Residents of McNutt Subdivision are asking Clearwater County to look into the possibility of annexing their neighbourhood, citing higher municipal taxes and a lack of services from the Town of Rocky Mountain House.
Jessica Moncrieff, speaking on behalf of subdivision residents, appeared before Clearwater County council Tuesday to present the proposal. She said the 44-property subdivision — located on approximately 60 acres on the east end of town — pays nearly $250,000 annually in property taxes but receives minimal services in return.
“The McNutt subdivision is not supplied with sewer, water, fire hydrants, high speed Internet, or even paved roads,” said Moncrieff, a lifelong Rocky resident and nurse. “The residents are afforded the service of garbage, recycle and compost pickup, which is paid for monthly in addition to property taxes.”
McNutt Subdivision resident Jessica Moncrieff speaks before Clearwater County council May 27, 2025. (Clearwater County/YouTube)
The subdivision, annexed into Rocky Mountain House in 1981, also sees higher insurance costs, says Moncrieff, due to the lack of fire hydrants.
Roads in the subdivision are maintained with a form of dust control known as SB90 — work that Moncrieff said is performed by the county under an agreement with the town.
Moncrieff told council that during attempts to advocate for tax relief from the town — including a request for a residential “sub-class” — they were told their taxes could actually increase if such a request were granted.
As an example, Moncrieff says if residents wanted paved roads as in town, the “local improvement tax” cost to each resident would be an additional $2,000 per year for the next 25 years in addition to their existing property taxes.
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“The residents are not asking for any additional services, just for taxation on what we receive”, said Moncrieff.
CAO Rick Emmons cautioned council that reversing an annexation — having an urban area return to rural — is rare, and could be challenged under provincial rules designed to avoid perceived “tax grabs.”
Coun. Neil Ratcliffe said such a risk would be unlikely— as $250,000 in tax additional revenue is negligible.
“It may not make a big difference to the county, but it makes a huge difference to them.” said Coun. Genny Mehlhaff. “It’s them who are impacted, and that’s why they’re here asking.
McNutt Subdivision (Clearwater County council package)
Ratcliffe drew comparisons to the Ferrier area east of Rocky, an area where residents lack services such as street lights and take garbage to waste transfer sites themselves— but also pay lower taxes.
The town hosted an open house on the matter in September 2024 and sent surveys to 48 households in and around McNutt. According to town records, many respondents reported enjoying the quiet location but also raised concerns about winter road maintenance and high insurance costs due to the absence of fire hydrants.
While no decision on the annexation was made Tuesday, council said more information on taxation comparisons, potential legal costs, and similar subdivisions in the county would be gathered to help assess the request.
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