Rocky Mountain House town council is hoping to bring several issues to the attention of the municipal affairs minister this fall.
This week, town council unanimously agreed to request a meeting with Minister Dan Williams at the upcoming ABMunis conference, set to convene in Calgary Nov. 12-14.
The topics are generally related to how provincial policy affects growth in Alberta’s smaller communities:
- Grant money for policing
- Collection of education tax
- Social and health care funding
- Aging infrastructure in small communities
Grant Money for Policing
Council heard that the provincial government provides a grant to the town to assist with policing costs. This is a base amount of $300,000 plus $8 per capita. However, the town says it’s received this same amount since 2008 without an increase.
It adds, increases in policing costs over this time period has resulted in property tax increases.
A report presented to council showed that if the base police grant kept up to inflation, it would be $425,447 today versus the $300,000 currently received.
Council plans to ask the minister that this be reviewed within the government and adjusted to reflect current police costs.
Collection of Education Taxes
Already a significant topic of interest for council, the town will be bringing a resolution to ABMunis for the province to separate the provincial education tax from residents’ property tax notice.
In addition, the town will be speaking to the minister about municipalities being compensated for other services rendered to the province, such as property tax assessments.
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Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) and health care funding
The province funds 80 per cent of FCSS to assist with social issues and programs within the town and region.
The town also provides $74,000 annually to non-profit groups that provide a health service.
It’s asking the province to expand the FCSS mandate to include non-profit health providers, which in turn is expected to reduce the financial impact on taxpayers.
The move is also meant to reinforce the town’s conviction that health care is a provincial responsibility and jurisdiction.
Aging infrastructure in small communities
Acting Mayor Len Phillips says Rocky Mountain House is the perfect example of the infrastructure deficit facing many small communities.
Many buildings in small communities built in the 70s and 80s are approaching their end-of-life cycle, he says, and overcoming the infrastructure deficit will likely require provincial assistance.
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