Alix village council heard the level of outstanding property taxes this year is substantially less than in 2023 in a report at the Aug. 7 council meeting.
Village Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Michelle White provided councillors with a tax trial balance as of Aug. 1 of this year and noted that the village sees $142,000 less outstanding tax payments this year than last.
The CAO also pointed out that the amount of unpaid property taxes has crept up in the “one year” category; that is, the length of time a property tax bill has gone unpaid.
White noted though that the village has cut down on unpaid tax owed for two or three years. Councillors accepted the report as information.
Buffalo Lake report
Coun. Janice Besuijen provided an update on the Buffalo Lake Management Team committee she attends. She stated that pumping between the lakes remains suspended due to invasive species concerns.
Besuijen reported the Gull Lake Watershed Society has completed a hydrology study and a package will be ready to go out when a plan for public engagement is approved; an open house is tentatively planned.
During discussion Besuijen told her peers that Gull Lake watershed assumptions turned out to be wrong and apparently there is a push to get pumping again with some of that effort stemming from the fact some boat launches weren’t able to be put into the water this summer.
She noted Buffalo Lake continues to sit at a low level. “Buffalo Lake water level is at 780.25, 35 cm below pump trigger and 60 cm below target elevation,” noted Besuijen’s report.
New auditor
The CAO reported the village’s official auditor provided notice they will no longer be able to audit the municipality’s finances. While the auditor blamed the decision on staffing levels, White noted that more onerous auditor work mandated by the provincial government, including asset retirement complexities, may have played a factor.
White wondered if this is going to become a trend across the province as auditors balk at doing the complicated, detailed work of municipal audits.
Province’s integrity
In her regular report to council the CAO reported that it looks likely the Government of Alberta will create a provincial integrity commissioner for municipal issues. It was stated such an integrity commissioner would possibly be an extension of Alberta’s ombudsman but would investigate claims that municipal code of conduct violations occurred.
A suggestion for municipalities to review their code of conduct bylaws was set aside while the province decides what it wants to do with the integrity commissioner idea.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review