By rdnewsNOW Staff

Utility Fee Increases

Town of Penhold council notes

Dec 20, 2021 | 3:20 PM

The Town of Penhold 2022 Operating Budget has been approved.

Mayor Yargeau expressed appreciation last week to Town staff for the detailed reports provided and to council for reviewing the Town’s service levels identifying areas for potential enhancements/changes.

“With so much change and cost fluctuations it is good to see that we can hold the rates as a community once again for the sixth consecutive year,” said Mayor Yargeau in a press release. “The increase in policing fees from the Province will be passed on, which will show a modest possible one per cent cost increase on next year’s tax bill. The final tax rates will be determined once the School Requisition (request for payment) has been finalized and the provincial funding for new infrastructure projects are approved (granting).”

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Elsewhere, administration identified to council that the Town’s utilities are not meeting Alberta Municipal Affairs recommended policy of being cost recovery.

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As a result, the recommendation was made that the Town begin moving the utilities fees to reflect actual costing for service. Council approved a partial increase to assist in the operational portion of cost recovery.

Utilities will see a base fee increase in January for monthly bills: Sewer fees will be going up reflecting increasing maintenance costs to the waste system by ($2.75). Water will see an increase of ($1.90) per month for base fee. The cubic metre charge for moving and treating sewer will be going up by $ 0.08 cents per cube and water $0.07 per cube. Garbage fees will be dropping by $ 1.00 per month.

Town officials say the average Penhold consumer will see an increase of $5.30 per month for water/sewer/storm/garbage.

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The New Home Buyer Incentive Program will continue in 2022. Town officials say this is a two year tax reduction program which will see a 50 per cent reduction in year one in municipal taxes and a 25 per cent reduction in year two for those that take part.

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Council granted the CAO authority to enter into an agreement with a consultant company to prepare a comprehensive traffic assessment for eight key intersections, including cost estimates for each future intersection construction and upgrades within Town.

This is expected to provide significant time savings and cost savings for future new builds. With clarity given to potential traffic flow, approvals are anticipated to be given quickly and the need for impact assessments to not be required within the development setbacks identified.

Mayor Yargeau identified this project is being done in collaboration with Alberta Transportation and Town staff.

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Council identified a group, Alberta Regional Rail, which is promoting high speed rail and looking for municipal support. A request was made that administration follow up and attempt to have a meeting with the investment group.