A $3-million assessment loss has netted a tax increase for Beiseker residents.
While actual spending is only up one per cent, individual residential taxes will increase an average of 4.5 per cent due to the 3.4 per cent loss in overall assessment.
In total, the Village expects to spend $2,738,839 in 2012. Revenue other than taxation, such as grants, is estimated to be $1,626,871, leaving a balance of $1,111,968 to be collected through taxation.
The 2012 mill rate bylaw was passed unanimously, setting residential at 8.680 mills and non-residential at 9.050 mills.
Library relocated
Councillor Karen Ursu informed council the library has moved to its new location in the Community Links building and the Internet is up and running.
The move has been in the works for several years and is a win-win situation for Beiseker as the space the library previously occupied in the Village office can now be used for municipal purposes, said Ursu.
The Village is looking for a sponsor to buy a new sign for the library. Administration will be approaching FortisAlberta to see if they are interested.
Trucking water
Council unanimously moved to bill Aqua 7 for a portion of the cost of trucking water into the village during the recent water shut down.
In a bid to make sure there was enough water in town should a fire break out, council trucked 385 cubic metres of water from Airdrie at a cost of $11,392.
Aqua 7 will be billed for the entire cost over and above what Beiseker would normally pay for 385 cubic metres of water.
In a related matter, Beiseker’s ongoing program to make sure there is no water being lost through leakage is paying off, as the May water bill from Aqua 7 was reduced by half, resulting in savings of about $20,000 per month for the Village.
Firehall
Beiseker will find out this week when its firehall will be ready for use. A building was delivered in May, but it is not suitable for the existing foundation.
A decision will have to be made whether to replace the foundation, or bring in a different building.
If it is determined the equipment must be moved, the insurer has agreed to pay for the cost of a temporary structure.
The Richter family has offered space on their farm near the village should this be necessary.
Extra staffing
Council has agreed to increase office staff time by up to two days per week. Current staff will be offered the opportunity before it is advertised. Currently there are one full-time and two part-time positions in the office.
Reports
• Mayor Ray Courtman reported that he received a number of compliments about how great the village looked on Sports Day, June 9, and thanked public works for their extra attention to detail. He also commented that workers worked tirelessly to make the day such a success.
• A letter of appreciation will be sent to Chris Heighton for organizing the annual car show. Courtman noted that the event brings a lot of visitors to town. The Beiseker Lions will also receive a letter from the Village thanking them for consistently providing Beiseker with this outstanding summer event.
• Mayor Courtman informed council that during Question Period at the Legislature, MLA Bruce Rowe asked questions relating to Aqua 7 of the minister of environment and sustainable resource development, the minister of transportation and the minister of municipal affairs. All three indicated their willingness to help Aqua 7 find a solution to the high cost of water for area consumers. The session can be viewed on YouTube by searching for “Question Period May 31 2012 Bruce Rowe.”
• Artist Brenda Campbell will be meeting with the Station Museum Society this week as Beiseker hopes to paint a couple of murals in town. Campbell has spearheaded many murals in Irricana and some have been featured in prominent magazines including Our Canada.
• Council unanimously agreed to have a Town Hall meeting in September or October, when residents will be encouraged to ask questions and offer suggestions to the Village. This could become an annual event.
• Councillor Fred Walters presented a line drawing of the proposal for moving the Station House from Bassano. The train museum has contracted with an alternate mover as it became apparent that the agreement with the original mover was not working out. Mammoet Canada is proposing moving the 626,000-pound building in one piece on a 24 line, 10-feet wide Scheuerle trailer with 48 wheels. The date of the move has yet to be determined.
The next meeting of Beiseker council meeting is June 25 at 7:30 pm. The public is welcome.
