The Community Services Board (CSB) will see a $500 bump in its 2013 budget.
During Irricana council meeting June 3, council unanimously agreed to transfer $500 from the Town’s water budget to the youth recreation budget to help pay for summer programs.
CAO Alvin Melton said the CSB is receiving less grant funding from provincial programs such as ACE Community Projects and ChooseWell as well as Rocky View County each year. The money is used by the board, in conjunction with the Irricana Agricultural Society, to provide summer recreation programs for youth, adults and families.
“The money has been clawed back,” said Melton, referring to annual grants.
“We thought we’d top some of that (missing money) up with some of the money we will save from fixing water lines,” he explained.
Last year, the Town repaired several leaky water lines in the ground and Melton thinks they will come in under budget for water costs.
“There’s no gain no loss here,” he said. “It’s just a transfer of money,” he explained.
Mayor Lisa Constantini and Councillor Wayne Niblow were absent.
Remuneration changes
Council approved amendments to the recent remuneration policy first approved during the May 21 meeting.
The new policy will see the monthly rate for the mayor increase from $700 per month to $900.
Councillors rate increase from $400 per month to $600.
During the June 3 meeting, councillors approved an effective start day of Jan. 1 2014, so the raise can start after the fall election and be part of the next budget.
Taxes waived
Council agreed to waive a $500 minimum tax from a land owner with an eight-acre parcel of land straddling the Town of Irricana and Rocky View County boundary.
The owner has more land within the county but has this small remainder of land within the Town boundaries.
CAO Alvin Melton said the minimum $500 was created to entice landowners to develop vacant land.
“This doesn’t meet that requirement,” said Deputy Mayor Larry Martin, who added the eight-acre parcel acts as more of a “buffer” between the county and town than anything else.
He motioned to waive the minimum fee. Council approved the request unanimously.
