By Marianne Cole
COUNTY/CAROLINE AMALGAMATION
Two public open house meetings and one virtual meeting were held April 17 – 19, 2024. The following concerns and information were gathered from those meetings:
· First of all the format was very disappointing. Rather than a sit-down meeting, attendees had to walk around and read various information charts. Staff and councillors were available to answer questions.
· Most people felt it would have been much more beneficial to have an open, informative presentation followed by a question/answer session. That way everyone would have been given equal opportunity to hear the same information along with all questions and concerns. Comments heard at both meetings suggested this was a “divide and conquer” format.
· Currently councils are discussing possible operational plans as well as issues such as make-up of the interim council and wards/divisions for the new municipality.
· Opinions on those important matters are also being gathered on a survey available on the county’s website or at the county office. We certainly encourage you to complete the survey.
· Of significant discussion at the joint amalgamation meeting of April 25, 2024 were concerns about financial implications. It seems there is definitely information lacking about future infrastructure costs in Caroline and this is a noted issue for county council members.
· A “What We Heard” Report will be prepared and released to the public, hopefully later in May or early June.
· We certainly hope public meetings will then be held to present and discuss that information.
County Proposing a 1% Tax Rate Increase
This was a key item of discussion at the county council meeting on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Key points noted were: (Special note: For clarity, the actual taxes you pay are calculated by taking the assessed value of your property and multiplying it by the mill rate set by county council. Also, all quotes are taken from the meeting’s agenda package.)
· As a result of inflation, property assessment values in the county have increased 1.8%, resulting in “additional revenue of just under $900,000 for the county.”
· Increased growth, mostly in industry, is “contributing additional revenue of approximately $1.7million” or about 3.2% over last year.
· Together, “The change in assessment base is contributing an additional $2,593,585 in tax revenue over the 2023 budget which does not include the 1% tax rate increase that is included in this draft.”
· A draft of the 2023 audited financial statements also presented at Tuesday’s meeting showed that as of December 31, 2023 there was an unrestricted surplus (can be used as needed) of $100,000 while the restricted surplus (dedicated to specific categories) was $108,661,116.
· To compare how Clearwater County rates with neighboring jurisdictions, research showed in 2022 audited financials (2023 figures weren’t available for some neighbors) that restricted surpluses put Clearwater County at the top with $103, 297,385 while neighbors ranged from about $26M to $87M.
· Clearwater County passed first reading (on a vote of 5-2) to approve a 1% tax rate increase but it will be brought back on May 14, 2023 for 2nd and 3rd reading.
· Kudos are sent to the council members that expressed concerns over the need questionable need for a tax increase given the increase in revenue the county will already be receiving.
· Perhaps increased fiscal responsibility is necessary instead of a tax rate increase.
Broadband A Broadband Committee meeting
Began on Thursday, April 18, 2024 but ended before the agenda could be completed due to the amalgamation open house meeting also happening that day. The meeting was reconvened on Friday, April 26, 2024. Highlights/questions from that meeting were:
· A review of the “services” provided by the county which include Lit Services (internet and date transmission for immediate use), Tower and POP leasing (renting space on towers and Point of Presence locations), Dark Fibre Services (leasing unused fibre optic cable), and Subduct Leasing (leasing space within underground cables for installing fibre optic cables)
· Questions/concerns arose related to Rigstar’s responsibilities and involvement with operations. (Rigstar is an independent company that has been hired by the county as a “Network Operator”.)
· Significant discussion took place on assisting with providing broadband connectivity to the North Saskatchewan River Park (the rodeo grounds). It has been noted that this would be a great benefit to users of that location.
· As the town of Rocky owns that property the county would need to discuss connectivity options with them.
· A motion was passed recommending that administration meet with the town to gather more information on costs and operation opportunities moving forward.
· We certainly hope that joint cooperation will be possible and that we can have a beneficial solution in the near future.
· A March 15, 2024 letter from the CCTA requesting information on broadband finances and operation, including Rigstar’s responsibilities, was also discussed. Administration will be gathering information to provide answers to the questions asked in the letter.
SINCEREST CONDOLENCES
Our sincerest condolences are being extended to the Ahlstrom family on the recent passing of Lavern. Lavern was the primary instigator of getting the Clearwater County Taxpayers’ Association organized and was a dedicated member since it started as an ad hoc committee in 2010 and became an official society in 2013. His sincere care for his community in various ways will certainly be missed.
Coming Events:
Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 7:30PM and
Wednesday, June 12, 2024, 7:30PM regular meetings at Arbutus Community Hall
“May is the time when everything awakens and springs into action.” Unknown
“Spring is the time for plans and projects.” Leo Tolstoy
“ Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party’!!” Robin Williams
