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leaving a hole

Clearwater County hit by outstanding oil and gas property taxes

Jan 21, 2020 | 12:15 PM

A recent story from The Canadian Press detailed how the amount of unpaid property taxes owed by oil and gas companies to Alberta’s rural municipalities mas more than doubled over the past year.

Clearwater County, it appears, is no exception.

“It appears we could be around double for outstanding oil and gas taxes for December 31, 2019 as compared to 2018,” shared Communications Coordinator Djurdjica Tutic.

Tutic indicated that the 2019 financial statements are not yet finalized and that it will not be known until they are whether Clearwater County’s numbers will fall in line with those referenced by The Canadian Press.

Tutic assured that the county follows all avenues available through the Municipal Government Act when it comes to collecting property taxes.

“The county is closely observing the economic changes in Alberta and is cautiously optimistic regarding the percentage of tax revenue that will be collected from the oil & gas industry,” she explains.

The county will allow those companies to go on a Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP) to allow what they owe to be paid monthly instead of one single annual payment.

“This is a program that is offered to all ratepayers and Clearwater County has not made any allowances for one ratepayer that it hasn’t offered to all ratepayers,” Tutic said in reference to any notions of favouritism being shown toward certain parties.

Even with the prolonged economic downturn that has gripped the province, Clearwater County appears to be remaining largely unaffected.

“Overall, most services remained at the same level, due in part to the diligence of this and past Councils for ensuring Clearwater County is financially responsible with a focus on the future,” said Tutic.