(File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Local politics

R.M. of Prince Albert holds the line, no tax increase this year

May 16, 2020 | 9:16 AM

Ratepayers in the Rural Municipality (R.M.) of Prince Albert will not need to worry about a property tax this year.

The R.M.’s budget for 2020 was finalized at council’s meeting Thursday. Administrator Roxanne Roy explained to paNOW there was no reason for council to raise taxes, given that the R.M. has received a significant boost in revenue sharing this year from the federal government.

“It’s close to the $90,000 mark,” she said.

Typically property tax notices go out in mid-July, and anyone who paid their taxes by the end of July received a seven per cent discount. For each month after, the discount decreases by one per cent, eventually down to zero by December.

However this year, council has approved a resolution extending the seven per cent discount offering to Oct. 31.

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“Because of what is going on with this COVID, council felt the need to do something back for our rate payers.” Roy said.

Roy reminded ratepayers the increase in revenue sharing is a direct reflection of the data contained in the census. She said she hopes it encourages more people in the future to fill out the census.

In terms of capital project planning this year, those details are still being worked out by council. Roy confirmed one item on the priority list is the completion of work on Russtan Road.

At their meeting Thursday, all members of council were present and voted with the exception of Div. 5 councillor Wayne Acorn.

Other council notes

The R.M. council has passed a bylaw that deals with drainage and pumping.

Roy explained the R.M. has received several complaints of people illegally pumping or digging holes on their private properties without the R.M.’s permission. Residents who fail to abide by the new bylaw will face a financial penalty.

The cost for a first offence is $300, and jumps up to $500 for a third offence, and every offence incurred thereafter.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca