ST. PAUL – Residents of the Hamlet of Riverview have successfully petitioned to block a proposed tax aimed at helping the Government of Alberta pay $81,000 for newly installed natural gas connections to eight residents at the area, also leading to County of St. Paul council defeating a related borrowing bylaw.
When the nearby Windsor Salt plant shut down a few years ago, residents at the hamlet lost the existing natural gas supply.
In response, the Alberta government and APEX Utilities installed new gas connections for eight residents who did not switch to propane or other fuel sources as alternatives.
“Following the installation, the province had requested support from the County of St. Paul to support the collection of a connection fee for the residents,” reads the County’s March 11 council meeting agenda.
To cover the costs, the Government of Alberta asked the County of St. Paul for help, requesting the County borrow $81,000 from the provincial government, and the County levy that money from the eight residents through a Local Improvement Tax.
A borrowing bylaw would have to be passed, and council approved the first reading of “Bylaw 2025-01" during the Jan. 27 council meeting.
However, under the Municipal Government Act (MGA), residents had the right to petition against the bylaw within 30 days of being given notice. The residents were successful in that petition.
“Given that it was sufficient under the [MGA], County council is not able to move forward to [a] local improvement plan for a minimum of one year,” explained County of St. Paul CAO Jason Wallsmith, speaking to council.
Wallsmith said two thirds of the residents, representing 50 per cent of the assessed property value, petitioned against the tax. It was enough people, as per the MGA, to block passing the tax for a year.
Coun. Darrell Younghans, as per procedure, made a motion to approve the second reading of the borrowing bylaw, so council could defeat it. The motion was defeated.
Under the MGA, council can revisit the tax proposal after the one-year waiting period. However, for now, the affected residents at Riverview will not be required to pay a levy.
