Bow Island reviews tax rates, community standards

By Anna Smith

Commentator/Courier

The Town of Bow Island was given the clear by this year’s audit, at the April 24 regular council meeting, alongside a look at some of the different taxes that help keep the town running.

Second and third reading of the Tax Rate Bylaw carried, which aimed to offset the potential costs of the new, higher assessment of town property by lowering the precise rate. While the exact amount varies for each kind of property, said CAO Dave Matz after the previous meeting, the hope is to help keep things relatively in line with previous years.

All three readings of the Water Maintenance Tax Bylaw were put forward and carried, putting the bylaw into motion. Like the Special Dust Tax, this is a standard fee that comes forward every year.

The special tax will be the amount of $1.25 per front foot and will be assessed, levied and collected as part of and together with the municipal taxes of the Town of Bow Island, according to the bylaw.

The first reading of the Community Standards Bylaw, which governs nuisances and untidy or unsightly properties, was passed, with several edits made to be brought back for next meeting.

Some highlights included a new definition for some issues, such as the presence of weeds or cars that had fallen into disrepair. 

Council made a motion to engage the Rural Development Network to perform a Housing Needs Assessment to be funded from the Residential Subdivision Reserve. It is the hope that this assessment will assist in the application for a grant.

Coun. Lyle Tuchscherer, Coun. Terrie Matz, and Mayor Gordon Reynolds were appointed to the Highway 3 Water Commission. Coun. Tuchscherer, Coun. Shannon Strom, and Mayor Reynolds were appointed to the Fire Department Liaison Committee, and Mayor Reynolds and Coun. Tuchscherer were appointed to the Palliser Economic Partnership.

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