Special council meeting called for May 24
Council will convene for a special meeting on Tuesday, May 24 to discuss a tax over levy after it was revealed the municipality could face a $50,000 deficit in 2016.
The issue was hastily added to council鈥檚 agenda, May 17, because four commercial properties in town recently appealed their tax assessment.
According to Natasha Malenchak, the director of finance, the four properties were assessed at $4.1 million and if the appeals are successful the municipality could lose out on $50,000 in taxes which would have to be covered by taxpayers.
To remedy the situation she presented council with two options in the form of bylaws.
The first bylaw she presented would not alter the tax increase approved in this year's budget, but this could leave the municipality open to a $50,000 shortfall if all four appeals are successful.
The second bylaw she presented included a small tax rate increase to cover the potential revenue lost and if there is any left over money it will be used to off set taxes next year.
Adding pressure to the situation, a decision must be made before June 15 because tax assessments must be legally sent out 30 days before they鈥檙e due, which is July 15.
A large part of the discussion hinged on the tax split between commercial and residential taxpayers and who should pay for the shortfall. Currently commercial properties pay 5.1 times the amount in municipal taxes compared to residential properties.
Council passed the first reading of the bylaw by a vote of 4-1 and will discuss the second reading of the bylaw during a special council meeting on May 24, at noon. Meetings are held upstairs at the emergency services building.
Skateboard and bike park locations approved
Municipal council unanimously approved two locations to build a permanent skateboard park and mountain bike park in the community, May 17.
The skateboard park will be rebuilt where it鈥檚 currently located, between the Jasper Activity Centre and the town鈥檚 tennis courts, and the bike park will be built in the woods across from Mount Robson Inn.
With the approval, the Jasper Skate Park Committee and the Jasper Park Cycling Association will be able to move forward with their plans and begin applying for grants so they can build the appropriate infrastructure and features.
The only stipulation with the bike park is that it is located in an area zoned residential so if there are any future housing proposals in that area housing will be given first priority.
Council approves four-way stop
Attention drivers: the intersection of Geikie Street and Miette Avenue will soon become a four-way stop.
The new traffic calming measures will compliment the construction and redesign of the intersection to slow drivers down and make the intersection safer for pedestrians.
In addition to the new stop signs, there will also be new cross walk paint and signs warning drivers about the changes.
It鈥檚 not clear when the stop signs will be installed, but the tender for the painting has already gone out and is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
