Clive village council heard property in the village has become more valuable year-over-year. The revelation was made at the March 11 regular meeting of council.
During the regular report of Village Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Carla Kenney the provincial government’s recently announced 2024 budget was discussed; Kenney brought up several points that will affect Clive taxpayers including provincial taxes.
She noted the province’s education tax, collected and calculated from property owners to fund the education system, remained at the same flat rate as last year, but added property assessments in Clive increased meaning property owners will in effect see an increase.
The CAO noted such increases actually affect Clive’s ability to raise taxes, as Kenney stated there is only one taxpayer and if they already experience a hike through provincial taxes, it behooves the village council to leave the local tax rate “as-is.”
However, the CAO noted she didn’t anticipate a tax increase in the 2024 budget.
Kenney also noted the Government of Alberta’s Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) hasn’t kept pace with either inflation nor population growth.
Breathing room
Kenney reported the municipal budget looks to have a bit more breathing room in it: about $60,000.
She stated the village’s investments have reaped higher rewards, adding there will be about $30,000 more investment dollars coming in.
Councillors also discussed other items that were inadvertently boosting the budget a bit, including funds set aside for projects that weren’t undertaken.
The CAO noted the extra revenue could be placed in the sewer reserve account; such dollars are used to repair unexpected water and sewer line failures and prevent for example the village having to go into debt to pay for such repairs.
RCMP report
Councillors read the regular report submitted by the village’s police provider, Blackfalds RCMP detachment.
It was noted by RCMP that break and enters in the service area were down by 35.7 per cent over last year same time, while theft of motor vehicles was down 23.1 per cent over the same period.
The Blackfalds detachment saw two motor vehicle thefts in February while there were seven break and enters in that time period; three involved businesses.
Total property crime year-over-year was down by 4.9 per cent while total persons crimes, which include charges like assault and uttering threats, were down by 33.3 per cent.
Theft under $5,000 jumped a bit though, with police noting such reports increased year-over-year by 17.2 per cent.
Councillors accepted the report as information.
Mayor’s report
Mayor Lucy Henry reported participating in a recent regional police meeting with Blackfalds detachment, Lacombe County CPOs and other partners to discuss police priorities.
During the meeting police discussed an ongoing issue with thieves targeting ATMs in rural areas.
The mayor stated she told the RCMP councillors appreciate the regular updates.
Village updates
Kenney stated the heavy snow on the first weekend of March was handled well by the village’s Public Works staff; overall, snow removal went well. She also noted a few requests from the public to remove windrows of snow were received.
The village received a complaint of an abandoned vehicle on VanEaton Way; the complaint was forwarded to the village’s community peace officers (CPOs).
It was noted two utility meters require work.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
