Rocky View County (RVC) council unanimously approved to sign the RCMP Enhanced Policing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Airdrie Rural Response Area on March 11.
The MOU authorizes a policing position to be stationed with the Airdrie Rural RCMP detachment, a position that is paid by the County.
The position will cost the County $145,000 over two years and is included in the base budget.
This is the second MOU between the Airdrie Rural RCMP detachment and the County.
“We shouldn’t be using tax dollars to police provincial highways,” Balzac Councillor Lois Habberfield said. “(The policing position) needs to be more present in Rocky View County. (Policing the highways) is not what were trying to achieve with this position.”
This position is not strictly designated to traffic duties, administration explained, but added the officer will help with policing operations within the Airdrie Rural detachment. The position was approved and is effective immediately.
The Airdrie Rural detachment and the new position will cover areas including Crossfield and Balzac.
Farm Family Award
RVC council unanimously approved the 2014 Master Farm Family Award be presented to the farm family recommended by administration.
The award and the recipient is expected to be announced this summer on July 18.
The Master Farm Family Award has been presented annually since 1989 and recognized families within RVC who show excellence in the areas of community involvement, agriculture business and industry involvement, team farm management and technical farm practices.
Last year’s recipients were Allen and Shanna Jones of the Jones Hereford Ranch south of Calgary near Balzac and Priddis.
Late tax penalties denied
RVC council unanimously agreed to deny a request to remove a late tax penalty of $835.50 from a local RVC ratepayer for s late tax payment in 2013.
Administration said that tax notices were mailed out on May, 24 2013 to the ratepayer in the amount of $6,962.46 which were due by June 30 2013.
A 12 per cent penalty was applied on July 1, 2013 in the amount of $835.50.
A tax payment was received by cheque on Aug. 13 through mail.
A letter was sent from the ratepayer to administration requesting penalty be reviewed.
“The timelines and facts were received as per policy #204 and the request was subsequently denied as the payment for taxes has not been received by the County prior to June 30, 2013,” the report stated.
