On May 21, council refused a request from the Irricana and District Agricultural Society (AS) to waive a hefty late penalty fee for their March 1 to April 20, 2013 water bill.
“I think it’s an unfortunate situation,” said Deputy Mayor Larry Martin.
The bill jumped from $162.95 for January to February, to $3,600.22 for March to April.
The increase was due in part to a problem in the Town’s water consumption tracking system that resulted in the January to February bill being based off an estimate of 27 cubic metres of water being consumed, when the actual reading was 2,492.7 cubic metres.
The consumption increase was found to be due to malfunctioning toilet that was left running for an undetermined amount of time.
“With only an estimate on the last bill due to systems being down, there was no way of knowing of this situation until we received the current bill,” wrote AS Treasurer Shauna Bushfield in a request to waive the penalty.
The building is leased to the AS from the Town and concerns came about from council because the Town’s Water Utility Bylaw clearly outlines a penalty fee for late payments.
“Yikes, slippery slope guys,” Martin said when the request was brought before council.
Ultimately, it was decided council could not go against a Town bylaw and waive the penalty of $324.02, which will increase each month until the bill is paid.
However, Mayor Lisa Constintini asked for CAO Alvin Melton to look into the Town paying a rental fee in the amount of the penalty fee for the use of the recreation centre floor during the summer. Melton said he would bring information on a rental fee to council for the next regular meeting.
Seniors’ Week
Council unanimously voted to make the week of June 3 to June 9 Seniors’ Week in support of a declaration from the Provincial Government.
“In honour of the past, present and future contributions of the seniors of this community and throughout Alberta, I do hereby proclaim June 3 to 9, 2013, to be Seniors’ Week,” said Constantini.
C.O.P.
In his report to council, Melton informed council Beiseker Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.) is inviting Irricana residents to join their team.
C.O.P. currently patrols Norm’s Stop and Go within the Town and Melton said they would like to join forces with Irricana to become a larger, stronger group.
Those interested are invited to C.O.P.’s next meeting on June 12 at the Beiseker Community Centre.
