By Jessie Weisner (Twitter: @Jessie__Weisner)

Clearwater County looks to buy fourth tax exempt property in Rocky Mountain House

Jun 28, 2018 | 10:29 AM

Rocky Mountain House town council has decided to allow Clearwater County to purchase a property within Town limits.

Clearwater County plans on using the existing building for municipal operations, mainly for storing equipment.

Town council had a tough time deciding on whether to grant the acquisition, as it makes the property exempt from local taxes.

The Town will now lose out on $16,426.89 annually in taxes from the property located at 4401 44 Avenue in Rocky’s industrial park.

Although the decision has a negative financial impact on the Town, priority was put on maintaining a positive relationship with Clearwater County.

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“We want to continue that relationship,” says Mayor Tammy Burke. “Everybody understands that it’s not ideal with the tax exemption, but we also have other benefits from the County.”

Clearwater County’s tax exempt properties in Rocky Mountain House are valued at about $4,000,000.

Purchasing this property will raise the property assessment to more than $5,000,000 and the amount of tax exemptions to roughly $60,000.

According to the Town, 16.5 per cent of properties in Rocky Mountain House are currently exempt from taxes, including schools, churches and hospitals.

Despite council members voicing concerns at the lost taxes, all members present voted in favour of the sale.

“We want to make sure that the County’s needs are met and we feel we made the right decision today,” Burke adds.

Use of the facility will be temporary, as the County plans on building their own municipal operations building in about ten years.

Terms on the sale are yet to be disclosed.