Residential property assessments in the Town of Bonnyville have continued to take a hit.
"When comparing the 2017 to 2018 assessment, they decreased by eight per cent," explained Bob Daudelin, assessment specialist for Accurate Assessment Group Ltd., the Sherwood Park firm tasked with assessing properties in town.
He noted during council's regular meeting on Tuesday, March 26, assessments can changed based on two factors: growth, and marketing inflation or deflation, depending on the year.
Property assessments are conducted annually to assign a dollar value to a property for taxation purposes. The classes include residential, non-residential, farmland, and designated industrial properties.
According to Daudelin, 88 per cent, or around 2,612, of taxable properties should expect a one to 25 per cent decrease in assessment. That dip would result in the bulk of properties dropping in value anywhere from $1,000 to $200,000.
As a result, the mill rate will have to go up in order to accommodate the assessment findings.
"We'll have to increase the mill rate residentially and commercially to offset the decrease in the assessment," noted CAO Mark Power. "Everybody's taxes, on average, will stay the same, but the ones that go up by more than the average will see an increase and the ones that go down more will see a decrease."
Check back for more.
Bingo asks for help
The Bonnyville Bingo Association reached out to the town in hopes of getting assistance in securing a new location.
"We're in lease negotiations for a place here in town," noted Candice Brideau, bingo association president. "Just renovations alone is going to cost us $140,000, which, in turn, increases the club fees because they're ultimately who's going to be paying for this. We can secure funds for renovations if we have a guarantor."
Renovations being made to the association's current location at the Agriplex means bingo is in a time crunch, especially after previous members "dropped the ball," noted bookkeeper Susan Turner.
"The people who started looking for a new building when we got the notice that the C2 lease wasn't going to be renewed were the wrong people," she added.
While they didn't disclose the new location due to ongoing negotiations, in order to move ahead the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) must approve the proposed premise.
In order to move ahead with a new location, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) must approve it.
Mayor Gene Sobolewski suggested a temporary solution to bingo relocating before the improvements can be made.
"Is there a way to interim in the new location? Say, for example, with porta potties or something like that, to at least be able to accommodate the numbers that you're doing. It may not be a pretty situation, because there may be a conflict here where there may not be a bingo operating."
He encouraged the organization to exhaust all of their options and to talk to the AGLC about what they would need in order to move to the new building.
Check back for the full story.
Council donates to local causes
The town voted in favour of making contributions to the Aurora Visual Arts Association, and to sponsor the Bonnyville and District Oil and Gas Show, and supporting the Indian Relay Races.
They donated $500 for the Aurora Visual Arts Association's upcoming event Bonnyville ArtVenture, which will be taking place at the Centennial Centre on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5.
Coun. Chad Colbourne, who sits on the C2 board, stated the group has also already received financial support to help to cover rental fees.
"They've booked all of the classrooms in case they get everything booked, so it could be a $3,900 bill. We approved... that we would do up to $2,500 in free rent."
In the 2019 interim budget, the town included $10,000 for the Oil and Gas show.
Council also agreed to host a barbecue after learning Kehewin Cree Nation is hosting the Indian Relay Races at the Bonnyville Rodeo Grounds from Friday, May 18 to Saturday, May 19.
The finer details aren't available just yet, but the town hopes to host a welcome meal on the Friday of the event.
Splash Pad washroom construction moving ahead
Construction of a permanent bathroom at the Splash Pad was awarded to Vasseur Construction Ltd. at a cost of $175,000.
The town had included $150,000 in their 2019 interim budget to put toward the project, and will take $25,000 out of the trail lighting reserve to cover the remaining cost and for contingency. The company will design and build the washrooms.
Brad Trimble, director of public works, noted the price tag is close to what was predicted.
"When we got the prices originally, they were quite high and we spent a lot of time cutting from that. We got it down as low as we could without completely destroying it... But, we couldn't get it any lower," he said.
The washroom will be open during the summer, will feature a water bottle filling station and a mural on three sides of it.
While a location was chosen in order to get estimates, where it will actually go will be determined by the town's planning department with the Canada Day committee.
