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Local: History in the making
Commentary by Jeff Burgar
for South Peace News
Those in High Prairie wondering about property taxes may take an interest in the Town’s budget hearings. The meetings began less than two weeks ago.
The actual tax rate, and from that, the actual amount of money property owners have to pay won’t be known until early in the new year. This is because the provincial government gives money to towns and counties. What amount they give is unknown until the Province crunches it’s own budget numbers.
This year, provincial treasurer Lloyd Snelgrove promised “by February at the latest.’’
In the meantime though, local politicians at the M.D. and Town are penciling in numbers. To help with that process, several departments and agencies are asked by the Town to appear and explain their money needs in 2010. Included in this is fire department, library, museum, recreation board and others.
This is notable. It might be the first time in history such groups are requested to appear before either one of our big local governments. Usually, agencies hash out their money ahead of time. Then they submit their proposed budgets to both councils. Any questions from councils are usually asked to, and answered by, the council members appointed to that agency.
So for example, the Recreation Board, which has two councillors each from the M.D. and Town, argues out their budget. When it’s done, they present it to each council.
Usually, it gets rubber stamped. Without singling out the Rec Board, just about any agency starts a few eyes rolling or heads shaking when the numbers are presented. Sometimes a question or two is asked. Then the big stamp comes out and the sweating is over for another year.
In cases like the Rec Board, or even High Prairie town council’s own budget for honorariums and expenses, there is little sweating. High Prairie council will overshoot their own personal budget for meetings and travel by a likely 20 per cent this year.
So far, with barely a head shake or a thank you ma’am.
So, you can come to the meetings. But, there is no law that says budgets have to be followed. The only law is, when you get your tax bill, you have to pay!
Sometimes, meetings aren’t public anyway. Council voted at the last High Prairie Town budget meeting to close it. ]
No matter, this is where the whole ball of wax called property taxes starts.
You may or may not be able to hear the various groups say their pieces or observe deliberations. That’s up to you and the councillors that vote to open, or shut, the doors.
Meetings are this week. Call the HP Town Office at 523-3388 for time and date.
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