"
CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION SURVEY
HAVE A SAY… BECOME A WINNER
To help us present your opinions on budget matters to County Council at their Open House on February 18, 2016 we ask you to please complete the following questionnaire.  We thank you for your efforts.
Complete the following survey and submit it by Wednesday, February 10, 2016 to be eligible to win a $100.00 Coop Gift Card.  Note:  This survey is for Clearwater County residents only.
1.  Currently, how satisfied are you with the county services?  (Circle your choice.)
                          Satisfied                                       Dissatisfied
Comments:_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

2.  How important are the following improvements or developments? (Circle your choice.)
Asphalt overlay                                                  Very important          Important             Not important at all 
Bridge maintenance                                          Very important          Important             Not important at all
Increasing Community Police Officers            Very Important         Important              Not important at all
Increasing Senior Funding                                Very Important          Important              Not important at all
Roadside brushing, mowing, spraying            Very important         Important               Not important at all
New administration building                            Very important         Important               Not important at all
New ag services building                                   Very important         Important               Not important at all
New ag events building/arena                          Very important        Important               Not important at all
Telecommunications & fibre optics installation   Very important     Important           Not important at all

Comments:__________________________________________________________________________

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Greetings:  Greetings and Happy New Year everyone.  We hope you have had some quality time with family and friends over the holiday season.  The Clearwater County Taxpayers’ Association is “ready and rarin’ to go” into this new year.  We look forward to working on our mandate of advocating for fiscal responsibility, open communication, and decisions that reflect the needs/wishes of the residents of our county.  We are always ready and willing to hear your concerns and act on your behalf in any way possible as we “Work together for a common good.”

IN THE NEWS
Bill 6--- This was a well-publicized issue throughout December as it stirred up actions and emotions from farmers province wide.  Your councillors and county staff attended various town hall meetings in their efforts to gain information and support our farmers.  An informative report was given by Matt Martinson, our Ag Services Manager, at the December 8 council meeting and an enlightening discussion among councillors followed.  A letter was subsequently sent from our council and Ag Service Board to the premier and other government officials expressing concerns as well as suggesting actions for improvement.  Our council is to be commended for their efforts and support for our agricultural industry.

More land purchased---A December 8 news release on the County’s website announced that the county had purchased a 5.91 acre building site located within the quarter section that the county had previously purchased north of Rocky on the airport road.  No purchase price was listed but Reeve Pat Alexander stated that, “Council opted to purchase the acreage to eliminate the need, and associated costs, of providing mitigation measures…meaning things like berms or operational time restrictions.”  He also added, “Not only are we required to meet environmental legislation for our salt/sand storage, but we have outgrown our existing administration building.”

2016 Budget--- The adoption of the 2016 budget has been delayed until January/February due to the “potentially significant impact on taxation and other revenue in 2016, precipitated by the continuing downturn in the Alberta economy.” (Council meeting agenda package, December 8)  Council will now receive budget information binders no later than January 25 and will then review that information on February 2,3,4.  Opportunity for public input will be given on Thursday, February 18 between 2:00PM and 7:00PM at the County office. Final review and approval of the 2016 budget is anticipated at the regular council meeting on February 23, 2016. 

Point of Interest---The town of Rocky’s “Petition Committee Representative”, Dale Shippelt, received a letter from the Minister of Municipal Affairs confirming that she will be “ordering a municipal inspection.”  This process will “report on the management, administration, or operation of the municipality…”, meaning the town of Rocky.

Roses:  A bouquet of roses this month goes out to Greg Somers for his efforts in taking a stance and making a presentation to council on November 24.  He was expressing concern over the loss of agricultural land due to oil/gas activity as well as the development of multi-lot sub-divisions.  This is the very same concern expressed repeatedly by county residents during the development of the Municipal Development Plan in 2010.  Thank you, Greg, for reinforcing the need to protect our greatest food producing resource.

Rant:  It was recently brought to our attention that a county snow plow/sanding truck was maintaining the roadway in Meadow Ponds Estates (in the Everdell area, south of Rocky).  This is a privately owned development and no one is currently living there.  When the caller had questioned county staff she was told that “we have to keep it open in case someone wants to look at the lots”.  Should that not be the responsibility of the developer??? On second thought, if the county equipment is available to developers on their property, how about it being made available to maintain driveways for seniors or handicapped residents throughout the county???

Up-coming Events
Regular Monthly Meetings:
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Thursday, February 11, 2016
(At 7:00PM, Leslieville Elks Hall)


Note:  We’re on line:  Clearwatercountytaxpayers.ca