A request from a Carlton Park family who wanted to lease a small piece of city park space to add to their backyard was decided by a single vote on Monday night. Council denied the ask 5-4, in part over concerns it would lead to deluge of similar requests.
The family wanted to rent the 2,789 sq. ft. parcel beside their property and fence it off to create a play area for their children. Currently, they felt the area was unsafe because of traffic on the nearby street. A rate proposed by the city’s department of planning would have seen them pay $500 annually for a five-year term. Any construction on the parcel – apart from a fence – would have been prohibited.
Prince Albert city council has approved a new tax to fund additional police officers and rejected a proposed amendment that would have lessened the financial burden on non-profit housing agencies.
The $35 annual base tax will be applied to all properties in the city. Multi-unit residential properties would be charged per unit. The tax is expected to generate $554,505 in 2021, enough to hire four more police officers.
The police base tax was approved as part of the 2021 property tax bylaw, which also saw council increase the minimum tax by $100.
On Monday night, council heard concerns from Brian Howell of Riverbank Development Corporation who said the new police base tax would hurt affordable housing providers who can’t afford to raise their clients’ rents. Howell said he would prefer to see increases go through the general mill rate so the amount properties pay is proportionate to their assessed value.
Council gives final approval to new $35 base tax, rejects amendment to reduce amount for non-profit housing providers
Prince Albert City Hall. Herald File Photo
Prince Albert city council voted 8-1 in favour of passing the 2021 Property Tax Bylaw, which includes a new $35 base tax to fund four new sworn officer positions with the Prince Albert Police Force.
They also rejected an amendment that would have seen Prince Albert’s non-profit housing corporations pay a reduced amount.
Mayor Greg Dionne said residents made it loud and clear during the last election that crime was their number one concern, and paying for more police officers is one of several ways they’re looking to address the problem.
Council considers $100 increase to minimum tax panow.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from panow.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Council passes first two readings of new property tax bylaw despite concerns from landlords and non-profit housing groups
Saskatchewan Landlords Association (SLA) CEO Cameron Choquette speaks to Prince Albert city council during a meeting on April 14, 2021. – Jason Kerr/Daily Herald
A new property tax bylaw that includes a $35 base tax to pay for four new police officers passed the first two readings on Monday despite concerns from the Saskatchewan Landlords Association (SLA) and local non-profit housing groups that the tax would unfairly target them.
Council approved the first two readings by a 7-2 margin after more than one hour of discussion and debate. The third and final reading is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at City Hall.