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Millet recognizes county budget concerns

A letter of concern regarding linear assessments, sent from the County of Wetaskiwin and addressed...
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Town of Millet office on Hwy #2A.

A letter of concern regarding linear assessments, sent from the County of Wetaskiwin and addressed to Minister of Municipal Affairs Danielle Larivee, was received and recently discussed by Millet town council during its Nov. 23 meeting.

The letter implores the ministry to take into account budget funds the county lost in 2016 and will lose in 2017 due to proposed assessment year modifiers for linear assessment.

“Please consider out position, prior to the finalization of policy decisions regarding this matter. We thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on an issue of such importance,” states the letter, written by Reeve Kathy Rooyakkers on behalf of the County of Wetaskiwin.

In 2016 the adjusted rate caused a reduction of $550,000 in the municipal operations, representing a three per cent decrease in the county’s annual budget. For 2017 the proposed changes would result in a $1 million reduction, leading to an additional drop of more than 5.5 per cent in the budget.

“In order to recoup this loss in the residential base, an increase of 28 per cent in the residential municipal tax rate would be required,” the letter stated.

Town of Millet mayor Tony Wadsworth says the town must recognize, in the future, the county will probably be looking for partners in mutually beneficial projects because proposed policy amendments.