Residents Question St. Albert’s City Budget



Posted: Thursday, December 10, 2009

by Patrick Milligan
Prudential Spencer Real Estate

St. Albert's 2010 municipal budget was called into question by a vociferous group of citizens at a November 9 town meeting.  Some 20 people in the audience at the Cornerstone Pentecostal Fellowship raised their concerns about the proposed "no-frills" budget.  A 2.8 percent increase in municipal property taxes for residences has been proposed, with a tax increase of $75 per year for homes with a value of $400,000.  Businesses would see an increase of 2.95 percent.  The tax increase for a business valued at approximately $900,000 would be $291 each year.

Meeting attendees complained about tax increases in the midst of the city's diminished snow removal capabilities and other reduced municipal services.  Criticism was also aimed at raises in utility fees, which may grow 9.5 percent annually through 2012.  If this plan were approved, the average residence owner in St. Albert would have to pay an extra $8.06 monthly for utilities next year.  Per Mayor Nolan Crouse, the utility fare hike is necessary to grow the municipal reserve fund that is maintained for sewer and reservoir repairs.

One of St. Albert's reservoirs will need to be totally rebuilt in or around 2020, at a projected cost of $31 million.  George Coon, a St. Albert resident for more than 50 years, advised that during those 50 years, he has seen little success in the city's ability to attract more businesses to attain a tax split of 80/20.  Coon argued that St. Albert is now too pricey for the likes of average citizens, noting that as a retiree, he pays nearly $5,200 in property taxes. 

To learn more about the area please click on St Albert Real Estate - Homes For Sale

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