Clearwater County eyeing tax rebate

May 12, 2021 | 4:26 PM

Clearwater County Council has not only decided hold the line on the municipal property tax rate for the year, they are considering giving some money back.

With $1.5 million in various funds, $12 million in stabilization funds and only $142,000 would be needed to balance this year’s county budget, council is considering a tax rebate.

Interim CAO Murray Hagan shared his concerns that some people may interpret not getting the rebate the following year as a tax increase which some councillors did agree with. He later commented that it would incur a significant cost in man hours for administration to issue all the rebates to residents. Hagan suggested that perhaps a tax reduction would better serve the community.

Reeve Cammie Laird acknowledged the burden it would be on staff but said it’s time to show a level of compassion and understanding.

“I would hope our community would understand that this is a one-time thing. This may seem small but it could make the difference to someone in our community to put food on their table,” she said. “I put it to this council to not put this off to another year. We need to do something now.”

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Deputy Reeve John Vandermeer noted that he also didn’t feel right giving a tax break across the board. He stated that big companies are doing well and have already been receiving breaks from the provincial government.

A motion was made for administration to come back within four months with all the necessary information for council to make the decision on whether or not to give a tax rebate or implement a tax reduction.

by Adam Ophus

Clearwater County eyeing tax rebate

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