Is our city council really making “Smart City” decisions when it comes to controlling debt and spending on projects wisely? The RMR budget should be top priority, but it relies on government grants. Mayor Heron, being a member of AUMA, I’m sure heard loud and clear from our provincial government representatives months ago that grants will not be flowing to municipalities as they were in the past because the province can’t afford to maintain existing levels of support. Municipalities were told to show great caution on what they spend on projects.
Servus Place has been a tax levy on our property taxes since 2005 and is $16.3 million in debt! Why? Franchise fees and other fees paid to the City of St. Albert are supposedly going directly to offset property taxes. But taxpayers are now facing a minimum 1.5 per cent tax increase starting in 2020 each year for the next three years and we all know this will be much higher than 1.5 per cent!
The not needed storefront library – our taxes are paying $279,000 for operating costs for the first year, which will definitely increase each year thereafter. A 10-year lease signed at $517,000 to get a good deal? A lot can happen in 10 years! This project will only provide very limited services and space for students to study. Why are 3.3 full-time staff going to be hired? Staff should be transferred from the main library, since less residents from the north end of St. Albert are coming to the main branch. Coun. Ken MacKay thinks that this is a good compromise for those of us who voted a resounding NO on the plebiscite. NO, it’s not a good compromise, because it is one more project that our taxes will be paying for! Did Councillor MacKay and Peter Bailey inform residents of North Ridge that there is no bus service from their area to Jensen Lakes or within Jensen Lakes? The bus stops at Walmart. This will be a long, cold and difficult walk from Walmart to the storefront library in our snowy winter months!
Council’s decision to start expropriation proceedings against Canterra Developments for 17.9 acres of land in Kingswood to build a park is a reckless one that will be extremely costly for taxpayers and could take years! I don’t see how any of the expropriation costs could ever be recouped. Previous councils made wise decisions not to pursue this. A park in this area faces dangerous access. Kirkwood Drive, which leads east onto this land, is used as a two-lane freeway with speeding vehicles, transit buses and school buses. Kingswood Blvd. which runs north and south alongside this property, is also a “speed for all” road. A park in this area is not warranted for the number of children who would use it as some Kingswood residences are close to 30 years old. There is something unique about this piece of property to keep it as is – it is one of two areas in St. Albert where residents can enjoy agriculture mixed in with residential. Adults and children see a crop seeded, mature, and harvested into huge, round bales. It is quite a calming and pleasurable experience. I have seen many families out in the field by the bales, and sometimes with their dogs, having a great time.
As a taxpayer, I want council to be very cautious about a new recreation facility. ACA’s agreement with the city to “chip in $20 million for the facility” makes me see more increases on my property tax notice which I don’t want or need! Paying for one rec facility which has been in the red since day one is enough. Council needs to get the “best bang for our buck”!
In a Jan. 5, 2019, Gazette article, Mayor Heron was quoted as saying “the goal for me is to always find new revenue rather than residential property taxes or business property taxes”. I hope she and Council are truly working towards this goal for the sake of us taxpayers.
Sylvia Bilsky, St. Albert
