Stu Salkeld, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
East Central Alberta Review
Big Valley village council approved an addition to their tax payment options, specifically a plan that allows property owners to pay off unpaid taxes monthly. The decision was made at the Feb. 10 regular meeting of council.
Readers should note the meeting was held a week earlier than normal due to the Family Day holiday on Feb. 17.
In a phone call to the ECA Review on Feb. 12 Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Colleen Mayne confirmed councillors approved changes to the existing tax collection bylaw to include a tax instalment payment plan for property owners who owe unpaid taxes to the village dating back two years or more.
It should be noted that payment plans exist for current property taxes, but the issue councillors were addressing is different: unpaid property taxes dating back a certain amount of time.
At a previous council meeting the CAO explained having a monthly option in place addresses two goals: giving property owners a way to pay off their balances and preventing the village from entering the tax recovery process.
That process, laid out in the Municipal Government Act (MGA), could result in the village taking ownership of property, takes years to complete and could include court appearances and legal fees for both sides.
Calling the new option the tax instalment payment plan (TIPP), councillors noted it is available to property owners who have unpaid property tax debts going back at least two years. It was noted that the option can be cancelled if the property owner in question misses a certain number of TIPP payments.
The CAO observed the plan became available as soon as councillors approved it, but any existing agreements the village already has with property owners that are similar to TIPP are now covered under the bylaw.
Street festival
Mayne noted councillors read a letter from organizers of the annual Big Valley Street Festival, which noted this year’s event is scheduled for July 19. Organizers requested the closure of certain streets to accommodate live entertainment, events and vendors.
The CAO stated councillors were in support of the event, but couldn’t pass a resolution yet as councillors didn’t have all the information they need.
The CAO noted she will contact street festival organizers and discuss emergency access with them.
FCSS grant
Councillors approved a grant of $2,000 from FCSS funds for the Big Valley Ag Society’s public skating and Puck and Stick program. It was noted this program has been granted funds in the past.
Mayne noted that the event’s goals and benefits to the community meet the provincial government guidelines for FCSS funds.
Parking issues
Mayne noted councillors and members of the public discussed parking issues that have crept up in Big Valley recently.
It was noted there have been instances of vehicles being parked in such a way that they block or partially block traffic lanes.
Some of it, Mayne noted, may have been complicated by piles of snow but one was alleged to have been a trailer left blocking part of a road.
During the discussion, the CAO noted that the Village of Big Valley technically does have a 72-hour parking limit in its bylaws that prohibits vehicles from being parked on a public street longer than that period.
It was decided that the village remind residents of these issues in the municipal newsletter.
