Redcliff Town Council meeting briefs from May 13

Posted on May 31, 2024 by Ryan Dahlman

By Heather Cameron
Commentator/Courier

The following are selected briefs from the Town of Redcliff Council meeting that took place on May 13.

Bylaw No. 1972/2024 Tax Rate Bylaw 2024 – All Readings

Administration brought Bylaw No. 1972/2024 – Tax Rate Bylaw 2024 to Council, explaining that the 2024 Final Operating Budget was approved at the April 22, 2024, Council meeting. The Municipal Government Act, Administration stated, requires that Council pass an annual tax rate bylaw to raise revenues to be used toward payment of expenditures and transfers approved in the annual budget. 

The four major components in the Tax Rate Bylaw are presented as follows, Administration stated: Municipal Tax Levy: $6,418,407. Administration explained that there is a 4.27 per cent increase from the 2023 municipal tax levy, a $262,693 increase from $6,155,714 to $6,418,407. 

School Requisitions: $2,341,608 The Town, Administration said, collects the school requisition and disburses it back into the school system on behalf of the province. Administration explained that here is a 7.02 per cent increase from the 2023 requisition, a $153,496 increase from $2,188,112 to $2,341,608, Administration stated. 

Cypress View Foundation Requisition: $101,126. Administration explained that there is a 5.91per cent increase from the 2023 requisition, a $5,645 increase from $95,481 to $101,126. 

Designated Industrial Properties (DIP): $963 DIP is an additional tax levy with a mill rate set by the province to recover the cost of centralization of DIP assessments and it is only paid by the DIP’s assessed person, Administration stated, and there was no significant change to the DIP for 2024. Administration also provided Council with information regarding Municipal Tax Levies from 2020 through 2024 for comparison purposes with respect to the total amount collected from each assessment class and the percent of municipal taxes collected from each assessment class, as well as information on the Total Assessments from 2020 through 2024 for comparison purposes and reflects the assessments moving from the annexation to the Municipal Assessment.

A motion was made to give Bylaw No. 1972/2024 Tax Rate Bylaw 2024 first reading and the motion was carried. Councillor Chris Czember then made a motion to give Bylaw No. 1972/2024 Tax Rate Bylaw 2024 second reading and the motion was carried. A motion was then made for Council to unanimously approve giving Bylaw No. 1972/2024 Tax Rate Bylaw 2024 third reading and the motion was carried. Councillor James Allen finally made a motion to give Bylaw No. 1972/2024 Tax Rate Bylaw 2024 third reading and the motion was carried.

Bylaw No. 1973/2024 Residential Tax Incentive Bylaw

Administration brought forth Bylaw No. 1973/2024 Residential Tax Incentive Bylaw, stating that this bylaw is in response to direction from Council to bring forth a program that will help stimulate development within the Town, and help with the noted housing shortage in Southeastern Alberta. Administration recommended that the Bylaw No. 1973/2024 Residential Tax Incentive Bylaw be given first reading and that a Non-Statutory Public Hearing be held on Monday, June 10, 2024, to ensure that the community may be heard regarding the incentive program, including the Residential Cash Incentive Policy. A motion was made that Council give first reading to Bylaw No. 1973/2024 Residential Tax Incentive Bylaw and that Administration also hold a Non-Statutory Public Hearing be held on Monday, June 10, 2024, and the motion was carried.

Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival – Sponsorship Request 

Administration explained to Council that they received an email April 19, 2024, from Pam Hodgkinson, Planning Team member with the Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival, and that email explained that 3rd Annual Festival is coming to Medicine Hat and area on May 23, 2024, and also inquired as to if the Town wished to participate either in kind or via a donation. Councillor Crozier ultimately made a motion that Council authorize a monetary donation up to $200 to the 3rd Annual Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival and the motion was carried.