McNutt Subdivision residents’ wishes to be annexed into Clearwater County have hit a roadblock, as county officials says its avenues are severely limited.

Legislative Services Coordinator Tracy Haight told council Tuesday there are “absolutely no achievable options” at this time. Under legislation, property taxes are excluded as grounds for annexation, Haight said, meaning wishes for lower taxes cannot justify the move.

Haight said: “annexation for the purpose of reducing property taxes for a few select residents living in another municipality cannot be justified, and therefore would not be accepted.”

She continued, taxation amounts as grounds for annexation would set a “dangerous precedent”, and could ultimately undermine collaboration and cooperation between municipalities

Public Works Director Kurt Magnus confirmed the county already shares certain services with the Town of Rocky Mountain House in a “you rub my back, I’ll rub yours” arrangement. That includes the county taking care of pothole repair, street sweeping and snow removal.

However, Haight added that an annexation could potentially proceed only if the town of Rocky Mountain House initiated the process. She pointed to Caroline’s recent amalgamation as a model: the village requested annexation first, effectively triggering the process.

–

RELATED

• • McNutt Subdivision residents inquire about Clearwater County annexation
  • Reeve Michelle Swanson optimistic about Caroline amalgamation

–

Councillors Neil Ratcliffe and Daryl Lougheed raised question about a variety of other options. Those include partial annexation or forming a separate hamlet or village within the county, but administration said these too, fell outside current legislative authority.

McNutt residents, who collectively pay about $250,000 annually in property tax yet lack services like water, sewer, street lighting, and fully paved roads, have argued their situation resembles a rural subdivision rather than an urban one. Their 44‑lot community was annexed into Rocky Mountain House in 1981 and residents argue it has since seen limited municipal support.

–

RELATED

• • Town considers property tax “sub-class” for McNutt Subdivision

–

In previous discussions, 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 potential added tax revenue for the county 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.

In the end, a motion directing county administration to explore alternatives was defeated.