Forestburg council passed the third and final reading of the Master Rates bylaw at their regular meeting on Feb. 1.
Administration previously reviewed the Master Rates bylaw, and recommended council pass the increased amendments.
The increases will align the current rates with that of other municipalities of similar size in the region. The bylaw features an increase in fees such as photocopies, returned bank items, certificate of compliance and adding a development variance request to existing developments.
Although fees will be increasing, it will not be a significant impact on the village’s operating revenue.
Emergency reception centre
Deputy Mayor Bob Coutts motioned to explore the feasibility of using the Forestburg hockey arena as the primary reception centre for emergencies.
Director of Emergency Management, Reid Rorem, prepared a report that was brought to council regarding the Forestburg Community Hall being used as the emergency reception area for the village.
Deputy Mayor Coutts believes the kitchen facility, the expanse of useable space such as dressing rooms and the fact the arena has showers would all be valuable assets to an emergency reception area.
The key to creating an adequate emergency reception area is to ensure that there is suitable power generation available as the building would most likely be utilized during a power outage.
This item is not budgeted for 2018, but administration recommends that council fund up to $20,000 for 2019.
Tax sale auction
There are currently five properties listed for the 2018 Tax Recovery Sale.
Council picked a later fall date in order to give property owners the ability to contact administration and arrange payment.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Debra Moffatt, anticipates that some property owners will pay the overdue taxes before the auction and will be removed from the public sale.
Emily Wheller
ECA Review
