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East Central Alberta R 72 pt
60 pt
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Targeting East Central Alberta
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Volume 105 No. 12 www.ECAreview.com
48 pt
36 pt
Your favourite source for news and entertainment in 30 pt EastR Central Alberta, reaching 90 communities weekly
Residents pack Alix council meeting for answers, start petition to Municipal Affairs Lisa Joy
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24 pt
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18 pt
“That was $600,047 more than the next highest in the comparison group. That does not include the cost of living increase for 2015, or the cost of living increase in the 2016 interim budget.” Alix spending on parks and recre-
She suggested the village follow Lacombe County’s lead and consider capping recreational spending. Solterman said she is bringing this information to council now before they complete their 2016 budget
“Better yet, council could cut taxes to make Alix more inviting to newcomers, which brings me to the An Alix resident speaking to council solutions for stagnant growth.” against rising taxes and utility rates She pointed out that nearby comwas applauded by about 15 people munities, such as Bashaw, Clive, packed into the tiny vilDelburne, Donalda, lage office. Lacombe and Stettler Vicki Solterman told have experienced council, at its regular growth but Alix’s meeting March 16, that growth is stagnant. Alix collected more “There are solutions than $1.5 million in to stagnant growth and taxes – the highest high taxes. You just amount of taxes colneed the courage to lected of all the 91 make good choices and villages in Alberta in this tough time in except Alberta Beach. Alberta, the residents “Alix also collected and businesses of Alix more (taxes) than 32 would appreciate a towns in Alberta,” she reduction in taxes.” added. Solterman said the And if the village only village should promote collected half the tax Moonwalkers as a busithat it currently does, ness incubator as it was it’s still more taxes coloriginally intended, lected by a village than adding that it loses Alix councillors Jody Widmann and Gordon Christensen listen to Acting CAO Tanya Meston as villagers wait for their opportunity money every year. She 82 per cent of the vilto address council over several concerns they have. ECA Review/L. Joy also suggested council lages in the province. Solterman shared ask village residents information from Municipal Affairs ation high, says resident. deliberations. for suggestions. More residents voice concerns and other villages in Alberta of similar She said Alix spent $817,876 on parks “The Village of Alix does not have a Other Alix residents voiced their size to Alix. and recreation, adding that the next revenue problem as much as it has a opinions to council on issues ranging “Besides collecting the most taxes of highest recreation expenditure by a spending problem,” said Solterman. from the village’s deficit, transparsimilar sized communities, the Village village was Mannville and they She suggested the village put away ency of council and future plans for of Alix also collects the most in franmanage a golf course. some of the taxes collected from the Moonwalkers, to how they feel chise fees.” “Even with the golf course expenses, malting plant into reserves for future She said the Village of Alix spent Mannville’s recreation losses before infrastructure upgrades, or offset what council doesn’t treat them well when they attend meetings. more than $1.88 million on salaries amortization were $58,238. Alix’s she called “our extremely high water, Turn to It’s rude, Pg 2 and contracted services in 2014. losses on recreation were $475,758.” sewer and garbage bills.
ECA Review reporter
INDEX
Real Estate/Homes ������������� 2 Morrin council �������������������� 3 Dining & Entertainment ����� 4 Bashaw council ������������������ 5 Obituaries �������������������������� 8 Delia school ���������������������16 RCMP �������������������������������17 Prairie Land schools ���������18 Stettler town council ��������19 Classifieds/Careers ���� 21 - 22 Clearview schools �������������23 Castor town council ����������24
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