Village Council Notes

Mill Rate Reduced Due To Higher Property Value Assessments.

All councillors and CAO McKinnon were present at the regular Village Council meeting last Tuesday, April 7, at 3:20pm in the Village office where Council gave all three required readings to Property Tax Rate Bylaw 38/08. The residential tax rate decreased 1.5% from 2008 (7.2% from 2007) to 11.387 while the non residential tax rate decreased 1.4% from 2008 (6.2%) to 14.123. The reduction for both residential and non-residential properties is largely attributable to increases in the assessment for residential properties. Properties in the village were given a “Total Live Assessment” of $37,363,410. Municipal property taxes account for $348,660.50 (27%) of the Village's $1,269.517.40 operating budget for 2009.

Board Reports
Mayor Cudmore, reporting from the Library Board, spoke about ongoing heaving problems of the concrete pad in front of the library's main entrance doors.

Deputy Mayor Nielsen, reporting from Rocky Senior Housing noted a long standing waiting list of 30 people who are in need of accommodation. Expansion of existing facilities in Rocky is scheduled to begin in September.

She said that the Rocky Solid Waste Authority is looking at ways of dealing with the disposal of old toilets and cardboard waste. And, while Caroline's waste transfer station is in good shape, others in the area are not and are in need of maintenance.

Councillor Pryor, reporting from the Clearwater Regional FCSS Board, had attended a workshop setting goals for the next two years.

Ambulance Is Under Provincial Umbrella
The Village received a letter from the Caroline and District Volunteer Ambulance Service informing Council that the service is now operating under the umbrella of Alberta Health Services, canceling any written of verbal contracts or agreements with the Village of Caroline. Councillor Van Dijk asked questions about the ownership of the present ambulance building and municipal taxes. CAO McKinnon undertook to look into these matters.